Green tea has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, originating in China but widely used throughout Asia! It contains a high amount of antioxidants as well as enzymes, amino acids, and phytochemicals like polyphenols. It also has B vitamins, foliate, manganese, potassium, magnesium and caffeine. In addition to its health benefits, green tea has an impressive list of some amazing uses! Read on to know about it:
TREAT ACNE AND PIMPLES
The catechins in green tea are antibacterial agents that help fight acne-causing bacteria. Catechins even help regulate hormonal imbalances in the body, one of the key causes of acne.
How to use: Mix ¼ cup each of freshly brewed green tea and water. Use a cotton ball to apply this solution on the affected area. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Do this twice daily until you have acne-free skin.
CLEAN GLASS AND MIRRORS
Instead of tossing your green tea bag after you use it, brew it again, and use that weakened tea to clean windows and mirrors. Transfer room temperature tea to a spray bottle and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
REMOVE MAKEUP
Brew stale green tea leaves to use as a makeup and sunscreen remover. Once the tea cools down a little, dip a washcloth in the still-warm liquid and then use it to wipe off the face, hands, and neck. The astringent quality of the tea is great at removing oils and makeup residue, while the washcloth provides exfoliation.
FACE TONER
Green tea works as a natural toner for your skin. It helps draw out impurities, reduce large pores and give your skin a nice healthy glow. It even helps keep your skin hydrated, which is essential for healthy skin.
How to use: Brew 2 cups of green tea and allow it to cool. Add a few drops of any essential oil of your choice. Put the solution in a clean spray bottle. Spray the solution on your face or apply it with a cotton ball twice daily.
KITCHEN ODORS
Preparing fish? Chopping garlic? Rid your hands of the fish or garlic oils by rubbing them with wet green tea leaves, an instant deodorizer. The leaves are also great for deodorizing and cleaning the pan in which you cook fish or garlic. As well, rub wet tea leaves on cutting boards to remove odours there.
DEODORANT
Pour cooled green tea into a spray bottle and mist it under your underarms to combat armpit odor. It’s a cheap and effective way to battling the effects of heat.
GREASY STAINS AND SPILLS
The astringent quality of green tea makes it a natural to clean up greasy mirrors and windows or anything that has smudges or fingerprints. Green tea is terrific when used to mop hardwood floors or clean wooden furniture.
How to use: use about two teabags per gallon of water and steep for a long time. Mop the floor with this solution.
Note: Just be sure to do a patch test on an innocuous spot first to make sure it won’t strip the finish. Better to be safe than sorry.
TREAT DARK UNDER EYE CIRCLES
Brewed tea bags are great for treating undereye circles. Simply save your used tea bags and place them over your eyes for five to ten minutes while you lie down, or you can dip cotton pads in brewed green tea and use them the same way.
CLEAN YOGA MAT
One great way to clean yoga mats is to wash them in water with diluted green tea. It’ll help keep them smelling fresh.
REFRESH CARPETS
Sprinkle dry tea leaves onto your carpet, crush them lightly and let them sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum. This will refresh your carpet and deodorize your vacuum cleaner and bag.