Green Tea Essential Oil: Its Benefits, Uses, and Origins

Green tea is a popular drink loaded with health benefits such as powerful antioxidants to help lower risks of some diseases. But aside from using green tea as a hot beverage, the seed oil from this plant also carries with it immense medicinal values together with its soothing and relaxing aroma.

Green tea essential oil or tea seed oil comes from the green tea plant (Camellia sinensis) from the Theaceae family. It is a large shrub that is traditionally used to make caffeinated teas, including black tea, oolong tea, and green tea. These three may have come from the same plant but underwent different methods of processing.

Green tea is known for its variety of health benefits. Several studies have shown that green tea has the potential to lower the risk of different diseases and illnesses. They have been used in ancient countries as astringent to treat digestive problems, regulate body temperature, control blood sugar level, and promote mental health.

Green tea essential oil is extracted from the tea plant seeds through cold pressing. The oil is often referred to as camellia oil or tea seed oil. Green tea seed oil comprises fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid.

Green tea essential oil is also packed with powerful polyphenol antioxidants, including catechin, which provides it with several health benefits.

Green tea seed oil or tea seed oil should not be mistaken for tea tree oil as the latter is not recommended for ingesting.

Traditional Uses of Green Tea

Green tea oil had been used mainly for cooking, especially in the southern provinces of China. It has been known in China for over 1000 years.

In traditional Chinese medicine, green tea oil is used to manage cholesterol levels in the body and promote a healthy digestive system. It was also used to boost the immune system, keep diseases at bay, and to treat a number of skin conditions.

Benefits of Using Green Tea Essential Oil

Aside from being a beloved hot beverage, green tea seed oil also possesses a soothing and fresh scent that made it a famous component for some perfumes. Although not popularly used for aromatherapy, green tea seed oil gives a lot of benefits for the skin.

For healthy hair

Research showed that green tea essential oil contains catechins that promote healthy growth of hair in the follicles. Green tea oil helps stimulate the dermal papiria cells in the hair follicles, thus increasing hair production and reducing the occurrence of hair loss.

It is an antioxidant

Antioxidants help cells battle free radicals that can damage the body.

Green tea essential oil it contains some of the powerful antioxidants such as catechins gallates and flavonoids. They combat free radicals on the skin that occur because of the exposure to UV rays and pollutants from the environment.

Aside from this, they also help repair the damage done on the collagen which keeps the skin firm and elastic. This improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and reduce the appearance of scars.

Blending green tea oil with rose hip oil, wheat germ oil, and aloe vera gel and using it on the skin can reduce signs of skin aging.

Moisturizes the skin

Green tea essential oil can penetrate deeply into the inner layers of the skin. It helps keep the skin hydrated and moisturized, which is great for those who suffer from dry and flaky skin. This is because of the fatty acid content of the green tea seed oil.

A blend of green tea and jasmine with a carrier oil such as argan oil can be an effective nighttime moisturizer.

Prevents oily skin

Green tea essential oil it’s packed with vitamins and polyphenols that is beneficial to the skin These polyphenols when applied to the skin controls the sebum production that usually causes oily and acne prone skin polyphenol is a type of antioxidant and so it can be safely used for all types of skin.

Aside from reducing sebum, its anti-inflammatory property helps treat skin blemishes such as acne.

As an astringent

It’s green tea essential oil contains in it polyphenols and tannins this can help narrow blood vessels which reduces the appearance of pours this is because of its vasoconstriction property which enables the skin tissues to shrink and the pores to look smaller.

Gives a sense of serenity

Diffusing a few drops of green tea essential oil helps create a relaxing environment. The scent of green tea helps relax the mind and boost mental alertness at the same time.

It is recommended to those who want to improve their focus during exams or when completing some tasks at work.

Reduces dark under-eye circles

Puffy eyes and dark circles are signs that blood vessels under the eyes are inflamed and weak. Green tea oil’s anti-inflammatory property helps reduce the swelling and puffiness around the eye area. A few drops of green tea oil on carrier oil can be massaged in the area around the eyes.

Prevents hair loss

Green tea oil promotes hair growth and slows down or stops hair loss, thanks to its antioxidant content. Its anti-inflammatory property also helps promote healthy scalp, free of infections. Its vitamin B content prevents split ends, making the hair stronger and shinier.

Safety tips and precautions

Green tea seed oil is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers without a doctor’s recommendation.

For those who want to apply green tea essential oil on the skin, it is recommended to do a patch skin test first to know if any allergic reactions may occur. It is also best to dilute it in carrier oils or in water.

To those who are taking blood-thinning medications, it is best to always consult the doctor before using green tea seed essential oil.