Banana Peels: More Than Just A Prank Tool

Many people grew up setting traps by putting banana peels on the floor so that unsuspecting friends would slip and fall. Not nice at all! Anyway, now that we have all outgrown such childish games, does iy mean banana peels are now good for nothing? From what I hear, banana peels are way more useful than you give them credit for. Check out these uses you never knew:

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) 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.

6) 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.

7) 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.

8) 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.

Please note that it won't do to put away banana peels in your fridge. They work better for these home remedies when fresh, besides, you really don't want a pile of peels that will rot fast sitting in your fridge!

Banana Uses via Iheartintelligence.com

Cover image via Knowyourmemes.com