10 Amazing Uses for Banana Peels

Most people think that the banana peel is just nature’s packaging for those delicious bananas we all love so much. In reality, the banana peel has a whole list of alternative uses, other than just being the catalyst for a cartoonish fall, or an effective defensive weapon in Mario Cart. Here are 10 uses for banana peels that you might have never even thought of.

1) Relieve Bug Bites:
Rubbing a banana peel on bug bites will reduce the itching. This is not proven scientifically, but banana peels are full of polysaccharides that draw fluid from the bite. Some people believe that rubbing the banana peel helps to relieve the itching and swelling of mosquito bites.

2) Shoe Polish:
Have a leather shoe? Well rub your shoe with the banana peel and then rub it with a soft cloth. Banana peels, just like commercial shoe polish, are full of potassium.

3) Cure Bruises:
With restorative properties, banana peels can cure bruises in your skin. Just rub the banana peel on a bruise and watch them fade.

4) Whiten Teeth:
Tired of trying different toothpaste brands for teeth whitening? Well, try rubbing a banana peel on your teeth and you will start seeing the changes in a few weeks. The potassium in banana peels is thought to help whiten your teeth. Do it for a couple of minutes every day, you still have to brush your teeth to remove the banana residue. The combination of plaque-reducing, astringent salicylic acid, and gently bleaching citric acid in banana peels will do the job of making your teeth shiny as pearls.

5) Tenderize Meat:
Adding a banana peel to your pan when you simmer meat can not only add flavor but the acids in the banana act as a natural tenderizer.

6) Healing Rashes:
Banana peels are great for relieving itches and rashes. Again, the astringent qualities of the acids in a banana peel work like a natural cleaning pad.

7) Cures Headaches:
Have a headache? In some cultures, headaches are cured by holding a banana peel to your forehead. Whether it is a placebo effect or not, it apparently works.

8) Polish Leather:
Banana peels not only polish your leather shoes, you can use it to polish leather jackets and bags. Many people use banana peels to polish their leather furniture, as well. Remember to rub the residue off with a soft cloth.

9) Remove Splinters:
Again a useful home remedy. Just cover the splinter with a banana peel and leave it in place for 30 minutes to an hour. The enzymes in the peel will seep in and soften the skin, which allows the splinter to come right out.

10) Remove Ink Stains From Skin:
We all get ink on our hands from time to time. Instead of using harsh chemicals or soaps, rub a banana peel on the ink spot and the natural oils in the peel will weaken the ink’s bond with the skin. Then you can just use water to wash the remaining ink away.

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