What should be noted when using lemon peel to not harm the body?

Surprising health benefits of lemon peel

Although lemon peels are often thrown away, research shows that they offer a variety of health benefits. Their fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant content can support dental, immune, and cardiovascular health. They may even have some anti-cancer properties.

Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, MD, PhD, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Campus 3, said that lemon peel contains a large amount of fiber and vitamin C, providing 9% of the daily value in just 1 tablespoon (6 grams). In addition, it also contains small amounts of calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Additionally, lemon peel is rich in antioxidants, including D-limonene and vitamin C.

Intake of flavonoid antioxidants like D-limonene has been linked to a reduced risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The vitamin C in lemon peel acts as a powerful antioxidant and likewise helps boost immune health.

Lemon peel extract may also boost the immune system due to its flavonoid and vitamin C content.

Research also shows that compounds such as flavonoids, vitamin C and pectin - the main fiber in lemon peel - can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity... Pectin in lemon peel can also reduce cholesterol levels by increasing the excretion of bile acids produced by the liver and binding to cholesterol.

According to Dr. Vu, lemon peel may have some anti-cancer properties. For example, flavonoid intake has been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, and vitamin C may promote the growth of white blood cells, which help eliminate mutated cancer cells.

D-limonene may also have anti-cancer properties, particularly against stomach cancer. One test-tube study found that the compound helped kill stomach cancer cells. However, lemon peel should not be considered a treatment or cure for cancer.

Some studies suggest that D-limonene may help treat gallstones, although more research is needed on this use of lemon peel.

Some remedies from lemon peel

Below are some effective remedies combined from lemon peel and many other benign medicinal herbs that you can refer to according to Dr. Vu:

- Cough remedy: 10gr lemon root and bark, 10gr mulberry root bark, 8gr thuja leaves, chopped and fried until golden brown. Next, boil the mixture with 200ml of water until the water is reduced to 50ml, then strain the water and use it during the day.

Second way: 12gr lemon peel, 10gr yellow flower sorrel leaves, 8gr chives leaves, 8gr river bone leaves, 5gr bitter melon seeds, 2gr alum, boil to get water to drink. Before drinking, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar to make it easier to drink.

- Treating toothache and cavities: Ingredients include 12g fresh lemon peel, 10g hybrid bark, 10g wild eggplant root, 10g canarium bark. Put the ingredients in a pot and boil until the solution is concentrated. Each time you use it, hold a sip in your mouth for about 5-10 minutes then spit it out to treat toothache.

- Cure headaches and flu: Boil medicine including 50gr lemon leaves, 50gr lemon peel, 50gr bamboo leaves, 50gr grapefruit leaves, 50gr basil, 50gr chrysanthemum, 20gr mint, 3 cloves garlic, 2 lemongrass stalks. When the pot of medicine boils and gives off a fragrant smell, steam your body to sweat a lot and relieve the flu.

What to note when using lemon peel?

However, Dr. Vu also advises that just because lemon peel has good uses, it does not mean that you can abuse remedies made from lemon peel.

Using too much lemon peel can face the risk of forming kidney stones. The reason for this is because the oxalate content in lemon peel is quite high, when introduced into the body, it will transform into crystalline form. These crystals prevent the body from absorbing calcium, thereby forming kidney stones.

Therefore, to be safer, you should consult your doctor to know the dosage of the medicine suitable for your condition.