Tea time is over and you’re left with an empty cup and a wet tea bag. You might want to throw it away, but don’t! Here are benefits of green tea that extend far beyond internal health.

From getting rid of under-eye bags to cleaning pots and pans, recycling tea bags are the way to go. Applying these unusual benefits of green tea will be useful around the house and will guarantee some money and time saved!
 
Before listing the ways to recycle tea bags, let’s recap the general benefits of green tea: Some research has shown that when ingested, teas high in the antioxidants polyphenols may help to reduce certain cancer risks as well as the risk of stroke. A critical part of reducing inflammation is also hinged on increased polyphenol intake. Green teas are exceptionally high in these antioxidants. Its active polyphenol, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), has been shown to be 25 to 100 times more potent than vitamins C and E in terms of antioxidant activity.

Here are seven unusual benefits of green tea that put that potency to work around the house. 

1. Feed Plants
 
To keep your plants moisturized and stimulate growth, add green tea bags to soil under and around the plant. The tea bags retain moisture in the soil and infuse the roots with nutrients. Commercial fertilizer can be high in chemicals and salt, ultimately destroying soil structure in the long-term. You can also empty the tea bags ground leaves into the soil and mix them together before planting flowers or trees. The effect works quite the same.
 
2. Get Rid of Eye Puffiness
 
Whether from a lack of sleep, dehydration, too much salt intake, or an allergic reaction, we’ve all suffered from under-eye puffiness. To remedy this and put our best face forward, use cool tea bags. The tannins found in green tea constrict blood vessels and tame under-eye bags. Place saturated, but not dripping wet, tea bags in the refrigerator until cool. Then, place them under over the eyes and let sit for 5 minutes. They will both cool, soothe redness, and reduce inflammation.
 
3. Prevent Odors

Tea bags are highly absorbent and will take in both liquids and odors. Place dry tea bags in your sock drawer, shoe closet, or locker to get rid of stink and odor-carrying moisture left behind from sweat or heat.
 
4. Clean Pot and Pans

Fill hard-to-remove gunked-on pots and pans to the top with water and a few green tea bags, and soak overnight. The tannins in the tea will help to remove the grease and other residues. The next day, use the tea bags to rub away the gunk. The abrasion is added help in removing the mess without harsh chemicals.
 
5. Flavor Meat
 
Infuse meat with unique flavors by adding tea bags to a marinade. The tea adds a sweet overtone to meat. You can also add it to a vegetable marinades.
 
6. Treat Acne
 
Because of green tea’s antioxidant content, it has a tannic bite and astringency that makes it a natural remedy for acne. Take a few water-saturated tea bags and rub them across skin affected by acne to reduce inflammation, tighten the pores and reveal a smoother, younger complexion.
 
7. Turn Photos Vintage
 
Tea can act as a homemade dye. If you want to give your photographs a vintage look, take a saturated, but not dripping wet, green tea bag and rub it lightly over the surface of the picture a few times. Let it dry and, voila, you have yourself a homemade vintage photo. 

Related on EcoSalon:

20 Unusual Uses for Green Tea

10 Healthy Tea Elixirs You Can Make Yourself

Image Credit: Selma90

The post 7 Unusual Benefits Of Green Tea You Need to Know About appeared first on EcoSalon.