Okay. I'll jump up and be the next idiot to say that Green Tea is incredibly good for you. It is #Healthyaf!
For a leaf that has been around since the dawn of human civilization there is not much we don't know about its health benefits, cultivation, and flavor. But I challenge you with this list to see if you know of these little-known facts about Green Tea:
1. Bottled Green Tea Is Not As Good As The Leaf
Bottled tea does not provide the same benefits as brewed tea. Some antioxidants are lost in the bottling process, there by making it not as effective as regularly steeped green tea leaves.
2. Green Tea Is Good For Your Cats Too
If the cat’s litter box is stinking up the house, put dry Green Tea Leaves in with the kitty litter. Green tea possesses deodorizing aspects that other teas do not. It reduces the smell of the litter box, and is also safe for your cat.
3. Green Tea Is A Great Topical
Green Tea, when applied topically, in an ointment, cream, or strong brew, helps to protect one's epidermis. Because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties, green tea makes a great foot bath when one brews an extra-strong batch of it to dip their feet in.
Green Tea fights aging and skin wrinkles by drinking it, but it is even more effective as a fountain of youth when applied as a topical. Its Antioxidants, such as catechins and polyphenols, slow down skin aging. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins that are present in Green Tea inhibit bad enzymes that normally break down the skin’s elastin and collagen.
Do you burn easily in the sun? Try sipping on some green tea for a week prior to prolonged sun exposure, or use a cream laced with Green Tea when sun-bathing. Its powerful antioxidant properties protect your skin from sun damage.
The inflammation and overproduction of skin cells that lead to such diseases as dandruff and psoriasis can be prevented by adding Green tea into one's shower gels.
4. Green Tea Is Not As Popular As We Think
Seventy-eight percent of tea consumed worldwide is Black Tea. Green Tea comprises only 20 percent of the worldwide market. Black tea is the most common tea drunk in the United States. However, Green Tea is favored in Japan and China. ---Maybe they know something we don't. #Hhhhmmmm?
5. Give Green Tea A Shot!
After a trip to the doctor’s office, put a wet teabag on an injection site. It is soothing and aids in healing the puncture wound. For generations, Green Tea has been traditionally used in Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds.
6. Arm & Hammer vs. Green Tea
If you, like me, grew up placing an opened box of Arm & Hammer in your refrigerator to help prevent against unwanted and nasty smells, try putting Green Tea in a plastic bag and leaving it in your fridge. It will get rid of your pesky odors!
7. Better Between Meals, Not With Meals
It is recommended to drink Green Tea between meals instead of with meals. This is because the tannins that are found in Green Tea inhibit the body’s ability to absorb and process iron and other minerals and nutrients that one needs when they are eating.
8. Put A Used Tea Bag On Your Tired Eyes
Green tea can help freshen up puffy, tired, sore, and bloodshot eyes. This is done by placing soaked and chilled tea bags over the eyes for a while. Tannins present in green tea provide a cooling effect. Vitamin K, which is also present, is essential in relieving swelling and puffiness.
9. One Plant To Rule Them All!
Green Tea comes from the same plant that also produces Black Tea and Oolong tea; Camellia Sinensis. The difference lies in the way each tea is cultivated and processed. Unlike its counterparts, Green Tea does not go through a fermentation process. Instead, the leaves are plucked, dried, and steamed at high temperatures, giving it its green shade when brewed.
10. Tea Drinking Was An Accident
Contrary to popular knowledge, Green Tea originated in China, not Japan! Legend has it that Emperor Shen Nung accidentally discovered the tea in 2737 BC when, unbeknownst to him, some tea leaves blew into his pot of hot drinking water. He drank it. Liked it. And thus drinking Green Tea was born.
I'm not 100% sure on #10, but that is the popular legend. With enough time, legends become facts. What are some of the amazing things that you know about Green Tea? I would love to hear from you.