Green Tea Hydrosol

It took me a while to warm up to green tea as a drink. I didn’t care for it much in my younger years and it wasn’t until I landed a job that required demonstrating matcha tea (the finely ground leaves of the fresh tea plant) that I took a real shine to it. I was trained to make the drink correctly and according to the ceremony. I also learned how discern quality matcha from some of the matcha I had purchased in my earlier years. And yes, there was a difference. It was then that I came to understand the complexity of this potent and healthful drink.

Green tea leaves are brimming with life and anti oxidant activity. The plant itself is not difficult at all to grow as we found when I added one to our garden apothecary this year. It flowers generously providing beautiful white flowers with a yellow stamen, the flower itself the size of a small gardenia and the yellow stamen, the brightness of a white to pink lotus stamen. The leaves are impressive too, as they are lusciously green and invite a drink to be made from them. I have enjoyed harvesting fresh leaves and making my own tea with Jasmine flowers I’ve foraged from the garden.

Green Tea hydrosol smells of fresh green tea like a good ceremonial matcha. The hydrosol is a welcome toner for what I call hot skin – conditions such as menopause and rosacea. It helps with oily skin and protects from free radicals and I like adding a little to skin lotions for added anti oxidant support. A drop of peppermint essential oil in Green Tea hydrosol is vibrant and invigorating. I highly encourage it.

Suggested uses: mist on face after applying face cream. Brightens and tightens skin.