Dragon fruit skin is not commonly consumed as part of the fruit, but if you’re wondering what to do with it, it has a range of potential uses. These include use as a natural fabric dye, a cosmetics ingredient for skincare products, a natural skin remedy, a food dye and flavor additive, and to wrap foods to preserve their freshness. The skin of dragon fruit contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, making it useful for health and beauty purposes.
What You'll Learn Today
Are There Any Uses For Dragon Fruit Skin?
Dragon fruit skin, which is the exterior layer or rind, is not usually consumed. However, it can be used in several different ways, including:
- As a natural dye: The pigments in Dragon fruit skin can be used as a natural dye for fabrics. It produces a range of vibrant colors.
- As a cosmetic ingredient: The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in dragon fruit skin make it an effective cosmetics and skincare ingredient. It can be used for face masks, scrubs, and moisturizers to help brighten and nourish the skin.
- As a natural remedy: The skin has been used in traditional medicine for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be applied topically to help treat skin conditions such as acne, rashes, and infections.
- As a food additive: By grinding the skin into a powder, it can be used as a food additive to give both color and flavor to dishes. It’s also suitable for adding to smoothies, baked goods, and other sweet or savory recipes.
- As a food wrap: In some cultures, the leaves of the dragon fruit plant are used as a food wrap to help preserve the freshness of the food. The skin of the fruit can also be used in a similar manner, although it is less commonly used than the leaves.
Can You Eat The Skin Of A Dragon Fruit?
While the flesh of the dragon fruit is edible, the skin is tough, and its texture is not particularly appealing to eat.
However, there are some health benefits to consuming the skin of dragon fruit. It contains various antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and carotenoids, which protect against oxidative stress and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease or cancer. It also contains fiber, which is essential for good digestive health and regulating blood sugar levels.
It’s worth noting that consuming dragon fruit skin in moderation is generally safe, but it’s important to be aware that some dragon fruits may have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
Ingesting pesticides can be harmful if consumed in large enough amounts. If you’d like to try eating the skin, it’s best to choose organic produce to minimize exposure to these chemicals.
How Do You Cook Dragon Fruit Skin?
Cooking the skin will help to make it more digestible, but it might still be unpleasant to eat due to its texture. If you’d like to experiment with cooking dragon fruit skin, here’s a simple recipe for you to try:
- Wash the skin of the dragon fruit and remove any dirt or debris.
- Cut the skin into small pieces, about 1-2 inches in size.
- Boil these in a pot of water for 10-15 minutes or until they become soft and pliable.
- Drain the skin and place it into a food processor or blender.
- Process the skin until it becomes a smooth puree.
- Mix the pureed skin with other ingredients, such as fruit or vegetables, to create a smoothie or juice.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
It’s important to note that cooking dragon fruit skin may not make it more digestible for everyone, as individual digestive systems can vary.
Some people could experience digestive discomfort after consuming the skin, so it’s best to proceed cautiously and listen to your body.
Can You Use Dragon Fruit Skin On Your Face?
Dragon fruit skin is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which makes it a potential ingredient in some homemade beauty products.
It’s essential to always do a skin patch test before applying any homemade product to your face.
Here are some recipes for you to try using dragon fruit skin as an ingredient:
Dragon Fruit Skin Exfoliating Scrub:
This easy-to-make, natural exfoliating scrub helps remove dead skin and diminish imperfections.
- In an electric coffee grinder or pestle and mortar, grind ½ a dragon fruit skin down as much as possible.
- Put the skin and 1/2 a ripe avocado into a blender and blend well.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar and blend again for around a minute to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
- Place the mixture into a clean bowl.
- Using thoroughly washed fingers, gently massage the mixture onto your face in gentle circular motions. Focus most on rough patches or areas with dead skin, such as the nose, chin, and forehead.
- Leave the mixture on for a couple of minutes while you relax.
- Rinse off thoroughly using lukewarm water.
