Bananas

I’m going to start making lists of clever things that can be done with regular household products.  Most of these I haven’t tested, but I wanted some handy little reference lists for myself and as I compile them, I thought I’d share.  Maybe one day, I’ll get super clever and cross reference them, but for the time being, I’m just going to post the lists and update them if I come across something new.  If you know of any thing that I’ve missed, or have tried one of these suggestions and have something to say about them, please share!

The first one I’ve done is bananas.  Frankly, I’m a little surprised at what I learned about bananas and I clearly am not eating nearly enough of this fantastic fruit!

Banana Peels

•  Bug bites, rashes bruises, scrapes, and scratches – rub to reduce itching and speed healing
• Poison Ivy – rub twice daily to reduce itching
• Warts – tape to it overnight for a week or so
• Teeth whitening – rub on for a few minutes daily
• Splinters – tape over a splinter, the enzymes help dislodge and start the healing process
• Acne – rub over area nightly to reduce inflammation and recurrence, can also help with old scars
• Psoriasis – rub once or twice daily over area
• Headaches – hold a peel over your forehead when it aches
• Wrinkles – regularly rub over forehead and face to moisturize, tighten skin, and reduce lines – Vitamin C fights against free radicals which cause damage to skin and arteries and promote aging
• Leather & silver polish – rub and buff clean with a cloth
• Cooking chicken – keep moist by placing a peel over the top of the breast before cooking
• Gardening – dry up and grind as fertilizer/mulch, chop up and give to plants as food or toss in a compost pile, or just put a peel or whole banana in the ground
• Houseplants – soak a peel in water, use the soaking water for topping off your watering can (1:5).  You can also shine leaves with the inside of a peel
• Aphid deterrent – cut up the peel in small pieces and bury them a few inches into the dirt – don’t use the banana itself or the whole peel, they will attract larger creatures
• Purify water – I guess if you’re trapped in the wilderness, putting a peel in your water supply can help detoxify

Bananas

•  Hangover cure
• Hair conditioner – puree and mix with a little bit of coconut or olive oil, spread into hair and let sit for at least ten minutes before rinsing
• Facemask – smash up a banana and smear it on your face and leave it for a few minutes
• Depression/stress/PMS/nerves/SAD – tryptophan is a mood enhancer and B6 regulates sugar and can be calming
• Tenderizing a roast – add the peeled banana to the pan when you’re cooking, or wrap meat in the leaves
• Constipation – eaten raw
• Diarrhea – eaten boiled
• Birdwatching – overripe bananas and other fruit will attract birds and butterflies, but probably other animals too
• Dog treats
• Temperature control – they may have a cooling effect on pregnant women – so would the same work for menopause?
• Heartburn & ulcers – acid suppressant
• Morning sickness
• Nicotine withdrawal
• Blood pressure control & reducing kidney stones
• Studying – the potassium helps keep us alert
• Anemia
• Egg substitute – I’ve tried it in waffles and it worked great
• Over ripened bananas are good for smoothies and baking because they’re sweeter
• Solid food for babies
• Quick energy boost for athletes – good sugar/carbohydrates
• Stroke prevention
• Bone strengthening/calcium absorption

Bananas have a crap load (that’s the official count) of nutrients and very little sodium or fat which is why they’re great for some of the aforementioned conditions.  They’re high in fiber, potassium, B vitamins, Vitamin C, and lots of minerals.