Green Tea and Me.

I love drinking tea. Although I opt for coffee in the morning, the variety of teas at my fingertips makes me giddy.

Black teas with milk are so lovely for afternoon tea time. Herbal teas soothe me at night.

But green tea.. that’s a good cup of clean caffeine in the morning.

Green tea has many benefits, but today I would like to focus mainly on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

My skin is acne prone, and my hormones like to wreak havoc on my body as well. After 5 years of suffering from severe adult cystic acne, I was finally able to gain control about 2 years ago. I’d say that the most successful change I made was trading in my mainstream skincare products for natural (mostly homemade) ones and I’ll never look back.

I also made dietary changes like cutting back on junk food and processed sugar (not entirely though, because I’m still human and have my vices). Then I made the addition of drinking more green tea.

Not only did I drink it, I started to make my natural skincare products with it too.

To reap the most benefits from your green tea, aim to drink 3 cups a day.. but no more than 5. It helps to flush toxins out of the body. Containing flavonoids and caffeine, it elevates the metabolic rate and helps to improve insulin activity. Don’t overdo it though, as too much of a good thing can easily turn bad. Excessive amounts can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea and insomnia.

How to make the perfect cup:

Heat your water in a glass or stainless steel pot to 180° and pour over your tea bag. Using boiling water breaks down the beneficial properties in the tea leaves, so don’t. I let mine steep for less than 2 minutes. Never steep longer than 3 minutes or the tannin levels rise and make your tea bitter and unenjoyable.

Using green tea topically is another great way of incorporating it’s goodness into your life. It contains EGCG, which is anti-androgenic and lowers lipid levels. This affects sebum production, improves skin elasticity and even reduces skin damage caused by sun exposure. Amazing!

1) Let your tea bags cool down (or refrigerate them for later) and place over the eyes for some relief from any puffiness or swelling. The caffeine constricts the blood vessels, thereby reducing inflammation. 5-15 minutes of this and you’ll be bright eyed and glowing.

2) Make a fresh green tea face mask to wear whilst sipping your tea! Using the used tea leaves and a tablespoon of Manuka honey, mix well and smooth over entire face. Sit for 10 minutes, then remove it using a warm washcloth and gently wiping away. The honey has added benefits of being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and a natural humectant. This makes your skin plump and moisturized!

3) Create a green tea hair rinse to add a little magic to your haircare regimen. Using a day’s worth of used tea bags, soak them overnight in purified water (you should use it the next day, otherwise use distilled water to save in the fridge for up to a week). I personally like to add a tablespoon of ACV to my rinse, as it also adds a punch of similar benefits.

Using a large measuring cup, I tilt my head forward and pour over the scalp and hair. Always try to catch the run off in the same cup multiple times, otherwise you won’t get the full benefit of your efforts! You can massage this into the scalp. More importantly though; let it sit for at least 10 minutes, ideally for 30. I follow-up by covering in conditioner, sometimes in a mask-like fashion, then stuff my hair into a shower cap and wrap it up with a towel. I believe that the warmth opens the pores and really gets it in there. Follow up with a quality, sulfate-free shampoo. What you’re left with is gorgeous, shiny and voluminous locks.

Beautiful.

If you’re like me.. someone who loves DIY, natural living and reducing their environmental impact by using all materials to the fullest extent, use that green tea in anyway possible!

So that’s what it’s like for green tea and me. What about you?