8 fant(e)astic uses of tea bags

The tea-obsessed nation that we are, Pakistanis are well aware of the health benefits related to its consumption. But before you discard used green or black tea bags, think again. Turns out, the magic that lies in each pouch goes beyond tea’s worth as a beverage. Being chock-full of anti-oxidants, which repair cellular damage, tea bags can work wonders curing health ailments and fighting infection. As compiled from naturallivingideas.com, mindbodygreen.com, and Fox News, here’s how you can up your health regimen and home with the help of a brewed tea bag or two.

Heal canker sores



Canker sores appear in the mouth and are extremely painful. Both canker sores and cold sores are common and take a while to repair. Speed up the healing process by soaking a black tea bag in warm water, cooling it and then putting it on the affected area in your mouth for 10 minutes.

Tenderise meat



We normally use kacha papita or packaged tenderisers to soften meat but the secret to tender, juicy steaks or mutton chops lies in tea bags. Steep four or five black tea bags in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Next, combine with an equal amount of marinade or masala you’re using. Marinate the meat in the mixture for 20 minutes. The tea tannins will break down fibres, which make the beef tough, all the while ensuring that the marinade seeps into the meat, contributing to better taste.

Heal insect bites



Used tea bag helps in soothing inflammation and pain caused by insect bites. You can use black or green tea bags and soak them in warm water. Apply the water on the bites or tape the tea bag directly on to the affected area for instant relief. The tannins in tea help reduce swelling and decrease redness by fighting skin infections. Tea also has anti-microbial effects on the skin.

Deter household pests



Mice are repelled by the smell of tea. Place used tea bags in cupboards, pantries and other pest-infested areas. For added protection, try saturating the bags with peppermint essential oil. Not only will this further deter pesky rodents, but also deter a variety of other household pests, such as spiders and ants, while making your home smell mint-tea fresh.

Heal bruises



Tannins in tea help to constrict blood vessels and speed up the healing process. Ruptured capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body, create bruises. Since tannins constrict blood vessels, they impede the leaking that causes discolouration. Press a warm, wet black tea bag to the bruise a few times per day to help shrink swollen tissue.

Rust-proof cast-iron cookware



Guarantee your trusty skillet stays rust- and gunk-free by wiping it with a damp, used black tea bag after every cooking session. The tea’s oxidants will coat the pan with an invisible protective layer that prevents rust-causing corrosion and will diminish the pungent smell of previous cooked meals from the utensil you’re using the tea bag on.

Treat sore or bleeding gums



Alleviate sore or bleeding gums by placing a cool, used tea bag over the problem spot. Tannins will stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling, which causes difficulty in chewing. Anti-oxidants in tea also reduce the sensitivity of teeth. Who knew tea would make it easy to eat ice-cream!

Reduce foot odour



Make your feet smell sweet and fresh by soaking them in a steeped tea-bath for 20 minutes every day. Use black tea to get rid of particularly bad odours. The astringency in tea closes up the sweat-emitting pores that create the smell in the first place, and the tannins kill stinky bacteria. To take stench away from foul-smelling shoes, place damp black or green tea bags in the shoes overnight.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2015.

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