1) BUDDHA’S HAND TEA is a fragrant, soothing herbal drink made from the Buddha’s Hand fruit, which is almost entirely zest and pith with no juice or pulp. Basically, the whole thing is a peel! It has a delicate floral, lemon-like flavor and is prized for its aromatic, calming qualities. Buddha’s hand has a warm, drying nature and is used to support digestion and relieve cough and phlegm. Because of its warming properties, this tea may not be suitable for everyone, especially with consistent use. Those with excessive internal heat (characterized by symptoms like chronic dryness, night sweats, or irritability) or those who may be pregnant should consult a practitioner. Buddha’s hand tea is naturally caffeine-free (and delicious).
How to Make Buddha’s Hand Tea
Basic Recipe:
- Thinly slice 1—2 "fingers" of Buddha’s hand
- Cover fruit with 2—3 cups of just-boiled water in a pot, teapot, or a canning-safe glass jar
- Steep for 15+ minutes, then strain. Play with the time here and find your ideal sweet spot. Longer steeping times will result in a more fragrant tea; if steeped too long, however, it can begin to take on the aromatics of a cleaning product.
- Enjoy plain or sweeten with honey. I prefer this tea cool or iced. It can also be frozen into ice cubes after steeping and be added to other teas, such as green or mint tea, to add floral-citrus notes.
Enhanced Variations:
- Spiced Tea: Simmer peel with a cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods for a warming blend
- Ginger-Honey Citrus Tea: Add fresh ginger slices and honey for immune support and depth of flavor
Tips
- Always use organic ingredients when making tea. This is especially important for citrus peels, as they are often treated with pesticides when commercially grown.
- Clean citrus fruits in a 1:1 vinegar and water solution before consuming to reduce exposure to pesticides and/or air pollution contaminants.
- You can dry citrus peels for later use. Simply air-dry, use a dehydrator, or bake in the oven on low heat. Store dried peel in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
- Buddha’s hand fruits are often available at specialty grocery stores or Asian markets (during the cooler months)
2) GENTLE ORANGE PEEL FACIAL STEAM is easy, quick, and great for dull winter skin and tired sinuses. Orange peel is not only rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but it boasts a myriad of benefits for the skin. It’s brightening, anti-inflammatory, and may help with oily or acne-prone skin. I suggest sticking to orange peels for this steam, as the pH of citrus peels varies. If you choose to add other herbs to your facial steam, be mindful of what you’re including. Plants in the mint family may be irritating to eyes and warming spices may be too harsh. I prefer to stick to soothing and moistening plants and flowers such as rose, chamomile, lavender, calendula, and marshmallow.
Make the facial steam
- Add a handful of fresh or dried organic orange peels to a large bowl of hot water (you want it to be wider than your head)
- Cover your head with a towel and steam for 5–8 minutes. It works best if you drape the towel over both your head and the bowl to trap in the steam.
- Follow by using a simple facial oil or moisturizer (the Majick face, body, & hair oil is clearly our favorite 😉)
3) CITRUS PEEL CLEANING INFUSION
- Fill a glass jar with (organic) orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, or mandarin peels and cover them with white vinegar. Cubed or sliced pieces of Buddha’s hand also works well.
- Let sit for 2—6 weeks, shaking occasionally. If you use a mason jar with a metal lid, put a piece of wax paper or parchment paper on the jar before closing.
- Strain the mixture
- Dilute the vinegar 1:1 with water. This makes for a beautifully effective, non-toxic surface cleaner that works especially well on oils and grease. You can put the cleaning solution in a spray bottle or a squeeze bottle. (My misters always clog from the essential oils, so I opt for a squeeze bottle. If you have tips on how to avoid the clogged spray nozzles, please let us know your secret!)
Enhanced Variations: To use, simply add fresh or dried herbs (or spices) to your jar before covering with vinegar.
- Rosemary: Known for its antimicrobial properties, adding rosemary may boost the cleaner’s ability to fight germs
- Sage: Offers natural antiseptic qualities and a grounding, earthy fragrance - ideal for kitchen or bathroom surfaces
- Cinnamon sticks & whole cloves: Add warmth and sweetness to the scent while offering antifungal and antibacterial benefits. They pair especially well with orange peels for a spiced citrus blend and may help deter pests like ants.
- Pine Needles: Contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, while adding a fresh, woodsy scent that blends well with citrus. If foraging for pine needles, please do so responsibly (I like to gather them from the fallen branches after a storm).
*Avoid using this cleaner on natural stone (e.g., marble, granite) due to vinegar’s acidity. These herb-infused cleaners not only elevate your home care routine but also support a zero-waste, seasonal approach—perfect for turning kitchen scraps into something meaningful.
4) CITRUS AND CINNAMON SIMMER POTS are one of my favorite ways to use citrus peels. If you’re allergic to artificial fragrances like I am, you likely can’t use candles or commercial home fresheners. Enter: Simmer Pots! A simple, clean, and easy way to freshen your home (without using products that contain potential endocrine disruptors and/or give you headaches). You can use all sorts of herbs and spices for these, so feel free to get creative here! This is a great way to clear old (but good smelling) spices out of your drawer without them going to waste. If you have pets, make sure the herbs you’re choosing are safe for them. *Please note, boiling citrus peels may be irritating to cats.
How to make a simmer pot
- A handful of citrus peel (I love mandarins, so that’s typically what I have on hand)
- 1 cinnamon stick or a few shakes of cinnamon powder
- Water
Place all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer. Make sure to monitor the water levels, adding more water if it gets low. Do not leave unattended, especially around animals or children. When finished (it will last many hours if refilled), strain the liquid into the garbage disposal as a freshener or into a bath as a bath tea. Be mindful of which herbs were used if pouring into a bath- too much cinnamon can be irritating to skin when combined with hot water, and not all herbs are skin safe. Compost the peels and cinnamon sticks.
5) WHEN IN DOUBT, ZEST IT OUT!
If none of the above suggestions a-peel to you (get it?), you can always clean your citrus (in a 1:1 Vinegar and water solution), dry it off, and zest the outer layer. Zest is delicious fresh but can also be frozen or air dried and put in a jar for future use. Zest is delicious in all sorts of foods- from curries, to marinades, to baked goods.
You can also peel the fruit, chop and dry the peels with the pith intact, and add those in soups or teas. The peels are packed with nutrients, so don’t simply throw them out.