The Miracle of Green Tea

Recently so much importance has been given to green tea. Present day research has also revealed the innumerable benefits of green tea in both health and beauty. Just drinking green tea is said to be preferable to any other beverage, due to its high antioxidant content. It contains polyphenols, which are powerful natural antioxidants. These not only have health benefits but actually, help to delay the visible signs of ageing on the skin and hair. The prevent and retard the degeneration caused by oxidation damage.

Drinking green tea daily is a better option because it has great benefits healthwise. For instance, regularly drinking green tea is said to help in losing weight. It increases fat oxidation and eliminates excess levels of water from the body. Green tea is also said to lower cholesterol levels due to the presence of tannins and also lowers blood pressure. However, those who are on medication for such ailments, should not discontinue medication without consulting your doctor.

Another benefit of green tea is its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking green tea actually benefits the teeth and freshens the breath. Green tea mouthwashes are also available. You can make a cup of green tea with one tea bag and wash the mouth with it. You can also make a paste of green tea leaves and mix it with baking soda. Use it on the teeth like tooth powder and also massage the gums with it.

Green tea also has several beauty benefits and can be used very easily as a home beauty treatment. In fact, it is a wonderful skin toner. Take half cup water and bring the water to a boil. Put tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for 2 minutes. Strain and cool the liquid. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin. Leave on. Or, you can dip a tea bag in a cup of hot water. Cool, and use it to tone the skin. You can even mix the liquid with face packs. You can even make the tea-water and keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Use the lotion to tone and refresh the skin. It is also said to soothe sunburn and help acne prone skin. Modern research has also revealed that green tea actually has sunscreen properties, as it helps to prevent free radical damage. Thus, it keeps the skin free of lines and wrinkles for a longer time. Boil 2 to 3 cups of water and add 2 green tea bags. Let it soak for a few minutes. Cool, and apply on the face with cotton wool pads. The remaining liquid may be kept in the fridge.

Since it contains powerful antioxidants, it helps to slow down the manifestation of ageing signs on the skin and protects the skin’s youthful properties. It also keeps the skin healthy and adds a glow.

Green tea, in fact, can be used in many other ways in beauty care. The tea leaves may be mixed with curd and used as a scrub. In fact, ground almonds, green tea, and curd will make a good facial and body scrub. It also makes a useful hair tonic and remedy for scalp conditions like dandruff. Use a green tea bag and a cup of hot water to make green tea hair tonic. You can even add a little lemon juice to it. Apply it on the scalp with cotton wool and leave on for 20 minutes. Green tea is also said to help control hair loss and condition the hair, as it contains Vitamins C and E. It not only restores health to the hair and softens it, but also adds a healthy shine.

It can also be used as a hair rinse after shampoo. Boil 4 to 5 cups of water. Put green tea leaves in a bowl and add the hot water to it. Cool and strain. Add the juice of a lemon and use it as a last rinse after shampoo. In fact, soaking your fingers in green tea helps to add shine to the nails, while tea bags, used as eye pads helps to reduce puffiness and induces relaxation. It is said to help reduce stress. Steep green tea bags in hot water. Allow them to cool and use them as eye pads.

By Shahnaz Husain