Time for Tea

Tea - just saying the name of the world's most popular beverage is naturally relaxing and refreshing. A cup of tea can be healing and calming - a simple moment of tranquility in a busy day. This unassuming brew has become one of the hottest key ingredients in natural cosmetics today.

Tea is a strong antioxidant, rich in vitamins C and E. Japanese research shows it to be a powerful enemy of the hated "free radicals," which cause our bodies to age. Tea has a variety of beauty benefits and can be used all over your body to cleanse the skin, soothe sunburn, highlight the hair, relax your muscles, and calm puffy eyes. All teas come from the same plant: Camellia sinesis. Different teas such as green, oolong, and black are obtained by the way the leaves are dried. Herbal teas are made from dried plant leaves and flowers. Tea is easily found at your local market. Have fun experimenting with new blends.

Terrific Tea Tips

Here are a few easy ways to use tea to look and feel your best:

• 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. The tea will reduce itching and swelling.
• For 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.
• To keep your feet smelling their best, try a foot soak in natural tea. 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.

English Tea Astringent

In England, tea is much more than just a popular beverage - it's part of the culture. It has also become part of the beauty scene. Here is a recipe for a mild astringent that will keep your complexion clean and glowing with health.

Ingredients

2 tea bags of your choice (green, orange pekoe, earl grey, and jasmine work well)
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup witch hazel

Directions

Pour boiling water over the tea bags and allow them to steep for at least one hour or until cool. Remove the bags and combine the cooled tea with the witch hazel. Pour the mixture into a clean container. To use: Apply to clean skin with a cotton pad after cleansing.

Yield: 4 ounces

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Nothing could be easier than creating a bath out of your favorite herbal tea blend. Envision your bathtub as one gigantic teapot with you floating inside. Simply choose herbal tea bags and hang under your bath spout as you fill the tub or fill a large tea ball or muslin bag with a few chosen dried or fresh herbs. Lie back and enjoy!

Ingredients

4-5 herbal tea bags, 1/4 cup selected dried herbs, or 1/2-cup fresh herbs

Stimulating: rosemary, lavender, peppermint

Relaxing: chamomile, hibiscus, jasmine

Refreshing: basil, parsley, mint

Invigorating: raspberry leaves, bay leaves

Cleansing: sage, thyme

Yield: 2-4 ounces, enough for one bath.

Feedback

If you have a question or topic you would like covered - please feel free to write to me. I also love hearing about your own "natural beauty" tips and treatments! Please email me here at lamasbeauty.com and I will post your questions and ideas in future columns.

Have a beautiful day!

Janice Cox

Discuss this topic with others right now at Beauty Tips !

Janice Cox has been making her own beauty treatments for over twenty-five years. She is the author of three books on Natural Beauty: Natural Beauty at Home, Natural Beauty for All Seasons, and Natural Beauty from the Garden, all published by Henry Holt and Company in New York. Her books contain over 600 recipes for Body, Bath and Hair Care products.

Janice writes a regular column for Natural Living Today magazine, "Recipe for Beauty." Her recipes and ideas have also appeared in Self, Shape, Fitness, McCall's, Country Living, Organic Gardening, Herb Quarterly, Herb Companion, The Natural Way, Health, Mothering, Fit Pregnancy, New Woman, At Home Mother, American Health, and Natural Way magazines. She has appeared on National television and radio programs discussing Natural Beauty. Mrs. Cox has turned her passion for home beauty into a full time career and has become a nationally recognized expert on Natural Beauty.

"We are all born with a natural beauty, it is how we choose to use it that makes us truly beautiful."

To learn more about Janice Cox, visit her website at www.janicecox.com.

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