10 Unique Uses For Used Tea Bags
Tea has been a valued resource for thousands of years. It’s been used in ancient systems of medicine, and we know today that it has numerous health benefits. However, many people think that the benefits of tea are limited to drinking it. As it turns out, there are a variety of uses for the goodness that remains in your used tea bags.
1. Soothing Burns
Place a cooled tea bag on burns for about 20 minutes. The tannins and cooling properties of the tea will help reduce pain and speed healing.
2. Bug Bites and Contact Dermatitis
Tea possesses anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties that soothe these bites and help to reduce itching, redness and swelling. Place a used bag over the areas for ten minutes.
3. Bleeding or Painful Gums
Bleeding and painful gums can be treated by placing a used tea bag on the affected area in your mouth. Tannins, natural chemicals found in tea, have styptic and analgesic effects.
4. Eye Styes
To minimize swelling and encourage drainage and healing, place a warm tea bag over the stye for about 15 minutes three times daily. The tannins have an antibacterial effect that help kill the infection.
5. Dying Cloth
Did you know you can use your spent tea bags to give white cloth than antique look? Just drop them into some boiling water to extract the remaining tea and soak the cloth in it for a few hours.
6. Shinier Hair
If you’re tired of dull, lifeless hair, try using tea bags. Re-brew them to make a weak tea, let it cool and pour it over your hair as a post-shampoo rinse.
7. Chemical-Free Highlights
Your used tea bags are an ideal way to achieve chemical-free highlights if you have light-colored hair. Simply make a tea from re-brewed bags and soak your hair with it regularly.
8. Malodorous Feet
To beat smelly feet, steep your old tea bags in warm water and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes daily. The tannins kill odor-causing bacteria and fungi.
9. Natural Toner
Just like a store-bought facial toner, tea is an astringent. Wet a used tea bag, wipe down your problem areas and pat your face dry.
10. Super Compost
Tea super-charges compost by accelerating the breakdown of plant matter. Just tear the bags open and dump the contents into your compost heap.
Tea makes a great beverage, but it’s also great for a wealth of health and beauty purposes, too. Try using old tea bags for any of the above purposes and discover what a difference they can make.
