Green tea is the grassy and fresh ritualistic elixir of the ages. We mean literally ages, and with good reason. It’s claimed to have been discovered by accident, sipped on by a Chinese emperor in water that had been serendipitously boiled with some of the fallen leaves. Champagne was also discovered by accident, so we take this in good faith. Rich in polyphenols and catechins, the antioxidant and nutritional power in green tea is life-changing on multiple levels. Drink up.
The green stuff is a great source of caffeine with less of the jittery effect you get from coffee, but it does so much more than perk you up. It’s also a great source of the amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. This is important because it’s able to access your GABA neurotransmitter, raising dopamine levels and alpha waves in the brain. This means you get energy from the caffeine, yet stay relaxed and happy as opposed to getting a surge in anxious energy, according to PubMed. The catechins are also effective in protecting neurons from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Sip it neatly bagged up, or consume the full leaf in an earthy, rich, ceremonial matcha to reap the benefits.
If you’re always looking for the next magic pill to help you drop a few, just … stop. Spoiler alert, they all have green tea in them. That’s because it’s been shown to boost your metabolism so you burn fat as energy quicker. This other study shows that green tea can raise your fat oxidation rate by a whopping 17%, meaning that the weight-loss powers don’t just lie in its metabolism-boosting prowess, but that it selectively chooses to burn fat as energy. Now that we have your attention, here’s one for the books: the crazy levels of polyphenols in green tea are super anti-inflammatory, protecting your body against aging, disease, and cancer.
Both internally and topically, green tea is antimicrobial on top of being anti-inflammatory. Use it as a spot treatment for acne, put cooled tea bags under tired eyes for a caffeine surge, or add matcha to your clay mask for an antioxidant boost. Packed with vitamins B and E, it revs up collagen production and soothes wrinkles, while the antioxidants go to war with early signs of aging. Green tea should be a go-to in your beauty arsenal, as an ingredient in your favorite products, or a DIY treatment.
Shop a few of our picks here:
Guac Star Mask
Price: $30
FarmHouse Fresh
Hydrate and soothe your skin with one of FarmHouse Fresh’s top sellers. It’s an instant refresher for your face thanks to creamy avocado butter (naturally moisturizes and protects), calming benefits of green tea extract (reduces redness and inflammation), and pomegranate, goji fruit, and coffee seed extracts to improve texture. Pro tip: keep it in the fridge for a cooling effect. It’s super gentle so you can use it daily.
Matcha Turmeric Superfood Latte Blend
Price: $29
Golde
You already know we love a good matcha, and this turmeric blend makes for a great addition to your jitter-free latte selection.
Energize Tea
Price: $25
Olyxir
If you’re mad about matcha like we are then these to-go strips are for you.
Green Tea Balancing Toner
Price: $39
Herbivore
Jasmine water infused with green tea and willow bark as well as the classic witch hazel clarifies and tones to prep your skin for optimal hydration and absorption of your products, all while keeping an antimicrobial surface spotlessly clean and feeling refreshed. It comes in a spritz bottle, so reapply throughout the day, under or on top of makeup and sunscreen.
The Water Cream
Price: $72
Tatcha
A powerful combo of Japanese botanicals and green tea make this lightweight hydrator not only effective but a super luxe experience. It helps minimize the appearance of pores and delivers an even glow.
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The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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