Other Uses Of Green Tea
Considering the many ways green tea is beneficial to human health one might
think the power of this ancient herb is limited only to assisting the mind
and body, but it can in fact be put to many other good uses. One of the more common and
frequently used ideas is using green tea as a dye for the colouring of fabrics.
This is an ancient Japanese tradition dating back many centuries and is
still used today as a method for permanently dyeing fabrics. With its potent
antibacterial qualities green tea also has some unique powers in dealing with a range
of common skin complaints. These include relieving the swelling and itchiness of
insect bites to the treatment of more prolonged skin conditions such as Acne and Eczema. Not
surprisingly, it is the affect green tea has on acne that has recently captured the
imagination of many scientists, and ongoing studies are slowly unveiling just how
beneficial green tea can be on this unpleasant skin disorder. More research
is still required on the treatment of acne with green tea, but if it's found that it
really does offer sufferers a solution then you couldn't wish for a more tasty and natural
remedy. Sunburn and Skin TreatmentsFurther studies have proven that
green tea's unique properties also assist in wound healing and minimising the
scarring of tissue when lesions are healing. Just how it does this might be
down to one of green tea's most prolific and exciting compounds - epigallocatechin-3-gallate
or EGCG for short. This is the most abundant polyphenol in green tea and studies have
noted it possesses the ability to reactivate cells in the outer layer
of the skin. Under normal conditions, cells in the outer layer of the
dermis remain active for approximately 28 days as the final stage in their
life cycle. Research has shown green tea appears to reactivate and
energise these cells in the outer layer, therefore improving the general condition
and overall health of the skin. With well known anti-inflammatory and
antibacterial properties, green tea also seems to possess the ability to influence hormonal
activity to some degree. Once again studies are in progress, but analysing the way green
tea decreases hormonal activity in the body could further enhance a successful
solution to the problems of acne. Tea StainingJapan
and China have a long history of tea staining dating back many hundreds of years.
Unfortunately, this art from is slowly being forgotten as more modern and
faster techniques in fabric colouring have swiftly replaced it. Today, tea
staining is almost exclusively reserved for the tourist hotspots of Japan. It is only
here in these popular Japanese destinations that you are still able to buy
tea stained scarves and handkerchiefs in the local markets and shops. However,
although the method for tea staining is quite labour intensive it is still a very
simple procedure that has remained unchanged for many centuries. Of all the teas,
green tea is the most suitable for staining as it still retains its original
green colour, whereas black teas and oolong teas lose their softness and
natural colour through fermentation. Firstly, the green tea is made into
a fine powder and hot water is added. This solution is then poured into a large
tub. The fabric is then dipped into this solution and any areas that do not require
colouring are tied. When the fabric has successfully taken on its new colour it is
removed and hung out to dry. You can begin to see the similarities between this
and the tie-dyeing methods we know of, but tea staining is such an ecologically
friendly concept that it's a shame to think it's slowly being
forgotten. Green Tea CompressWith its antibacterial qualities
and wound healing abilities, green tea makes the ideal compress for cleansing
cuts and grazes. To make an effective green tea compress only takes a matter of seconds.
Start by soaking a pad in hot tea. Squeeze out any excess liquid and then apply
to the wound or affected area. Similarly, green tea also makes an
excellent poultice for treating insect bites and minor skin irritations.
To make a green tea poultice you firstly boil some leaves for approximately 2-5 mins.
Once they are boiled, squeeze out any excess water from the leaves and allow
to cool for a few seconds. Once cool enough to apply to the skin press the
poultice onto the affected area. To keep the poultice in place and in direct
contact with the skin you can apply a bandage to the area. Cleaning
and OdoursFinally, green tea can be put to various good uses around the home as
well. One of the most popular is using it to counteract odours, especially in
the fridge. Green tea leaves placed in a thin cotton bag on a shelf in the
fridge will easily neutralise any bad smells. It can also be used as a
final wash for chopping boards and eliminate the lingering smells they can pick
up from previously prepared foods. Once you're exhausted from all the
poultice making and tea staining then you might just want to sit down and
relax with a cup of your favourite green tea. But don't forget houseplants
thrive on it too, so treat your potted plants with any leftovers and they
will delight you with some beautiful new leaves.
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