Want to look and feel better? Have a cup of tea. Suddenly tea is everywhere from our corner coffee shop to the cosmetic counter. Modern science has discovered what ancient cultures have known for centuries – tea is a powerful health tonic for the body, both inside and out.

Tea is a natural antioxidant, which makes it one of the hottest key ingredients in natural cosmetics today. Antioxidants are the enemy of the "free radicals" that cause our bodies to age. Free radicals are unbalanced molecules that oxidize the skin. Tea is rich in vitamins C and E. Tea also contains tannic acid that helps clean the skin and kill odor causing bacteria.

All tea comes from the same plant: Camellia sinesis. Different blends such as green, oolong, and black are obtained by the way the leaves are dried. Herbal teas are made from different dried plant leaves and flowers such as mint, chamomile, rosehip, and hibiscus. There are a wide variety of teas to be discovered at your local market.

Here are some simple ways for you to enjoy this refreshing brew and pamper yourself:

Tea Tips

• Reduce under-eye puffiness by placing two cool tea bags over each eye and relaxing for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Soothe an insect bite or cut by placing a green tea bag over the affected area. This will help reduce itching and swelling.
• For a bad sunburn, try a tea bath. Hang four or five oolong, jasmine, or green tea bags under your bath spout as you fill your tub. Soak in the fragrant, warm water. Pat your skin dry and moisturize well.
• To keep you feet smelling their best, try a foot soak. Soaking in black tea will help reduce foot odor because tea is naturally astringent. The tannic acid in tea also helps kill odor-causing bacteria.
If you use henna to color your hair, use tea instead of water when mixing your paste. Try black or Ceylon for brunettes and chamomile for blondes.
• A great way to relax or practice simple meditation is with a cup of tea. Start your day with a cup or take a tea break to refocus a hectic one.
• Brew a strong cup of green tea and use the cooled liquid as a soothing astringent. This is especially effective for treating troubled or acne prone complexions.
• Try herbal tea for highlighting hair rinses. Chamomile will lighten blonde hair, Sage will darken hair, and hibiscus tea will give hair red highlights. Simply brew up a cup of strong tea and use as your final rinse when your wash your hair.

Here is a simple "at home" recipe for a mild astringent. It comes from England, a country known for it's passion for a good "cuppa."

English Tea Astringent

Ingredients:

2 tea bags of your choice (green , orange pekoe, earl grey and jasmine work well)

¼ cup boiling water

¼ cup witch hazel

Directions:

Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and allow them to steep for at least one hour to make a highly concentrated infusion. Combine the cooled tea with the witch hazel. Stir the mixture well and pour into a clean bottle. To use: Apply to clean skin with a clean cotton ball or pad after cleansing.

Yield: 4 ounces

There are also several "Tea" products available here at Dermadoctor.com. Some of our favorites are: Neova Calming Green Tea Serum, Neova Antioxidant Therapy Serum, DERMAdoctor Calm Cool & Corrected 2N1 Rosacea Tx, DERMAdoctor Body Guard Exquisitely Light SPF 30 For Face & Body, Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment, Replenix CF Cream and Replenix CF Serum.

Enjoy your tea!

Janice Cox
Contributing writer for DERMAdoctor.com

Janice Cox is the author of three books on natural beauty. Her latest book Natural Beauty from the Garden (Henry Holt and Company) is available on the Internet and in bookstores nationwide. Purchase this book at Barnes and Noble:

Natural Beauty from the Garden: More than 200 Do-It-Yourself Beauty Recipes and Garden Ideas

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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