- Pat the face dry using a clean towel.
- Your skin should be soft and smooth.
Dragon Fruit Calming Skin Mask:
I love a good mask; it’s a great way to give you some time to relax and unwind. This one leaves the skin feeling beautifully soft.
- Place 1/2 a dragon fruit skin and 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt into a blender and blend on high for several minutes until they are well incorporated.
- Mix in a tablespoon of honey and blend again for a few moments until it is combined.
- This can be a bit messy, so you might want to use a clean spatula, or if you’re not bothered by a little goo, just use clean fingertips to apply the mixture to your face.
- Leave the mask on for between 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
- Skin should look less red and soothed.
Dragon Fruit Skin Moisturizer:
Want soft, moisturized skin with as few ingredients as possible? Try out this moisturizer.
- Take 1/2 a dragon fruit skin and blend it thoroughly with a 1/4 cup of coconut oil until the two ingredients are thoroughly combined. You can put the skin into an electric coffee grinder or use a pestle and mortar first to make it even finer.
- Add one teaspoon of jojoba oil to the mixture and blend again for around 30 seconds.
- Put the mixture into a sterilized, airtight jar, and it will keep for several weeks in a cool place.
- Use the mixture by applying a small amount to your face as a moisturizer and gently massaging it in with clean fingers.
Everyone’s skin is unique. Some people may have an adverse reaction when using dragon fruit peel. No matter what your skin type, it’s always best to do a patch test first.
Only use high-quality, organic ingredients to ensure no pollutants could cause adverse skin reactions or be toxic. That way, you can be sure your skin is getting the best care possible.
In this video, see another way of making a fresh dragon fruit skin face mask.
Recipes For Using Dragon Fruit Skin As A Natural Dye
If you have some old natural fabric (cotton, linen, etc.) that is white or cream and you’d like to turn it a vibrant red, then you can try using skin as a natural dye.
Be aware that this can get pretty messy! Ensure you wear protective gear, including rubber gloves, eye goggles, and old clothing you don’t mind getting stained.
Here are some recipes for you to try out:
Dragon Fruit Skin Fabric Dye:
If you’ve got some old white cotton sheets or some white clothing that has started to gray, then using a natural dye to give them some extra life can be a fun thing to try.
- Boil one gallon (16 cups) of water and add 4 to 8 dragon fruit skins. The more you use, the stronger the dye.
- Allow it to simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water turns a deep red.
- Once you’ve achieved a strong enough color, remove the skin and add clean, wet fabric to the dye bath. You can color equal parts of fabric to dye.
- Let it soak for at least 30 minutes giving it the occasional thorough stir for even dye distribution, and remove it from the dye once the desired color is reached.
- Rinse the fabric in cool water and let it air dry.
- To help fix the color into the fabric for longer, fill a bucket with clean water and add 1 cup of table salt and 2 cups of white vinegar. Place the material into the mixture and let it soak up as much as possible.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool, clean water and air dry.
- Your fabric is ready to use.
- Don’t wash fabrics colored with natural dye with other colors.
- Only ever use a cool wash and a very gentle detergent.
- Avoid drying in the sun, as this will bleach the color quicker.
- Over time, the color will naturally fade, but this can also be quite beautiful.
Dragon Fruit Skin Yarn Dye:
It’s often possible to pick up some old yarn at a yard sale, and if it’s white, or a very pale color, you can try dying it with natural dye.
- Start by boiling three cups of water. Add the skins of two dragon fruits.
- Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water turns a deep red, then remove the dragon fruit skins.
- Add one cup of white vinegar and two skeins of natural white yarn (wool, cotton) and mix them around well. Allow the yarn to soak for 30 minutes or until the desired color is achieved. It’s best to mix it often using a wooden or plastic spoon to ensure an even color is achieved.
- Rinse the yarn thoroughly in cool water and hang it to air dry.
- Your yarn is now ready to use.
- Remember not to wash the finished garment or item with other colors as it could stain them.
