Ward off an unsightly bruise

Ouch! In a mad dash to answer the phone, you accidentally banged your shin on the corner of your coffee table. To prevent a bruise from forming in that spot, soak a black tea bag in a cup of warm water, then hold the bag against your skin for 5 minutes. When applied topically, tannins in black tea constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling and inflammation. If you do end up with a black-and-blue mark, it will be less visible and it will heal faster than if you hadn’t applied the tea bag.