Tea - that wonderful hot beverage that warms you when you're cold, perks you up and sets you on your way. Or perhaps your favorite tea is a tall, cold glass in the summer. But wait! There are countless other ways tea can be used. Here are a few of our favorites:
Relieve Your Tired Eyes
Yes, indeed - they refresh and revitalize tired eyes. If your eyes are achy or puffy, soak two teabags in warm water and place them over your closed eyes for 15 - 20 minutes. In many salons, it is quite common during facials to have calming teabags placed on your eyes. The tannins in the tea act to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes.
Condition Dry Hair
Make a little extra tea and save it for your hair! Shampoo your hair as usual and to give it a natural shine use a quart (liter) of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo. 
Tenderize Tough Meat
Tea is often used in poaching fish and as a base for sauce. But it can work as a tenderizer. Even the toughest cuts of meat will melt in your mouth after you marinate them in regular Black Tea. Here's how: Place 4 tablespoons black tea leaves in a pot of warm (not boiling) water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain to remove the leaves and stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar until it dissolves. Set aside. Season up to 3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) meat with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, and place it in a Dutch oven. Pour the liquid over the seasoned meat and cook in a preheated 325°F (165°C) oven until the meat is fork tender, about 90 minutes.
Control Dust From Fireplace Ash
Try this very useful, very effective method next time you want to clean out your fireplace. Before you begin cleaning, sprinkle wet tea leaves over the area. The tea will keep the ashes from spreading all over as you lift them out.
Perfume A Sachet
Steep your favorite herbal blend, specially one that has Lavender or Lemongrass. Let the wet leaves dry. Fill a Disposable Tea Filter with the dry tea and make your own Perfume Sachet. Great for drawers and musty closets. Or if you have herbal teabags lying around, steep them, open them up carefully and spread the wet tea on some old newspaper to dry. Then use the dry tea as stuffing for the sachet.
