Peppermint Tea Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, and More

peppermint tea benefits

Peppermint is a hybrid type of mint that is usually a cross between spearmint and water mint. It is a plant that is common in Europe and the Middle East. This type of mint was first described in the 18th century in England. It is now is grown all over the world as a hybrid variety of mint as a perennial plant. Peppermint tea is an herbal tea that is made by infusing peppermint leaves while making the tea. The tea is made by using fresh peppermint leaves or by using peppermint tea bags which are available in the market. There are many peppermint tea benefits for health and so many people are including it in the diet these days. Here we will share nutritional information about peppermint tea so that you too incorporate it into your diet.

Peppermint Tea – Nutritional Facts

To understand the benefits of using peppermint tea in the diet, we must understand the nutritional value of peppermint tea. This helps us understand the types of nutrients that we get by introducing peppermint tea in the diet.

Peppermint consists of a small amount of carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and proteins, plus it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and various minerals. It is rich in various types of nutrients like copper, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, B-Complex vitamins, iron, Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and zinc to name a few. Herbal teas like peppermint tea have been used for a long time all across the world as a natural remedy.

Peppermint Tea – Taste, When to Use and How Much to Use

Peppermint tea is an excellent type of tea that can be used to replace the milky everyday regular tea. This type of tea has a fresh and cool flavor that instantly provides refreshment. Some peppermint teas come with hints of vanilla, fruity notes and also include a mild green tea taste.

The tea has a beautiful aroma and can be brewed using fresh peppermint tea leaves or peppermint tea bags. It is a type of tea that is free of caffeine and one or two cups of peppermint tea every day are generally good for health.

Peppermint tea can be taken in the morning, to get rid of the afternoon slump. Peppermint tea before bed is also an excellent idea for people looking to include it in the diet. However, overuse of any tea including peppermint tea is not ideal for health.

Peppermint tea benefits

The following are some of the main benefits of peppermint tea:

Helps in Improving Digestion

Proper digestion and a smooth metabolic system is the aim for most to achieve good health. Peppermint tea is included in the diet to improve digestion. It also regulates the digestive system for smooth functioning which is essential for good health. This is one of the main peppermint tea benefits as it relieves bloating and cramps and improves the digestive process. Peppermint tea has menthol which increases the bile in the stomach. This further reduces constipation and diarrhea and also relaxes the digestive muscles.

Soothes Stomach Upset and Prevents Nausea

An upset stomach can cause pain, irritation and hamper the day to day life in a significant way. It is essential to soothe the stomach to help it cure the stomach upset as the menthol in peppermint tea is an ideal home remedy. The menthol relaxes the stomach muscles and reduces cramp and pain from a stomach upset. It increases bile and alleviates the stomach upset problem.

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Peppermint tea has antispasmodic properties that prevent nausea and also prevent vomiting caused by nausea. Peppermint tea is also used just before a journey to avoid seasickness, motion sickness and helps calm the stomach during long journeys.

Reduces and Relieves Clogged Sinuses

Sinuses clogging are an irritable problem and natural remedies to unclog sinuses are very effective. Sinuses clog due to many problems like allergies, infections and even because of the common cold. The menthol in peppermint tea helps people improve airflow and helps them breathe better. Peppermint tea benefits include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties which all help clear clogged sinuses.

Fights the Common Cold and Flu

Common cold and flu are common problems most people have to deal with, especially when there is a change in the weather. Herbal teas are generally a supplemental solution for such problems and peppermint tea is one of the best natural remedies to common cold and flu.

It fights these problems and builds immunity in the system. The menthol relaxes the muscles; the antioxidants in the peppermint tea help circulation. It also helps the white blood cells travel throughout the body to fight infections and viruses. It helps in making common cold and flu more bearable by opening up the airways and fighting congestion.

Helps Women Fight Menstrual Cramps

As mentioned above, peppermint has menthol which is a muscle relaxant. Menstrual cramps can be incredibly painful and having peppermint tea helps in fighting menstrual cramp pain.  The menthol in peppermint tea is used to fight menstrual cramps as it is a muscle relaxant that reduces the intensity and the duration of the pain. Peppermint tea benefits extend to pain relieving remedy during the menstrual periods.

