Tea, health and beauty

The history of tea has been intertwined with health from the beginning and has long featured its effects on our health. The legendary creation of tea itself reflects tea’s beneficial powers, as appreciated by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung.

Tea was long enjoyed by the Chinese for its medicinal properties. As a support in meditation with a reputation for extending life, tea was also appreciated by European physicians for its diuretic powers. The composition of tea can explain this enthusiasm.

A tealeaf contains alone 550 elements, 9% minerals, 1-5% theine, vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, E and P and elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur and calcium along with trace elements such as copper, iron, aluminium, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, zinc and fluorine! Truly a health cocktail!

Theine stimulates the nervous system, activates blood circulation and strengthens the memory. However, tea also contains phenols which are used to counter cardiovascular diseases, some forms of cancer and sclerosis. Although not medicine in itself, it contributes to our daily well-being. The vitamin B compounds contained in six cups of tea drunk each day cover 5-10% of our daily requirement.

Tea is also widely used in cosmetics. Although drinking tea contributes to one’s health, it is also used in herbal medicine and cosmetics in particular for its polyphenols and anti-oxidants used to counter free radicals and cell ageing.

As a relaxing and reinvigorating beverage, tea boasts many benefits for cosmetics, ensuring a supple skin, preventing wrinkles from occurring and as a decongestant for body and face when used as a lotion.

Beauty tips

Test some of the tips handed down in popular tradition!
• Allow teabags to brew and grow cold and then apply them to congested or baggy eyes for about ten minutes to remove signs of tiredness.
• To deal with oily skin, allow two teabags to soak in 50 cl of mineral water, add a few drops of lemon and… done! The lotion will reduce red patches and will tighten open pores.
• An infusion of tea mixed with sweet almost oil will prolong a suntan.