Forever soothing and refreshing, a cup of peppermint tea is always the perfect pick me up. Of all the herbal teas, peppermint is the one that has its roots sank deep in culture. From the mountains of Morocco to the medicine cupboards in Asia, peppermint tea has that delicious blend of taste and health that makes tea such an amazing ritual to turn to time and time again.
The peppermint plant is native to European shores and the middle east and some peppermint tea is made from the dried leaves plucked from those very plants. Peppermint tea can also be made by taking green tea leaves or black tea leaves and adding in the peppermint leaves or a splash of peppermint oil to get that minty fresh flavor. This kind of tea is so old, it was even found in thousand-year-old Egyptian pyramids and we bet they stocked it in their grocery stores too.
While peppermint tea is mainly loved for its refreshing taste and cool hues of Mentha x Piperita, it also comes with a whole host of healing elements too. Not only will the dried leaves of peppermint calm frayed nerves but its gentle joy can even soothe stomach aches, boost the immune system, cut down nausea, and do a whole lot more. This ancient plant was an obvious choice in the creation of our Sweet Peppermint Tea Drop. The more we know about the properties of peppermint, the more we adore the burst of freshness with every sip. Let’s take a look at all the healing benefits of this minty herbal tea…
Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea
The simple remedy of fresh peppermint tea leaves and hot water comes with a whole host of potential health benefits. This menthol tasting tisane is loved by nutritionists, herbalists, and all those who understand the healing benefits. Think about it, we often turn to the essential oils of spearmint and menthol when trying to find relief from head colds and stuffy sinuses.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. From helping your digestion flow to sweetening sour breath and reducing stress, we look at some of the famed and lesser-known benefits of peppermint tea.
1. Caffeine-free
While we may love that morning coffee kick or sipping on caffeine-rich teas that help us stay alert, there are definitely benefits to drinking herbal tea and caffeine free tea. Thanks to the lack of caffeine, peppermint tea can be enjoyed as a sweet bedtime drink to help you settle in to rest and relaxation. For those who struggle with switching off at night, peppermint tea can act as a muscle relaxant and ease you deep into dreamland.
2. General Digestive Aid
Peppermint is known to reduce gastric acid in the stomach which is why it’s a commonly enjoyed tea after a meal. For those who battle with bloating, fighting with indigestion and acid reflux, and who struggle with constipation and just about anything related to gastrointestinal health, peppermint tea can easily be your saving grace. Studies have also shown that it can help reduce the effects of abdominal pain in children too. Peppermint oil has been a digestive remedy for an upset stomach for thousands of years and there’s really no reason to change that script now.
3. Hormonal Balance
If you ever feel like your hormones are forever raging out of control, peppermint could be the magic medicine to bring you back into balance. This power plant is said to increase estrogen and can even reduce hormonal acne. Along with balancing hormones, the effects of peppermint tea on polycystic ovary syndrome has also been explored and as PCOS can often be attributed to high levels of androgens, it is believed that peppermint tea can take those hormones down a notch or two.
4. Nausea & Vomiting/ Motion Sickness
For those mornings or days when you feel as stable as a ship in the storm, a gentle cup of peppermint tea can be just the anchor you need. Peppermint is considered antispasmodic, which suggests that it reduces symptoms of nausea and vomiting by stabilizing or reducing anti-inflammation in the stomach. It’s light and tingly flavor doesn’t push you too far and if you don’t feel strong enough to let it pass your lips, studies have shown that simply inhaling a little peppermint oil can also work wonders for nausea and motion sickness.
5. Immune System Health
Rich in antioxidants and with a ton of antibacterial properties too, peppermint tea keeps you fighting fit throughout the seasons. Peppermint tea is a known immune booster and also has trace amounts of vitamin B, potassium, and calcium which are all positioned to defend your immune system against whatever life throws at it.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Peppermint oil has been shown to have a positive impact on IBS and is a safe and effective remedy for easing pain and stomach problems associated with the condition. Peppermint doesn’t irritate the digestive system as it can pass through without the need to be digested at all. This means it can get to the intestines and bring its soothing properties without causing cramp or similar issues.
7. Freshen Bad breath
Terrible morning breath or too much garlic for dinner? A cup of peppermint tea can cut right through that. For those times when you don’t have a tube of toothpaste handy, the menthol oil in peppermint tea can be the next best thing. Peppermint tea is a natural freshener for the mouth and those fighting fit antibacterial properties can also lend a hand by helping to fight off plaque. As plaque also adds to bad breath, peppermint is here to sweetly save the day.
