We often think that tea leaves have completed their mission after we finish drinking tea, so we usually throw away the tea leaves. However, this is actually a waste. Instead, we can use the used tea leaves to soak our feet. It can sterilize, relieve itching, and improve sleep. Why not give it a try?
Method of soaking feet in tea water:
Put an appropriate amount of tea leaves into a wooden bucket, add a certain amount of water, and control the water temperature at around 40℃, which should be comfortable and not too hot. Cover the wooden bucket with a towel, soak for 5-10 minutes, then put your feet in and soak for 15 minutes. Massage the entire foot and sole with your hands. When the whole body starts to sweat slightly, dry your feet with a towel and cover them with a blanket while they are still warm.
Benefits of soaking feet in tea water:
1. Promotes sleep
The numerous nerve endings on the soles of the feet are closely connected to the brain. Stimulating the nerves on the soles of the feet through fermented pu'er tea can have a calming effect on the brain. Pu'er tea contains less caffeine and polyphenols than regular tea, so it doesn't stimulate the nerves. Instead, it can help calm the mind, inhibit the cerebral cortex, and accelerate sleep, reducing dreaming.
2. Eliminates foot odor
Foot odor can be embarrassing, especially when you are with someone you care about. Soaking your feet in overnight tea water can effectively eliminate foot odor. The specific method is to fill a basin with warm water, pour in the overnight tea water along with the tea leaves, and then soak your feet for about ten minutes.
In addition to using tea water to wash your feet, you can also put tea leaves in your shoes to prevent foot odor, which can effectively eliminate the odor in the shoes.
3. Prevents colds
Soaking your feet in tea water can help promote blood circulation, remove dampness and coldness from the body, and enhance the immune system. This can help prevent diseases like colds.
4. Improves cracked feet
Many people suffer from cracked feet, which can be very painful. Soaking your feet in tea water can help alleviate this. The astringent and constricting effect of tea leaves can effectively prevent the skin from cracking.
Precautions:
1. Elderly people should not soak their feet for too long. It is advisable for them to soak their feet for 20 minutes before going to bed. Soaking for too long can cause symptoms such as sweating and palpitations.
2. People with severe heart disease or low blood pressure should be cautious about fainting. Soaking in hot water or hot springs can cause blood vessels to dilate, causing blood to flow from important organs to the surface of the body. This can lead to ischemia and hypoxia in important organs such as the heart and brain. For people with heart disease or low blood pressure, this can increase the risk of illness.
3. Avoid soaking feet when too full or too hungry. Soaking feet in a state of being too full, too hungry, or after eating can accelerate blood circulation throughout the body, which can cause dizziness and discomfort. It is not advisable to soak your feet within half an hour after a meal, as it can affect the blood supply to the stomach.
4. Patients with athlete's foot should be careful about infection. When the condition of athlete's foot is severe and blisters appear, it is not advisable to soak your feet in hot water, as it can easily cause wound infection. People with foot inflammation, injuries, or burns should also avoid soaking their feet.
5. Diabetic patients should pay attention to water temperature. Diabetic patients should pay special attention to the temperature of the water, as their peripheral nerves cannot perceive external temperatures normally. Even if the water temperature is high, they may not feel it, which can easily lead to burns and serious consequences.
In addition, experts recommend soaking feet at 9 PM for the best kidney nourishment, as this is the optimal time. As long as you persist, you will see unexpected results.