By NUL Innovation Hub
A Nutrition student at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), Retšepile Thekiso, says the peels of onion, lemon, and ginger—the parts we usually throw away—can be used for more than just compost! “These peels are packed with beneficial compounds. Instead of discarding them as waste, I used them to create a tea that help manage weight and improve health,” she said.
She calls her creation Morali Extract Tea, a natural, health-promoting herbal infusion made by drying and blending onion, lemon, and ginger—including their peels!
Retšepile developed this idea to address two serious problems in Lesotho: the growing burden of obesity and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer—and the food waste crisis.
“People are throwing away the most valuable parts of these ingredients,” she said. “The peels have powerful natural compounds that fight disease, boost metabolism, and help regulate weight—but most people don’t know this.”
And so the idea of Morali Extract Tea was born.
Here’s how it happens.
First, Rets’epile carefully collects fresh onion, lemon, and ginger—including their peels. She washes them thoroughly to remove dirt and harmful residues. Then she dries them at 105°C to lock in the nutrients. After drying, she crushes them into a fine powder, ready to be brewed into tea.
And this is not just ordinary tea.
The peels contain bioactive compounds rarely found in such high concentration in the edible parts of these plants.
Onion peels, for example, are rich in quercetin and kaempferol—substances that reduce inflammation, fight harmful free radicals in the body, improve blood sugar levels, and help burn fat.
Lemon peels are packed with hesperidin and d-limonene. These help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, support the immune system, and may even reduce appetite.
And ginger peels contain compounds called gingerols and shogaols—which are famous for fighting inflammation, improving digestion, and stimulating the body’s natural fat-burning process (thermogenesis).
Retšepile said, “When you combine these ingredients, you get a tea that doesn’t just taste good—it supports your body’s metabolism, helps control weight, and reduces the risk of serious diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. And you’re using parts of food that are usually wasted!”
“It’s about the circular economy,” she said. “Instead of throwing away useful food parts, we give them a second life as a health product. This reduces waste and creates business opportunities.”
And what about taste?
Rets’epile said that early tasters of the tea liked its fresh, herbal aroma and mild, slightly spicy flavour. “The combination of lemon and ginger gives it a nice warmth,” she added. “And the onion taste is subtle—not overpowering.”
But there are some challenges she overcame.
For example, drying the peels must be done carefully to preserve the nutrients. If they are overheated, the valuable bioactive compounds could be destroyed. Retšepile worked hard to find the right drying temperature and time to keep the good stuff intact.
Another challenge is ensuring a consistent taste and quality—because the strength of these natural ingredients can vary depending on where and when they are grown.
Because this tea focuses on boosting metabolism rather than forcing quick weight loss, it avoids the risks of some commercial weight-loss products. Many slimming teas rely on laxatives or harsh stimulants.
Morali Extract Tea gently supports the body’s natural processes—making weight management healthier and more sustainable.
