Green Tea Extract, which comes in several forms, including powder, is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis tea botanical. While several other types of tea are also derived from the same plant – Black, White, and Oolong, to name a few – Green Tea is known to be the least processed among the group and to thus retain more of its valuable, healthful properties.
In any form, this extract is a concentration of its originating tea leaves. The process of producing Green Tea Botanical Extract, which is available in powder form at New Directions Aromatics, involves manually harvesting the newest, youngest leaves, steaming them to prevent fermentation, drying them, and finally grinding them into a fine powder.
Rich in Polyphenols, Catechins, and Caffeine, Green Tea extract is reputed to have properties that make it beneficial for addressing and potentially preventing numerous skin-related complaints. For centuries, it has been used in Eastern traditional medicine to soothe inflammation, especially in association with eczema and joint pain, such as arthritis.
This article highlights the various cosmetic and therapeutic properties of Green Tea Botanical Extract as well as several safe uses.
Used cosmetically, Green Tea Extract is known to exhibit effects that help diminish the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. It is commonly used as a valuable ingredient in face washes, moisturizers, serums, and other skin care products that work to calm irritation, even out skin discoloration, protect the skin against UV radiation, diminish the appearance of cellulite, soothe redness and swelling, and repair damage. Products enriched with Green Tea Extracts are known to further support skin health by moisturizing, stimulating circulation, and regulating sebum production, thereby exhibiting a positive effect on the complexion’s overall tone, texture, strength, and resilience. It is especially beneficial for skin afflicted with the discomforts associated with acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and other conditions that are similarly characterized by dryness, itchiness, inflammation, and irritation.
Its antimicrobial and astringent properties along with its ability to balance the skin’s oil production and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores make Green Tea Extract ideal for use in products that target acne breakouts. Its exfoliating property helps decrease the appearance and occurrence of blackheads while eliminating dead skin, dirt, bacteria, and other pollutants on the skin’s surface, thus promoting the skin’s rejuvenation and renewal. Applied under the eyes, Green Tea Extracts are believed to decrease any puffiness while helping reduce the appearance of dark circles. Green Tea Extract can be applied to other areas of skin that are affected by not only water retention but also by muscle soreness. It is believed to be beneficial for easing joint pain and for facilitating fat loss while helping maintain skin and gut health. Used in hair, its ability to enhance elasticity makes Green Tea Extract a common ingredient in hair care products that work to cleanse the scalp, soothe dryness, eliminate dandruff, fortify the strands, support and stimulate growth, and enhance luster.
Used medicinally, Green Tea Botanical Extract works to enhance circulation, help regulate blood pressure, improve metabolic function, support digestive health, boost energy, protect the skin against the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun, soothe inflammation, help maintain weight and facilitate fat loss, strengthen bone health, prevent bacterial infections and joint pain, ease muscular aches, and promote mental alertness. Its soothing quality prevents further itching, redness, and irritation of the skin and any wounds, thus preventing further aggravation and allowing faster healing. This, in turn, promotes the growth of smooth skin and discourages scars from developing in a way that feels and appears to be deep, thick, painful, and unsightly.
As illustrated, Green Tea Botanical Extract is reputed to have many therapeutic properties. The following highlights its many benefits and the kinds of activity it is believed to show:
For cosmetic applications, Green Tea Extract can be added to natural formulations for many types of products, such as soaps, exfoliants, and masks and can be combined with other natural ingredients, such as warm water, yogurt, and hydrosols. All of the ingredients listed in this article are based on New Directions Aromatics’ powdered Green Tea Botanical Extract.
To make a rejuvenating face mask that is reputed to promote the look of a more youthful complexion, begin by thoroughly combining Green Tea Botanical Extract with a carrier oil of personal preference – suggested oils include Olive or Coconut. When the combination of the two ingredients achieves a paste-like consistency, apply the blend to the face in a thin layer, focusing especially on areas that have visible signs of aging. Allow the mask to dry on the skin before washing it off with warm water.
For an alternative face mask recipe, combine Green Tea Botanical Extract with Raw Organic Honey and Sandalwood Essential Oil. To achieve a paste-like consistency, slowly pour boiled water into the mix. Once the ideal viscosity has been achieved, with the fingers, apply the blend to the face and neck and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. Follow this regimen with a toner and moisturizer.
