Top 8 Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea

Drinking peppermint tea is not only refreshing but has many health benefits. Menthol is the main component that gives it its appealing flavor and its valuable medicinal qualities. Many people all over the world enjoy drinking this tea before going to bed because it contains no caffeine, has a lovely aroma and helps the body to relax. Below you’ll learn about the Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea.

What is Peppermint Tea?

The tea is an infusion made from the dried leaves of the peppermint plant.  The plant is a cross between spearmint and watermint. It was originally found in Europe but is now grown globally as people appreciate how easy it is to grow and how many health benefits it offers.

A tea can be made very easily too by steeping a teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. For the health benefits, it’s best to drink it while hot rather than letting it get cold.

Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea

This soothing, refreshing tea is well-known for its health benefits, and archeological evidence has revealed that it has been used for thousands of years, particularly to help with digestive problems.

1. Improves Digestion

Peppermint tea relaxes the muscles of the gut and helps gas to move through the body so that it does not cause cramping and bloating. It is also an antispasmodic and has a soothing effect on the muscles of the digestive tract, allowing food to digest better. The tea has analgesic properties too, so it reduces any pain associated with indigestion.

Peppermint tea is great for relieving the symptoms of indigestion including gas and stomachache. It appears to be an effective short-term treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but does not provide enough help for severe stomach issues. It does bring relief when suffering from diarrhea or constipation and also reduces nausea and vomiting.

2. Relieves cold and flu symptoms

Fever, congestion and a runny nose are all symptoms that accompany colds and flu. Menthol can counteract these symptoms because it is a natural decongestant. It helps to break down mucus so that it can be expelled. It also opens up your airways if you’re struggling to breathe.

Drinking the tea helps to cool the body down internally and reduce fever.  If you’re coughing and your throat is sore, it can provide some relief because it relaxes the bronchial muscles and can help prevent the irritating sensation that causes you to cough.

3. Removes Bad Breath

No matter how well you brush your teeth, it’s still possible for your mouth to still contain bacteria. Peppermint has an antibacterial element, killing the germs that lead to bad breath (halitosis). The strong, menthol makes the breath smell clean and fresh which is why it is often an ingredient in toothpastes.

4. Reduces Stress Levels

The smell of peppermint alone can help to relieve stress but it has more stress-relief properties than just its smell. It relaxes your mind and your muscles, helping you to become calm.

Try taking a break and sipping a cup of peppermint tea when having a stressful day at work. If you battle to fall asleep at night, drinking a cup of peppermint tea while reading in bed will help you to relax and unwind.

5. Boosts Immune System

Peppermint tea is not just an antibacterial that can help with the symptoms once you’ve fallen ill.

• help to prevent you from becoming ill in the first place.
• contains antioxidants that help to fight free radicals and keep your immune system functioning properly.
• contains trace elements of potassium, calcium, and vitamin B.

6. Weight Loss

Peppermint tea may be used to help control the appetite as it is a natural appetite suppressant. In this way, it prevents overeating and causes weight loss. Its naturally sweet taste also means that drinking a cup of peppermint tea instead of eating a sweet dessert could help you to stick to your weight loss goals.

7. Boosts concentration

If you’re having difficulty concentrating, peppermint tea may help. Some studies have found that it increases concentration. The scent may be even more important than consumption of the tea itself, according to one study. When peppermint was diffused in a room occupied by people taking a test, they became more alert. The smell of the menthol appears to stimulate the memory center of the brain (the hippocampus).

8. Headache relief

Peppermint tea may just provide relief for your headache without the need to take any other medication. It is particularly helpful in stopping headaches that are caused by a poor diet or stress. Headaches constrict the blood vessels in the brain and peppermint tea helps to relax these vessels, opening them up and relieving the pain.

Cautions

Although peppermint tea has many health benefits, it’s worth noting that for some people, its consumption may cause problems. It should not be used by a pregnant woman or by infants and small children. If you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux, drinking peppermint tea may worsen the condition as it may increase the backflow of stomach acid by relaxing the valve between the stomach and esophagus.

If you are taking any prescription medications, you will need to talk to your doctor as peppermint may interfere with some of them, including drugs used to treat diabetes and blood pressure medications. A peppermint overdose is rare but too many cups of peppermint tea could cause heart palpitations and diarrhea.

We hope you learned a thing or two about the Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea. You might also be interested in learning about Earl Gray Tea. We wrote a piece on Earl Gray Tea And Its Health Benefits that we think you’ll enjoy. We also have a great article on 31 Must Know Tea Quotes.

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