12 Surprising Benefits of Black Tea You Haven’t Heard Before

Black tea's tannins act as astringents to stop bleeding from open cuts or scrapes. Gently press a cool, damp tea bag on the affected area to feel soothing relief and reduce any swelling.

Kill foot odor

The tannic acid in strong black tea kills bacteria and closes pores—and it can help your feet sweat less. Take advantage of this benefit by soaking in a black tea footbath. Boil two tea bags in a pint of water for 15 minutes, remove the bags, and dilute the tea with two quarts of water. Let the mixture cool if necessary, then soak your feet for 15 to 30 minutes. Repeat daily.

Improve gum health

Black tea contains astringent tannic acids that shrink swollen tissues and help staunch bleeding. If you have swollen gums, press wet black tea bags directly on them to start healing. You can also use tea as a mouth wash to improve gum health. If you have any concerns, you should always check with your doctor or dentist.

Boost your immune system

Scientists at Tufts University compared the ORAC capacity of tea with 22 vegetables. (ORAC refers to the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, a measurement of the total antioxidant power of foods and other chemical substances: The higher the ORAC score, the greater its antioxidant capacity.) Although there was variation among various teas, the highest scoring teas were green tea and black tea that was brewed for 5 minutes, and they outranked the top fruits and vegetables. Drink well-steeped black tea to get the maximum benefits for your health.