Green Tea & Eye Health

I slept for just a few hours (4-5) with green tea teabags on my eyes and it made a tremendous difference in eye fatigue and vision. Can you explain the chemical mechanism for the healing? Are the leaves themselves essential or could I make an infusion and use as eye drops?

The improvement in your eye fatigue and vision from using green tea teabags is likely due to several beneficial compounds in green tea, especially its high antioxidant content. Here’s how the key components work:

1. Catechins (especially EGCG – Epigallocatechin gallate):

• Green tea is rich in catechins, particularly EGCG, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. When applied to the skin or eye area, these compounds can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which may help relieve fatigue, puffiness, and irritation around the eyes.

2. Tannins:

• Tannins in green tea can help constrict blood vessels, reducing puffiness and dark circles. This astringent effect is why teabags are often used for soothing puffy eyes.

3. Caffeine:

• Green tea contains small amounts of caffeine, which can help stimulate circulation around the eyes, further reducing puffiness and increasing alertness in the surrounding tissue.

4. Flavonoids and Vitamin C:

• Flavonoids and other antioxidants in green tea help protect the eye tissue from damage by neutralizing free radicals, potentially improving the health of the delicate tissues around the eyes and reducing fatigue.

Using a Green Tea Infusion as Eye Drops:

• It is possible to use a diluted green tea infusion as a gentle eye rinse, but you must be cautious about sterilization. The tea should be freshly brewed, cooled, and strained thoroughly to avoid contamination or introducing particles into the eyes.

• The infusion would still contain antioxidants and flavonoids that could provide soothing benefits, but the mechanical effects of teabags (pressure and direct astringency from the tannins) would be absent.

To make an infusion for eye drops:

1. Brew organic green tea using distilled water (to avoid contaminants).

2. Let it cool to room temperature.

3. Strain it very well through a sterilized filter or gauze.

4. Use within a day and store it in the refrigerator, but do not use for more than 24 hours to avoid bacterial growth.

If you try this method, it’s important to start with a small amount to ensure there’s no irritation.

A.I. Disclaimer

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