To make a Green Tea Extract-enriched facial toner, begin by steeping Green Tea bags in a cup of hot water. To prevent the essential and valuable volatile elements of the tea from escaping through the steam, keep the cup covered with a tea saucer as the tea cools down. Once the temperature of the tea is lukewarm, remove the tea bags. Into the Green Tea, add Green Tea Extract, Acai Extract, and a total of 8 drops of personally-preferred essential oils. Recommended oils include Tea Tree Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, and Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Stir the ingredients together, then transfer the blend to a spray bottle. To use this toner, simply spritz it lightly onto the face and allow it to dry naturally. This toner blend can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 1 month.
To make a Green Tea-enriched lip balm, combine Shea Butter, Beeswax pellets, and a Carrier Oil in a double boiler. As the ingredients begin to melt, stir them together with a stick or a spoon. When all the ingredients have been thoroughly incorporated into a smooth, consistent blend, remove the double boiler from the heat. Next, before the blend fully cools and sets, stir in Green Tea Extract. Pour the resultant blend into 2-4 lip balm tins and allow them to set, uncovered, for 1 hour before using them to hydrate and soften the lips.
To create a body scrub, begin by combine Green Tea Extract with granulated White Sugar, a Carrier Oil, and loose-leaf Green Tea. With a spoon, mix together all the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined. Next, transfer the blend to an air-tight glass jar. To use this exfoliating, smoothing, stimulating scrub, gently massage the preferred amount into preferred areas of skin, rubbing it in slow circles. This scrub is known to enhance the skin’s silky softness and suppleness and to promote the skin’s natural radiance by removing dead cells.
For a Green Tea-enriched bath blend, combine Green Tea Botanical Extract with Epsom Salts and a total of 4 drops of a refreshing, cooling Essential Oil. Next, pour the blend into a bathtub filled with warm water. Ensure that the blend has dissolved thoroughly in the water, then enter the tub and soak for 20 minutes. After this time, rinse off any bath blend residue on the body. This blend is reputed to promote the skin’s rejuvenation by contributing hydration, stimulating and enhancing circulation, cleansing the pores and eliminating harmful bacteria, soothing inflammation, diminishing the appearance of blemishes, and brightening the skin. Furthermore, it exhibits medicinal effects and helps to promote the faster healing of wounds while also working to reduce the appearance of scarring.
For a hair mask blend that is reputed to repair, strengthen, soften, and thicken the strands while promoting the growth of shinier hair, begin by combining Green Tea Botanical Extract with a preferred Carrier Oil until the mixture achieves the consistency of a butter. Next, apply and gently massage this blend into the scalp, smoothing it down to the ends of the strands. Leave this mask on for a minimum of 30 minutes to soothe dryness and itchiness, then rinse it out with cool water. This antioxidant blend is reputed to condition the strands, promote growth, stimulate circulation, hydrate dryness, and slow the appearance of grey hairs.
GREEN TEA BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Botanical Name: Camellia sinensis O. Ktze.
Country of Origin: China
Believed to:
As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, Green Tea Botanical Extract is for external use only. It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using this product for therapeutic purposes. Pregnant and nursing women are especially advised not to use Green Tea Botanical Extract without the medical advice of a physician, as it may have an effect on certain hormone secretions and it is unclear whether these effects are transferable to babies at these stages of development. This product should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.
Those with the following health conditions are recommended to be advised by a physician: anxiety, anemia, glaucoma, cancer, skin disorders, bleeding disorders, hormone-related ailments, osteoporosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or conditions of the heart, liver, or kidney. Individuals that are taking prescription drugs, undergoing major surgery, or who are at a greater risk of experiencing strokes, heart attacks, or atherosclerosis are also advised to seek medical consultation prior to use.
Prior to using Green Tea Botanical Extract, a skin test is recommended. This can be done by diluting 1 Tsp. Green Tea Extract in 1 tsp. distilled water and apply a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of skin that is not sensitive. Green Tea Botanical Extract must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Green Tea Botanical Extract include confusion, convulsions, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, heartburn, irritability, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, nausea, ringing in the ears, sleep problems, tremors, and vomiting.
Those seeking medical care to manage moods, behaviors, or disorders should treat this product as a complementary remedy rather than a replacement for any medicinal treatments or prescriptions. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue the use of the product and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.