- Try to dry away from direct sunlight to avoid bleaching.
- Over time, the color will start to fade naturally. Embrace this, and love it all the more for it.
Dragon Fruit Skin Easter Egg Dye:
The kids love making colored Easter Eggs, and this dye is a perfect way to do it.
- Start by boiling a cup of water and add 3-4 pieces of skin.
- Allow it to simmer for 15-20 minutes until you’ve achieved a lovely deep red.
- Take the dragon fruit skins out of the water (must be done by an adult) and let the dye cool to room temperature.
- Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the dye bath.
- Hard boil some eggs or blow the insides out and fill them with some Plaster of Paris.
- Dip your eggs into the dye bath and let them soak until the desired color is reached.
- Remove the eggs and allow them to air dry before adding further decoration as desired.
You can adjust these recipes to make larger or smaller batches, depending on the dye you need. Additionally, try experimenting with the quantity of dragon fruit skin you use to achieve different shades of red.
Home Remedy Recipes For Dragon Fruit Skin
Dragon fruit skin has been used for its medicinal properties and can form a part of a natural home remedy for various health issues. Here are a few ideas for recipes using dragon fruit skin:
Dragon Fruit Skin Tea for Digestion:
We all have digestive upsets from time to time, and drinking this tea could help.
- Start by chopping up ¼ of a dragon fruit skin into thin strips. Boil one cup of water and add the skin to it.
- Allow the skin to simmer gently for around 15 minutes and to infuse the water with all its beneficial properties.
- Strain the tea and add a little honey to taste.
- Aid digestion by drinking the tea after meals.
Dragon Fruit Skin Poultice for Inflammation:
It’s common to suffer from small amounts of inflammation caused by a slight injury such as a splinter or cut. To draw out any minor infection, you can try using a poultice.
- Add four pieces of dragon fruit skin to a cup of boiling water.
- Allow it to simmer for 20 minutes.
- Carefully remove the skin and let the liquid cool to a comfortable, warm temperature.
- Soak a sterile gauze pad or clean cloth with the liquid and apply it gently to the affected area.
- Cover with saran wrap, plastic, or tin foil to keep in the heat.
- Leave the poultice on for around half an hour to an hour and repeat 2-3 times a day until the swelling has gone.
Keep in mind that this should only be used for minor injuries, as infection can spread very quickly and be life-threatening if not treated soon enough. It is always safest to seek professional medical advice.
Soothing Dragon Fruit Skin Bath Soak:
Nothing feels better than a lovely soak in a warm bath. If you have irritated skin, then adding some dragon fruit water may help to soothe that irritation.
- Cut a dragon fruit skin into pieces and add it to two cups of boiling water.
- Allow this to simmer for 20 minutes until all of the beneficial properties of the dragon fruit skin have been infused into the water.
- Remove the skin from the liquid carefully and add it to a bathtub filled with warm water.
- Check that the temperature is perfect before getting in, then soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes and repeat two or three times a week.
You can adjust these recipes based on individual needs and use them in combination with other natural remedies for the best results.
However, remember that these home remedies are not scientifically proven and should never be used as a substitute for conventional medical treatment.
Conclusion
The skin of dragon fruit has a range of potential uses, from natural dye and cosmetic ingredient to food additive and natural remedy.
While it’s not typically consumed with the rest of the fruit, it may offer several benefits for both health and beauty.
Health benefits include its levels of beneficial antioxidants and fiber. However, it is quite tough and leathery, with a texture that’s not especially appealing to eat, although that can be overcome by adding it to smoothies or other foods.
Non-organic fruits may contain high levels of chemicals from pesticides or other treatments. If you’re considering consuming the skin, it’s safest to do so in moderation and choose only organic produce to minimize exposure to potential toxins.
There are lots of fun recipes you can try, as there’s more to do with the skin than just eating it. How about making some dye or a beauty product?
Discover more articles about dragon fruit and how to grow it on our website.
