Shahnaz Husain
Recently, we have heard so much about the benefits of green tea for both health and beauty. Apart from drinking actual tea, we can also make teas with herbs and spices. Some of these are an integral part of Ayurveda, for their many benefits, like aiding digestion, warming the body, calming the nerves, helping weight loss and so on. Some of them also help to restore normal balances to the skin, adding a healthy radiance.
Ayurvedic teas are made from cinnamon, clove, cumin seeds, black pepper, cardamom, fennel (saunf), nutmeg (jaiphal) and so on. Cardamom has always been known for aiding digestion and is popularly chewed after meals. Nutmeg is said to calm the nerves. Many other plant products can be added, like lemon grass, mint, sweet basil, rose petals, or honey. Nowadays, different teas are available in tea bags, like Chamomile tea, Lemon Tea and even Blueberry Tea. Chamomile Tea helps to induce relaxation and calms the nerves. Take two teaspoons mint leaves, half teaspoon fennel (saunf) and very little dried ginger. Steep in a cup of boiling water. Cover and leave for 5 minutes. Strain and have the tea.
The normal tea that we drink every morning can also be prepared with spices and herbs, like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, basil and mint. In winter, ginger, cardamom or cloves can be added to keep the body warm. On the other hand, mint has a cooling effect. Mint and Tulsi (Basil) can be used together. Tea itself has several beauty benefits. Tea can be used for skin and hair care. Tea leaves are said to have an anti-inflammatory action. They also help to reduce oiliness. Tea bags can be steeped in water and applied over the eyelids, like eye pads. They help to reduce puffiness and add brightness to the eyes.
Green Tea is also a powerful skin toner, especially for oily skins, as it works as an astringent toner. In fact, green tea suits all skin types. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which help to control acne. It is also said to soothe sunburn. Modern research has also revealed that green tea actually has sunscreen properties. It also hydrates and nourishes the skin. Since it contains powerful antioxidants, it also keeps the skin healthy and adds radiance. Take half cup water and bring it to a boil. Put tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for 2 minutes. Strain and cool the liquid. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin. Leave on. Or, you can dip a tea bag in a cup of hot water. Cool and use it to tone the skin. Or make the tea-water and keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Use the lotion to tone and refresh the skin.
Green tea, in fact, can be used in many ways in beauty care. The tea leaves may be mixed with curd and used as a scrub. In fact, ground almonds, green tea and curd will make a good face and body scrub. It also makes a useful hair tonic and remedy for scalp conditions like dandruff. Use a green tea bag and a cup of hot water to make green tea hair tonic. You can even add a little lemon juice to it. Apply it on the scalp with cotton wool and leave on for 20 minutes. Green tea is also said to help control hair loss and condition the hair, as it contains Vitamins C and E. It not only restores health to the hair and softens it, but also adds a healthy shine.
Green tea can also be used as a hair rinse after shampoo. Boil 4 to 5 cups of water. Put green tea leaves in a bowl and add the hot water to it. Cool and strain. Add the juice of a lemon and use it as a last rinse after shampoo. In fact, soaking your fingers in green tea helps to add shine to the nails, while tea bags, used as eye pads helps to reduce puffiness and induces relaxation. It is said to help reduce stress. Steep green tea bags in hot water. Allow them to cool and use them as eye pads.
(The author is founder, Chairperson & Managing Director of the Shahnaz Husain Group)
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