Normally, when you eat a fruit or use it to compose a recipe, people tend to separate the edible part , called the pulp, from what is supposedly not useful , such as leafy vegetable stalks or peels. Most of the time, the destination of these leftovers is the garbage .

What most people don’t know is that some of these items are immensely nutritious, sometimes even more than the portion chosen to ingest. There are several recipes that can avoid waste and still reuse these “ leftovers” rich in nutrients .

A practical way to reuse these fragments is to prepare a delicious and beneficial  tea . Know some of these recipes, their benefits and how to prepare them :

Teas with fruit peels and stalks

Tea with orange peel

The Orange , one of the most cherished fruits of Brazilians, is also one of the fastest are poorly utilized . In addition to the rind , many people just chew the fruit until all the juice comes out and discard the bagasse , which is a great source of fiber .

Mainly known for being a source of vitamin C, oranges are also rich in vitamins A, the B complex (B1, B2, B3) and several minerals (calcium, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium). Thanks to these nutrients, oranges can be used to prevent and help treat flu , coughs , anemia , rheumatism and even epilepsy .

Orange peel tea also has calming , analgesic, tonic, diuretic properties and may be able to help regulate the intestinal tract and menstrual flow .

Ingredients

  • 2 medium orange peels;
  • 750 ml (3 cups of tea) of water;
  • Sugar, sweetener or honey to taste (optional).

Method of preparation

Because they are thick skins, the process that should be adopted is the decoction , that is, place the water and the orange skins together in a recipient that can go to the fire and let it boil for about 30 minutes . After that, just strain and serve. To make the drink even more delicious, just add something to make it sweeter. You can drink up to three cups a day .

See also:  Sour orange leaf tea treats depression and diarrhea

Lettuce Stalk Tea

One of the most consumed vegetables in the world, lettuce is one of the most common foods in Brazilian dishes at lunchtime. Because it has a slightly bitter taste, some people do not eat the stalk of these leaves . But these branches are as nutritious and beneficial as the portion that is normally consumed.

This legume has a caloric deficit (about 15 calories per 100 grams), it is a great source of vitamins (A, B6, B12, C and D), as well as several minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and sodium) and fibers . 

What many do not know is that lettuce, especially its stalk, has  lactucin , a substance that acts as a sedative and sleep aid , which makes the vegetable a great ally to fight insomnia or simply to promote a better night’s sleep .

Ingredients

  • Stalks of two lettuce leaves;
  • 250 ml (1 cup of tea) of water;
  • Sugar, sweetener or honey to taste (optional).

Method of preparation

Heat the water in a saucepan or teapot and leave on medium heat until it starts to boil. After that, turn off the stove, add the lettuce stalks and cover the container for about 20 minutes, so that the water has all the beneficial properties of the lettuce. After that, just strain and drink it before bed.

The ideal is to drink the tea without sweetening it , as glucose, as it offers energy to the body, can cut part of the sleeping effect of the drink.

apple peel tea

The peel of the apple is perhaps the least missed the list since many people do not mind eating it. However, there are those who prefer to peel the fruit, either to consume it fresh or to use its pulp to make pies and sweets.

Like its pulp, apple peel has vitamin A, several of the B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9) and vitamin C. It is also a source of minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and zinc) and substances such as  pectin and ursolic acid , which makes the fruit a great ally against obesity and heart-friendly , as it is great for keeping cholesterol and glucose levels balanced .

Apple peel tea also works as a natural digestive  and its high amount of antioxidants makes the drink combat premature aging of hair and skin .

Ingredients

  • 750 ml (3 cups of tea) of water;
  • Peels of two big apples;
  • 2 pieces of cinnamon (optional);
  • Sugar, sweetener or honey to taste (optional).

Method of preparation

Just like orange peel tea, place the peels along with the water in a container and bake until it starts to boil. Turn off the heat, if you want to make the drink more delicious, add pieces of cinnamon. Cover the pot or teapot and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Drink no more than three cups of tea a day