Uses of Tea & Tea Leaves

Tea leaves have many uses

Tea leaves contain naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that offer many health benefits to a person's body. Tea and tea leaves can be used to sooth puffiness under eyes, repel mosquitoes and in a relaxing foot bath. Mint tea leaves can be used as part of an all-natural mouthwash after being used in a cup of tea.

Burn Relief

The naturally soothing properties in tea leaves make used tea bags perfect for soothing painful burns. Place the tea bag in a hot cup of water for two minutes. Allow the tea bags to cool in the refrigerator. Once they are cold, remove the bags and apply them to the burn. This process will help relieve pain from sunburns, heat burns and steam burns. The tea leaves also help moisturize the area to help it heal faster.

Hair Conditioning

The moisturizing properties of tea make it perfect for conditioning your hair. Make a one-liter jug of fresh-brewed unsweetened tea. After shampooing and conditioning your hair in the shower, use the brewed tea as a final rinse to nourish and replenish your hair.

Relieve Nipple Pain

Breastfeeding can result in soreness around a woman's nipple. The tannic acid found in tea has the ability to soothe pain and moisturize the area. Place a tea bag on ice after using it to brew a hot cup of tea. Once the temperature of the tea bag has cooled, apply it to the nipple and cover with a nursing pad. Within a few minutes you will feel the pain relieved.

Treat Poison Ivy Rash

Poison ivy can be incredibly painful and itchy. A cup of strong, black tea that has been freshly brewed can be used to dry up the rash. Dip a cotton ball or swab into cooled tea and rub it over the infected area. This will help stop the spread of the rash. To soothe the itching and burning that comes with poison ivy, use a chilled tea bag and apply it to the infected area.

Foot Deodorizer

Foot odor can be very embarrassing for many people. To alleviate this problem, soak your feet in a cool tea bath each night. It is best to do this with at least one liter of freshly brewed tea. Tea contains tannic acid that absorbs the toxins that cause foot odor. You can also take tea leaves and mix them with baking soda and lemon juice in a homemade compound.

Eye De-puffer

Tea leaves have the ability to decrease puffiness under eyes with their natural vitamins. Take a used tea bag and wrap it around the back of a teaspoon. Place in the refrigerator until cool. Once cooled, hold the teabag and spoon on the swollen area. After about two minutes you will notice the puffiness and dark circles decrease.

References

• Readers Digest: Extraordinary Uses for Tea