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Why bathe in green tea?
The skin is the largest organ
in the human body. For the average adult human, the skin has
a surface area of between 1.5-2.0 square meters (16.1-21.5 sq
ft.), most of it is between 2-3 mm (0.10 inch) thick. The average
square inch (6.5 cm²) of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20
blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes (cells that produce melanin
which is a pigment) and more than a thousand nerve endings.
One of the most important functions
of the skin is to provide the body with a defensive barrier from
pathogens, which are agents that cause disease, and from harmful
elements in the external environment, such as ultraviolet rays
from the sun. The skin guards the underlying muscles, bones,
tendons, ligaments and internal organs and it also protects the
body from excessive water loss. Severely damaged skin repairs
itself by forming scar tissue.
Skin absorption is a route by
which substances can enter the body through the skin. Absorption
of substances through the skin depends on a number of factors,
the most important of which are concentration, duration of contact,
solubility, physical condition of the skin and part of the body
exposed. All the natural and beneficial ingredients in green
tea make it a perfect choice for bathing in it so the nutrients
may be absorbed through the skin.
A green tea bath is very easy
to make. First you place six organic green tea bags in a tub
of very hot water for ten to twenty minutes. Your bath water
will turn a golden brown or dark brown color and this will let
you know the antioxidants and vitamins have been released into
your bath. Remove the tea bags and adjust the water temperature
for your bath. You may also add a quarter to a half cup of olive
oil to the bath water. Olive oil contains antioxidants and it
will soften and sooth your skin if you tend to have very dry
skin. Relax in your health bath for at least thirty minutes.
Research suggests that green
tea can inhibit skin cancer due to its protective properties.
Tannins in the tea not only heal burns and stop bleeding, but
they also stop infection while they continue to heal the wound
internally. The ability of tannins to form a protective layer
over the exposed tissue keeps the wound from being infected even
more. The natural antiseptic qualities in this tea also relieve
the itching and swelling in cuts, scrapes, bites, hemorrhoids,
anal fissures, rashes and acne blemishes. Of course, when dealing
with a medical condition. one should always check with their
doctor to make sure that bathing is recommended.
An alternative to a tea bath
after a hard day at work, especially if you stand on your feet
all day, is a green tea foot soak. Using Helen Foster's recipe
from The Beauty Book
1.Bring water to just under
boiling and pour it in a large foot bath container.
2.Place five green tea bags
and a few drops of peppermint oil into the water.
3.Allow water to cool slightly
for a few minutes, and then soak your feet.
Green tea baths are nourishing,
detoxifying and healing, both chemically and emotionally. |
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