8. Weight loss
The combination of low calories and the cannon of peppermint helping you to feel fuller for longer means that this tea has a role to play for all those who are looking for healthy weight management ideas. We are all about healthy living and body acceptance but we also understand that for health reasons, some people may be required to play around with their calorie intake as per the doctor's instructions. A study showed that when people were given a peppermint capsule to swallow they had a reduced appetite compared to those who didn’t take the peppermint. Of course, more research needs to be done, but we have nothing to lose from brewing up a pot of peppermint.
9. Menstrual cramps
The muscle relaxant properties that can be found in peppermint tea also makes it a welcome remedy for those suffering from period pains. Cramping, bloating, digestive issues, headaches, and fatigue can all be part of the monthly cycle for some people who menstruate. Sipping peppermint tea can work on all of these but is especially deft at dealing with reducing muscle contractions which can lead to cramping. Add into this the fact that peppermint tea is caffeine-free and mentally soothing too and you have a dream drink for sipping beneath the blanket.
10. Reduces stress
While the muscle relaxant element of peppermint tea works wonders on the body it can also soothe the mind. When we are stressed out, our bodies tense up and this can bring on everything from muscle pain to headaches and a whole heap of health problems. If you have struggle taking your anxiety or stress down a level, peppermint tea can help. The relaxant properties can help your body to let go and as your limbs become looser and your jaw softens, your mind is sure to follow. Peppermint is also science-backed when it comes to alleviating tension headaches you can say farewell to those niggling stress-related migraines.
11. Heartburn
Battling it out with acid reflux? Fear not, peppermint tea could be able to help reduce your GERD woes. GERD stands for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease which can cause acid from the stomach to travel upwards. This can lead to a range of symptoms, everything from mild discomfort to regurgitation and heartburn. While for some people peppermint can trigger the GERD to feel worse, it does also help ease digestion and reduce inflammation, both of which can reduce some of the negative side effects associated with heartburn.
12. Colds and sinus relief
Clogged sinuses, heavy heads, ringing ears, and a scratchy sore throat – there is nothing fun about a cold. Keeping hydrated, boosting your immune system, and soothing headaches and other sinus related tensions can certainly help you to feel less miserable. This is where peppermint tea comes in. The fresh formula of peppermint leaves and hot water gets right to work.
First, the warm liquid will soothe the throat, the steam from the cup can open up nasal cavities and the menthol itself is known for improving the airflow through your nose. Sipping peppermint tea will make you feel like you can breathe easier and even get some shut-eye while the rest of the tea helps your body thanks to the antibacterial properties.
Side effects
For most people, peppermint tea doesn’t cause a problem and is completely safe to consume. If you choose your peppermint tea that doesn’t use black or green tea as the base it will be totally herbal and caffeine-free. This means that even those sensitive to caffeine can drink in delight. While very few people suffer any side effects from peppermint tea it may cause heartburn for those suffering from GERD although not in every case. In very rare cases it can also cause medication concerns so those who are taking medicine for blood pressure or other ailments may want to check with their doctor first to see if consuming peppermint tea is safe for them to do.
Recipe
Check out our Sweet Peppermint Tea
Brew up peppermint tea to clean your palate in the morning, as an after-dinner treat, or when you want the flavoring of something fresh and minty to quench your thirst. Peppermint tea is awesome as an ice-tea drink but also super calm and soothing when you want it hot. Here’s how to make a sweet and delicious peppermint tea.
- 1. Take one of the sweet peppermint tea drops and drop it in your cup.
- 2. Top up with hot water
- 3. Stir until your tea drop dissolves
- 4. Add a little brown sugar for taste if desired
- 5. Sit back and enjoy
Each of our Sweet Peppermint Tea Drops has at least 1 teaspoon of full leaf peppermint in each drop, which provides a healthy dose to start feeling tangible benefits.
Summary
Whether you need relief due to any of the above conditions, or just want to find a calming tea experience, peppermint is definitely your friend. It is one of our favorite night-time teas because of its smooth taste and soothing properties. Peppermint teas bountiful health benefits make it a guilt-free sip every single time and thanks to its low-calorie count, high antioxidant level, and awesome feel-good mood – even nutritionists love it!
What’s your favorite way to consume peppermint tea – steaming in its loose-leaf form or iced and shaken with fresh leaves? Or do you prefer to explore other teas instead? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Medical Disclaimer: While we have delved into the research available on the health benefits of these teas, this is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Those who have any health-related queries should reach out to a medical professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
