Why Tea Bags?

B

barber oregon

Joined
Nov 19, 2000
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234
I've been reading alot lately about BOBs, and a number of sources (including The SAS Survival Guide and these forums) indicate that the addition of tea bags to a BOB or survival tins was a good idea.

Why is this?

I always thought that tea was a diruetic (that is, it makes you want to p**), and in a survival situation you'd want to conserve your body's water as much as possible; so why are so many recommending to pack tea bags?
 
Comfort of a hot familiar beverage, prevention of caffeine withdrawal and resulting headaches. You have a good point and after a while, if you need a hot beverage, you might want to switch to silver tea. :) I love that term; sounds much better than hot water! :D


Someone with more medical knowledge can comment on any such uses.

Once you finish with the tea bag, tear a hole to dispose of the tea and dry the bag for tinder.

You may have plenty of water, but need a little energy/alertness boost, even if it is "artificial".
 
If you're boiling water to sterilize it...might as well take advantage of the boiling water by tossing in a teabag. A few tea leaves can add acceptable flavor to otherwise 'icky' tasting h2o.
 
First of all, when you realize you are lost or in some other urgent predicament where panic is common, sit down, build a fire, and brew up a hot cup of tea. The "down time" will allow you to think rather than panic, and the caffeine helps the thinking process, too. You are much more likely to make good decisions.

Secondly, the caffeine itself is an awesome energy booster, yet not as hard on you as carrying coffee singles.

Third, and most importantly, tea is medicinal (always in wet form). Put a tea bag on a bee sting or insect bite. Use it to reduce inflamation. Fight infections. Relieve that abscessed tooth and the resulting toothache. I believe it even helps to stop bleeding, although I'm not too sure on that one.
 
Originally posted by coyotlviejo
tea is medicinal (always in wet form). Put a tea bag on a bee sting or insect bite. Use it to reduce inflamation. Fight infections. Relieve that abscessed tooth and the resulting toothache.
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Tea (once it has cooled) is also good to apply to sunburns!

Eek
 
Let us not forget the SAS guide is written by Brits. Tea is like a daily national duty for them.

Tea pee???? OMG:rolleyes:

Tea is light and it definitely has it's merits in the field.

Mike
 
I thought I read this some where,that you can use tea to help tan or dry out animal hides also.You guys ever here of that.
 
Tea contains tannic acid. Notice the root "tan" in tannic. Tannic acid is also an astringent, so your tea bag can be used as a wound dressing or poultice. Once you've brewed the tea (a few times) don't throw away the leaves, eat 'em.
 
Coffee good, Tea good!

Hmmmm, I think I'll throw a teabag in my cup of water, here at work. I have found it steeps fine.

For my iced tea at home I generally use one or two peppermint tea bags in with, say 3-4 regular {or reg. decaf} tea bags. If you haven't already, try it komondor.

Variations: 1. I go out and harvest some fresh chocolate mint leaves to use with the regular tea. 2. Use loose tea. 3. Use various types of tea for variety.
 
If you get a tooth knocked out, bite down on a wet teabag and it will stop the bleeding - a mix of the ingredients in the tea as well as the direct pressure.
 
Even my small kit contains a few bags of black tea, a few bags of green tea (when I want less caffene), and some bullion cubes when I want something hot and more salty. Lately I've also taken to carrying some instant ginseng powder which gives a nice lift, and is easier to make than tea as you don't have to actually achieve boiling water.
 
Re: Tannic Acid

For external applications that make use of the astringent qualities of tannic acid you can also use acorns, oak bark and dock root, among others. Just steep or boil the plant and use the juice or mashed plant parts to apply topically. Not as fun as sipping your medicine, but it's good to keep medical alternatives in mind.
 
Originally posted by Donald
For my iced tea at home I generally use one or two peppermint tea bags in with, say 3-4 regular {or reg. decaf} tea bags. If you haven't already, try it komondor.
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Thanks Donald. That sounds good. I am going to try different recipes this summer.

Although I know this is not as natural, it is nonetheless the most refreshing, thirst-quenching, and coldest beverage I know of: Arizona Green Tea with honey and ginseng. Love those 20 oz. bottles.
 
komondor,
Why wait to summer, I had a pitcher over the weekend :D Since I drink it unsweetened the mint is especially good in mellowing out the tea. Of course I would drink it without, but if using regular tea bags, I almost always make it this way, and guests, often start doing it that way too! :)

A couple of restaurants in the area use Black Currant tea for their iced tea (I hope the purists don't object to a little flavoring, but if Earl Gray can do it.....(I know dif. flavor, bergamot.) I had it and thought this is different....but familiar....I don't recall whether I figured it out or if I asked. I had it at home, so promptly made some. I think I'll make some tonight too! :p

One tea question for anyone who might have some ideas. I drink iced tea no matter how strong. I drink dry, tannic wine. When I drink hot tea, however, if it is too strong, the tannin or something bothers my throat. Any ideas why? Does the temperature have something to do with it?

coyotlviejo,
If using the astringent properties of acorns, save them and run them through a couple of more changes of water. Then you can dry them and grind them for flour, etc. I am sure Christopher Nyerges has a whole list of things to do with them, but since this is not an acorn thread, I'll stop now. :rolleyes:
 
Ginseng, particularly the Korean variety, has been shown to elevate blood pressure in many individuals. Mine nearly went off the chart. "Natural" does not guarantee "safe".
 
Originally posted by Donald
komondor,
Why wait to summer, I had a pitcher over the weekend :D Since I drink it unsweetened the mint is especially good in mellowing out the tea. Of course I would drink it without, but if using regular tea bags, I almost always make it this way, and guests, often start doing it that way too! :)
Click to expand...

I usually wait until the warmer weather because I like to make sun brew. Although it tastes good, I try to avoid putting 180° water in the fridge or freezer to cool. If I lived in Arizona I would be making sun brew every day. :)

This is a great thread.
 
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