- The fruit’s skin can be just as beneficial as the banana itself
- You can whiten teeth, removing splinters and even soothe a headache
- The skin also helps keep chicken moist and makes plants grow quicker
Full of potassium and essential vitamins, bananas are one of the most nutrient-rich foods around.
But did you know that the fruit’s skin can be just as beneficial as the banana itself?
Indeed, the peel of a banana has a plethora of quirky uses – including whitening your teeth, removing splinters, curing acne and even soothing a headache.
Wise Bread tested the best ways to make the most of banana peels – and they’ll surprise you.
There’s some bizarre but brilliant alternative uses for banana peels – including boosting your garden and enhancing your skin
Teeth whitening: Rubbing the banana peel over your teeth for a few minutes before brushing every day can help make them gleam in the space of a few weeks.
Beat warts and splinters: Tape a banana peel over your wart for a week; not only will it banish it but it will also stop it coming back.
As for dislodging pesky splinters, the enzymes help remove them and speed up the healing process.
Beat acne and wrinkles: The vitamins and minerals in the banana peel soothes inflammation and irritated skin. Rub a peel over your skin every night and you should notice a clearer complexion in just a few days.
The same is also said for wrinkles with claims that the peel can help tighten ageing skin.
Soothe headaches: If you’re struck with a migraine, placing a cool banana peel across your forehead can work wonders.
Polish your goods: Rubbing a peel across your shoes, leather clothes and silver can make it shine and look as good as new.
Cooking up a storm: In Asian kitchens, banana leaves are used to enhance flavours. One of the simplest ways to keep your chicken nice and moist is by placing a banana peel on top of each breast when you roast it.
Boost your garden: Dry out your banana peels and grind them in the food processor before sprinkling over your soil and flowers as a fertilizer.