The Connection with Tea

Secrets effects of tea

Tea has been in people’s life for thousands of years. After all these years, people have discovered many other purposes for tea.

Tinea pedis treatment (Athlete’s foot)

Tea can be used to help with Tinea pedis. The tannin in the tea can sterilize the filamentous fungi of tinea pedis. Every night, boil some tea and wash the feet with it. It will help get rid of tinea pedis. However, this takes some time, so be sure to be persistent, otherwise you won’t see the result.

Improve bad breath

Tea has an inward property. Holding tea leaves in the mouth can help eliminate bad breath. Using strong tea as mouthwash can have the same result. If you are not used to tea, you can brew the tea first then put the leaves in the mouth for reducing bitterness and astringency. This way is helpful too.

Healthy hair

Tea can help cleanse. Using tea after shampooing helps with the smoothness and shine of healthy hair. And since there are no chemical additives, it won’t hurt the skin or the hair.

Release cold symptoms

A sore throat or husky voice could indicate a cold. Before heading to the doctors office, try a few pieces of rock sugar with tea before you visit the doctor. You’ll feel instantly refreshed and less pain in the throat. In old times, this was often used as a folk treatment in the villages.

Tea Pillow

Don’t throw out the brewed leaves. Spread out the leaves to dry them properly and save them up throughout the year until there is enough for to fill a pillow. Tea has a cooling property. A tea pillow can help clear the mind and promote thinking.

Bug repellent

Dry the brewed tea leaves and burn them up at dusk to repel bugs and unlike many chemical repellents, this one is safe for humans.

Fertilizer for plants

Brewed tea leaves still have nutrients such as minerals and carbohydrates. Bury the leaves in a pot or the garden, they will promote the growth of plants.

Cleaning

Using leftover tea liquor to wipe glassware works better than water. Clothes that are too delicate for detergents can be washed with leftover tea water. It helps preserve the natural sheen of the material. Using tea to wipe the summer mat*, helps eliminate sweat odor and dust, making it refreshing to use.

*this is a specialized bamboo blanket used in hot humid areas of China to assist with sleeping on hot, humid summer nights.

Sterilization

In the event of scrapes on the skin when there’s no medicine for immediate use, wash the surface with tea liquor or chew some tea leaves and cover the surface. It can prevent infection, reduce pain. It’s great first aid for cuts and scratches in the wild.

Eliminate odor

New furniture sometimes has an unpleasant, even irritating smell. Use the tea liquor to wipe the inside and outside of the furniture and put some tea leaves in the furniture for a couple of days. It works like a charm to get rid of the smell.

Enjoy tea in all seasons

Scented tea in spring

Scented tea is usually based on green tea. Drinking scented tea in the spring is uplifting and helps awaken the body from the winter cold.

Green tea in the summer

Green tea is un-oxidized tea, rich in nutrients. It helps lowering blood fat, and prevents arteriosclerosis. Green tea liquor is light yet packed with flavour. Drinking it in the summer not only quench thirst but also cools the body and prevents sun stroke. 

Oolong tea in fall

Oolong has a neutral property, and can reduce the heat in the body. It’s nourishing and calming.

Black tea in winter

Black tea is a fully oxidized tea, with red liquor. It’s property is sweet and warm, rich in protein, uplifting and relaxing. Cold winters can hurt the yang in the body and warming black tea can help protect us, and promote digestion.

Drinking tea properly

Drinking tea has to be done properly. If we drink too much, especially too much and too strong, it can harm our health. So how much tea should we drink each day? It depends on age, life habits, environment, personal state of health and culture.

Don’t overdose

Don’t drink tea in the morning with an empty stomach. It could cause chronic fluoride poisoning. Usually, 30g of tea leaves per is safe to avoid this.

To prevent fluoride poisoning, it’s important to control the daily intake of Zhuan Cha. If you’ve already had fluoride poisoning, don’t drink anymore Zhuan Cha and switch to better quality teas. It’s also important to not brew the tea too long, and don’t boil it.

Don’t drink too strong

Kids are always active, but sometimes have difficulty focusing for a long time. Drinking a proper amount of tea could help regulate the nervous system. But strong tea is undesired. Pregnant or teenage girls should not drink strong tea either. People  over 60 years old should especially avoid strong tea in large quantities. Too much caffeine could cause tinnitus, sleeplessness, uneven arrhythmia, dizziness, or excessive urination. Many people like to use strong tea to sober up, but it’s actually harmful to the body.

Tea and medicine doesn’t go together

Many Chinese medicinal herbs can’t be combined with tea. For example, tufuling, huang lian, and Chinese ginseng. Western medicine that contains calcium, iron, aluminum, enzymes or antibiotics should avoid drinking tea too. Also avoid tea if taking coughing, calming, sleeping, or asthma medicines.

Morning green tea, afternoon jasmine tea, and evening oolong

We can drink different teas at different times for desired effects. In the morning, a cup of green tea awakens the heart and mind. The uplifting aroma of a cup of jasmine green tea helps improve our work efficiency and after lunch helps us avoid dopiness. In the afternoon, having a cup of milk or green tea with dessert, fruit and snacks, rejuvenates us. At night, we can sip a pot of oolong with family, chatting about the day. So fun!