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Steep yourself in tea
*By Zhang Qian | 2008-12-30

FORGET those cloying perfumed bubble baths - steep yourself in a
luxurious, therapeutic bath of fragrant green or oolong tea. It
improves the skin, promotes circulation - and maybe burns calories,
writes Zhang Qian.

We all know the myriad health benefits of drinking teas - green,
oolong and white. They’re loaded with polyphenols, rich in
antioxidants, even higher than in vitamins C and K.

Tea softens and moisturizes skin, and fights wrinkles. It has
antibacterial qualities and fights free radicals that contribute to
cancer. Topical applications of tea bags and tea lotions can reduce
inflammation, irritation and sunburn and help heal some wounds.

Tea extract is a fat-burning in many diet products.
So, what about diving in?

Lie for half an hour or so in a warm tea bath, the warm water opens
your pores and lets the tea extracts penetrate, improving circulation.

Traditional Chinese medicine recommends tea baths to help get rid of
dry, scaly skin and sebum and prevent some skin conditions. It can
treat some dermatitis and promote blood circulation. It is also
believed to whiten skin.

As early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), tea baths were popular
treatments for the nobility. They were also popular in the Three
Kingdoms Period (220-280 AD). The tradition of tea bath spread to
India, Japan and Southeast Asia.

The easiest way to DIY is to cook loose tea leaves in a pot and pour
it into your hot bath. You can make your own large tea bag with gauze
or cheesecloth, wrap the loose tea inside and tie it. Just put it in
the bathtub.

Buy rough, loose and old green tea leaves for your bath. They’re not
as tasty but they are rich in ingredients and antioxidants. It only
costs about 10 yuan (US$1.46) for 500 grams of old green tea leaves in
the city’s major markets in Changning and Zhabei districts.

Oolong and white tea are also good: Again, buy loose and inexpensive
teas. Oolong is about halfway between green and black tea in terms of
oxidation.

Before bathing you can mix bath salt and tea powder for a massage.
This can help get rid of dead skin, making the skin smooth. It can
stimulate blood circulation and promote sweating, an aid in weight
loss.
Then go for a dip.

Consult your doctor before trying to treat serious skin problems with
a tea bath; don’t make your concoctions of tea and other herb without
consultation.

Different teas are recommended for different people. Children should
not take tea baths because of the high tannin content, as their
nervous systems, digestive systems and skin are fragile. Mild flower
teas are fine.

Green tea baths are recommended for young and middle-aged people,
while oolong and black teas are advised for the elderly because of
their lower tannin.

Flower baths (such as roses and chrysanthemums) are recommended for
young women who want to improve their skin.

Do not take a tea bath when you are full, hungry or extremely tired.
Your pores will open, tea extracts will be absorbed, and you may not
feel comfortable. The tea bath should be warm and comfortable, not
extremely hot.
Green tea bath

Ingredients and preparation: Dried green tea leaves, gauze bag
10cmx5cm or 20cmx20cm. Fill the gauze bag. Put the bag in a little
cold water in the bathtub first, then add hot water.

Take a bath; soak for about half an hour. The tea bag can also be used
for a facial massage.

Function: Helps perfect the skin, tighten the skin, relieve itchy
skin, promote blood circulation, dispel toxins, burn calories.
Green tea footbath

Ingredients and preparation: Dried green tea leaves, gauze bag. Soak
the bag in foot basin.

Soak feet for at least half an hour.

Function: Helps remove dead skin, relieves some skin ailments and foot
odor.
Ginger bath

Ingredients and preparation: Cook dried ginger slices with water.
Filter it. Add ginger soup to your bath.

Soak in ginger bath until you are sweating.

Function: Promotes blood circulation and sweating, burns calories.
Keeps you warm.

*Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/arti...cle_386346.htm


-LH
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