Skin Loving Matcha Tea
I sometimes wonder if I’m the only person in the world that doesn’t love a morning coffee, I love the smell, the process the joy of a beautiful coffee shop to watch the world go by but the caffeine my body just cant seem to handle. My partner approaches his morning coffee like a sommelier approaches wine. Feeling the green monster emerging that I didn’t have a fun morning drink I took a deep dive into matcha, although Matcha contains caffeine it has a much slower release time (see chart). Matcha has definitely become trendy of the past few years, matcha lattes, matcha pancakes but matcha itself in its true correct form can be quite bitter. It’s jam packed full of antioxidants and L-Theanine, which is a really important amino acid that helps you to focus & feel calm, without the jitters (Yay).
What is the difference between green tea and Matcha?
Matcha is the entire leaf pulverized into a powder, and that’s why you get all of the great benefits. Green tea is still fabulous though and if you’re looking for something thats less bitter, try a white tea.
So why does Matcha get all the hype in the wellness world?
One of its biggest benefits is its DNA restoring properties. One of the antioxidants in green tea is called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and it has been shown in studies to reduce DNA damage sustained from UV rays, helping to prevent skin cancer and melanoma, as well as other sun-sustained skin damage. The catechins in green tea work to trap and deactivate free radicals in the skin, which keeps our skin feeling and looking healthy.
Green tea contains more antioxidants than any other green tea and the polyphenols within each serving have anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory benefits. See below the comparison between Matcha and other high Antioxidant foods.
The History
The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one’s attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one’s heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. Even the placement of the tea utensils is considered from the guests view point (angle), especially the main guests called the Shokyaku. Learn more here: http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net
My Matcha Journey
I bought some ceremonial grade matcha which is the highest grade you can buy, and sought to create something I loved as much as my hot chocolate recipe (click here for the link) but for a lovely morning drink. With Coronavirus still very much in circulation and my obsession with the power of adaptogens I wanted to make an immune boosting, skin loving, delicious drink.
Through much trial and error here is my Kyushi Matcha Recipe
Single Serving – Astragalus Powder (Boosts & balances the immune system)
Single Serving of Rhodiola Powder (Protects the nervous system, helps balance blood sugar levels & immune boosting)
Single Serving – Ginseng Powder (Strong antioxidant, Historically used to treat stress and fatigue)
1 tbsp Organic Coconut Milk (Healthy Fat)
4 Cacao Butter Buttons (Healthy Fat)
Enough Hot Water to mix. (If you boil your kettle let it rest to allow the temperature to come down.
Click Link and use code KYUSHI10 At checkout on for 10% off your order.
Method
Pop all the ingredients in a blender and blend together. Sprinkle with cinnamon powder if you would like and serve.
*Adaptogens can interfere with certain medications do check with your physician if you have any concerns.
Alternative options:
If you are intermittent fasting remove the cacao butter & coconut cream and just stick to the MCT oil, this wont break your fast. If you are concerned about adaptogens you can remove all of them and just go with your regular Matcha is just as yummy. Sometimes I add in some spirulina/Chlorella, vanilla powder, cinnamon. Have a play around and find what you love.
Matcha Face Masks:
Applying matcha directly to the skin in the form of a mask is a wonderful way to balance acne and symptoms of rosacea, and generally just a lovely relaxing treat.
Hydrating Mask:
Mix 1 tsp Matcha Powder
1 tbsp of raw organic honey
6 Drops of Jasmine Lavender & Cedarwood Face Oil
apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes.
Remove with Kyushi Cleansing Oil & Cloth
Hydrate with Your Kyushi face oil of choice, Power of Ten & Jasmine Lavender & Cedarwood are the most hydrating of the range, you can always also pop in a couple of pumps of the cleansing oil to really super charge your hydration.
Soothing Mask:
Mix 1 tsp Matcha
1 tbsp of Organic Aloe Vera Gel
6 Drops Chamomile & Helichrysum Face Oil
apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes. Create the amount you need to cover your face.
Remove with Kyushi Cleansing Oil & Cloth
Apply Chamomile & Helichrysum to continue calming any inflammation.
Relax & enjoy
Sending Love,
Alice
Research Studies into Matcha and Skin:
Acne
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28036057/
Anti aging & Sun damage
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390139/