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Banana is a long and narrow edible fruit mostly consumed by billions of inhabitants in this world on daily basis. Banana is one of the abundant fruits habouring mind-blowing nutritions that we are all aware of ; but did you know that the banana peels are just as nutritional as the food itself? You will learn about that as you keep on reading.
Before we get to know the amazing works banana peels can do, let us get to know which kind of banana peels we are talking of.
There are two kinds of bananas that habitually goad many to mistaken one for the other. In many countries, especially Ghana, bananas are cooked before consumption – this kind of banana is referred as plantain. Plantain is hard and mostly green in colour unlike the other one.
We also know of the banana that is riped and yellowish in colour, soft and eaten raw unlike plantain. This banana fruit is liked and eaten by billion of people on the earth, and the peels, unfortunately, are deemed useless and gotten rid of. If we knew what this banana peel contain, we would begin to store them in a designated place and harness them.
I purposely chose to write this article for many to come to know of this rare knowledge that has been hidden from us since time memorial. Seeing these peels disposed on the floor by people and also me, triggered me to make a research about whether these banana peels have any purpose. And in the course of my research ; I found out that these banana peels can be used as fertilizers.
The banana peels contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus and other minerals that plants crave for its growth. It also contains carbohydrates, high in vitamin B6 and B12 which are good for the body. The sugar content of banana peels become high when they are dried.
In this article, I will show you how to make good use of these peels in nine amazing ways :
1. Compost
Banana peels are used as compost by most farmers and other people to grow their plants and crops. The peels should be mixed into a compost pile ; you can also throw these banana peels at the sides of the plant, these peels will decompose on the surface and the nutrients will drain right down to the soil for the plant consumption – this decomposition could take three to four weeks.
The peels will disperse minerals like potassium and calcium to the plant which are exceptionally good for the development of the root and also good for the overall plant’s health.
2. Teeth Whitening
Banana peels that most of us throw away are used by other people to whiten their teeth. According to a 2015 study, banana peels have demonstrated antibacterial activity against actinomycetemcomitans and gingivalis – these bacteria are responsible for periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Practitioners of natural healing say rubbing banana peel on your teeth for a week is good for the gum and teeth and also whiten the teeth.
3. To Make Compost Tea
Yes, banana peels can be used to make tea – not the ordinary tea we drink. Alternatively, some people choose to use compost tea instead of compost pile to feed their crops. To make this tea, take a bucket full of water and add the banana peels to it ; you wait for couple of days to get your compost tea.
You mix one part of the banana peel “compost tea” with five parts of fresh water and feed this mixture full of minerals to your plants about once a week. This mixture will give phosphorus and potassium to your plants for them to grow stronger.
4. Used As Fertilizer
In this unfavorable and insufferable economy, fertilizers have become expensive and procuring one would make you go bankrupt.
There are many natural fertilizers one can tend to, to grow their plants efficiently, and the one I recommend is banana dried peels.
Oh yes, I was also amazed when I learnt this but it is more effective. Get dried banana peels, grind them into the best granular form and add this directly to the soil ; or you can sprinkle this natural fertilizer at the sides of the plant ; or you incorporate it to the dirt gently.
5. As First Aid
It is suggested that because banana peels contain antimicrobial, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, one can relief himself of the irritating itch from sunburn, poison ivy rush, or bug bite by pressing the peel on the affected side.
6. Reduces Headache Pain
Because banana peels contain abundant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidants properties, one can use the peels to relief himself from the pain. Take a two frozen peels and place one on your forehead and the other on the back of your neck.
7. Removes Pimples And Acne
Pimples can destroy the facial beauty of attractive ladies and men ; some ladies go to the extent of staying indoors because of pimples growing on their faces.
Using the peels of banana, that you usually throw away, is one of the few natural ways to get rid of these stubborn pimples. Rub the white part of the peel on your face everyday ; or you can leave the peels on your face overnight and take them off the next morning – make sure to wash your face after taking them off. Keep on applying till the pimples vanish ; it is also used for the treatment of acne.
8. Reduces Wrinkles
Yes, you read it right ; it reduces wrinkles. The banana peels we see to be useless help to keep our skin hydrated. You see young ladies and men growing wrinkles on their beautiful faces and you wonder if they have no means to get rid of the wrinkles ; however, it is the aged that grow wrinkles.
To use banana peels to remove wrinkles, add egg yolk to a mashed peel and apply on your face ; you wash it off after five minutes.
9. Polish
Banana peels are used to polish shoes, leather and silver articles to make them look brighter. So don’t stress yourself if you don’t have polish to brighten up your school shoe; banana peels are there for you, just rub them on your shoes and there you go.
Hope that these amazing uses of banana peels will put a stop to our bad habit of throwing away the peels anytime we are eating banana. Don’t keep this knowledge only to yourself, share it to your friends and family members also.
