Tea Is Not Just For Drinking, You Can Do Much More With It!

Written by Reshmi AR  • 

Among other things we cannot live without, tea tops the list. At least for me, I can’t kick-start my day without a cuppa. And even as the debate over the goodness of drinking this popular beverage rages on, I just discovered many other ways to use tea. Would you believe if I told you that tea could be used to improve your hair and skin health? Can’t wait to know more? Let’s dive right in…

  •  Clears Your Skin
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 The worst thing about acne is it leaves a mark that isn’t easy to get rid of. For a person like me who prefers natural remedies, it won’t be wrong to say that the options are limited. But wait, here’s something I found — jasmine tea can do wonders to clear the skin. The antimicrobial properties of the tea can eliminate the pimple-causing bacteria. Brew jasmine tea and let it cool. Apply the same over the affected area. The tea will not only soak up excess oil from the skin but also ensure your skin’s pH levels are balanced.

  •  Is An Excellent Scrub
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 In one of my earlier articles, I discussed why apricot and walnut scrub might not be safe for the skin. I mean, yes, it is good to exfoliate the skin. But, at times, the sharp edges could damage the delicate surface of your skin. So, here’s an alternate option. Most of us these days are hooked to green tea. We can’t do without it as we think it flushes away the toxins and blah blah. (I am neither confirming nor denying this!) Nevertheless, if you are one of those who swears by green tea, I suggest you don’t throw away those tea bags after use. Just open the bag and dry the tea in the sun. Once done, use the same to scrub your face and see the change for yourself.

  • Eliminates Puffy Eyes
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If all the home remedies to banish the puffiness around your eyes have failed, here’s a natural remedy that’s guaranteed to work (at least, it did for me). Want a quick fix ? Place used tea bags on your eyes for a couple of minutes. You will see a visible difference for sure.

  • Fights Sweaty Feet
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Summers can be the worst time for foot care. This applies to especially those who wear closed shoes. With no air to breathe, your feet get all sweaty and begin to stink. This is where black tea can help. Add cold brewed tea to a tub of water (3:1 proportion) and soak your feet in this. The tannic acid present in the tea not only kills germs but also cleans your feet, thereby preventing them from smelling.

  • Treats Sunburns 
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If your skin has turned red after a walk in the harsh sun, here’s a way to reduce the inflammation. Place used tea bags in the refrigerator. Use them as cold compresses on the affected area. The tannins in the black tea not only relieve the itching sensation but also soothe the sunburn.

  • Makes Your Skin Glow
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If you thought green tea had the most antioxidants, you were wrong. The whiter version, which is less processed, takes the crown. Drinking white tea can protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. I will tell you another way to use this to improve your skin health. Brew the tea and make a paste of the soft boiled leaves. Let this mixture cool. Apply it all over your face, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then wash it off. Is your skin glowing? Now you know why!

  • Is An Astringent
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After I realized I was lactose intolerant, I was deprived of my daily dose of tea. That’s when someone told me I could enjoy my tea without milk too. How? Black tea! I just learned that black tea could also be used as an astringent, particularly by those with oily skin. The astringents available in the market contain alcohol, so I thought why not use a natural product that not just absorbs excess oil but also cleans the dirt? All I had to do was dip a ball of cotton in cool black tea and wipe it across my face.

  • Makes Your Hair Color Last Longer
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Whenever I went to my beautician for a henna application (this was before I started using hair color), I would see her adding tea decoction to the mehndi. I often wondered if she had any sense of what she was doing. Soon, I realized she knew exactly what she was doing, and I must admit, she was right. Adding a cup of tea decoction to your henna can ensure the color stays for longer. Wow! This sure was an eye-opener!

  • Is A Good Skin Toner
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Those who religiously follow the CTM skin routine must have experimented with all kinds of toners. For those clueless souls, lemme clarify — it’s Cleansing, Toning, and Moisturizing. Every person desiring beautiful skin must follow this. Back to what I was saying, here’s a natural substitute for your chemical-laden toner that often makes your skin go dry. The next time, use green tea, which will not only reverse the damage caused by free radicals but also lend a glow to your skin by fading out acne scars. What more can you ask for?

  • Can Give You Kissable Lips
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I already told you how to treat sunburns with tea. You can use the same to soothe dry lips too. Place a warm tea bag on your mouth. This will hydrate flaky skin and treat chapped lips.

  • As A Hair Rinse
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Scared of washing your hair due to fear of hair fall? Here’s your go-to solution to prevent that. Cooled black tea can be used as a hair cleanser to clear product build-up. It will keep your hair clean while lending a shine to your crowning glory.

So, before you trash your used tea bags, think of the ways you could use them to better your skin and hair.

Do you know of any other ways to use tea other than as a drink? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Also, let us know your experiences after trying these methods.

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