Peppermint Tea – Weight Loss Aid

Nowadays, it is important to get rid of the fat and lead healthy lives and weight loss is an essential component of this process. Natural remedies are always more effective in long term weight loss. Peppermint tea weight loss is a time tested home remedy. Drinking peppermint tea helps people feel full for a longer time and this helps in weight loss. Peppermint tea itself has very few calories which makes it an ideal weight loss drink.

Fights Bad Breathe

If a detailed study of toothpaste is done, peppermint will be one of the top flavor ingredients in many types of toothpaste in the market. Toothpaste, chewing gums, and mouthwashes use peppermint because it works in eliminating bad breathe. A natural way to freshen up the breath is to drink peppermint tea. Peppermint tea has antibacterial properties that kill the germs in the mouth and also reduce dental plaque.

Helps Gradually Build Immunity

Herbal teas are usually included in the diet to increase the antioxidant intake in the body and also to boost the internal strength of the body. Peppermint tea consists of many natural vitamins and minerals essential for good health. Antioxidants cleanse the system and help people get rid of the free radicals which can harm the system. Peppermint tea benefits include traces of vitamin B, calcium and potassium which help in increasing the immunity to fight against infections and diseases.

Reduces Stress & Helps Achieve Better Sleep

Nowadays most people in cities and towns all over the world lead extremely stressful lives and it is very important to find ways to de-stress in life. Herbal teas are a part of aromatherapy and ancient methods to help relieve stress.

Peppermint tea is a top choice as it is a fantastic stress reliever. It has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces body temperature helping people calm down. The tea reduces blood pressure and increases the state of calmness needed for a good night’s sleep. It aides a good night’s sleep as it is a natural muscle relaxant needed for a good sleep.

Enhances Mental Awareness & Focus

Peppermint tea works just like regular tea and helps people wake up from an afternoon slump or make them feel fresh in the morning. There is no right answer for when to drink peppermint tea, as it is a morning, afternoon, evening and even a bedtime drink.

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The menthol stimulates the hippocampus which controls the clarity and mental alertness in the brain. This helps improve mental awareness and also helps people concentrate and focus better. It freshens and rejuvenates the mind which makes it a perfect tea to help achieve mental focus and clarity throughout the day.

Helps Promote Healthy Skin & Hair

Peppermint tea benefits extend to benefiting skin and hair making it a superfood. Regular intake of peppermint tea helps in reducing the free radicals in the body as it has many natural antioxidants. This helps make the skin glow and reduces acne and other skin problems.

It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which are ideal for getting rid of skin infections, acne and rashes caused by inflammation. Peppermint tea is also used externally to wash hair as the menthol in it soothes the scalp and reduces the itchiness of the scalp.

It also helps get rid of dandruff which is for both, skins as well as making the hair strong. Peppermint tea benefits skin and hair in a very natural way and are used as a drink as well as externally to improve the skin and hair naturally.

Side Effects of Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is an effective herbal tea that many people drink every day as it is refreshing, has few calories, no caffeine and has plenty of benefits as mentioned above. But too much of anything is bad for health and limiting the intake of peppermint tea to one or two cups is usually a good idea. The following are some of the top peppermint tea side effects which need to be known before including peppermint tea in the diet:

Menthe Allergy

Most people can consume peppermint tea as it is a low-calorie drink that freshens up. But peppermint tea has menthe in it and some people have allergies associated with menthe. People with menthe allergies should avoid peppermint tea. Peppermint tea benefits are plenty but if they cause allergies then it is a good idea to avoid drinking this tea.

Acid Reflux

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD is a digestive disorder which is also called acid reflux problem. In this type of disease, people suffer from acid indigestion and heartburn which can be irritating and difficult to bear. The stomach acids and bile flow into the esophagus and stop this problem.

However, peppermint tea relaxes the muscle preventing this from happening, which in turn increases the heartburn and indigestion caused during acid reflux. Acid reflux is a curable disease and once it is completely cured small amounts of peppermint tea can be had after taking advice from the doctor.

Pregnancy Problems

Pregnant women have to be very careful about what they eat and drink during the pregnancy and postnatal periods. Pregnant women who drink peppermint tea have been proven to have a higher chance of miscarriage and avoiding peppermint tea during pregnancy is a smart choice.

Expecting women must avoid peppermint tea as it seeps into the breast milk and can cause breathing problems for babies and toddlers. During the entire period of pregnancy and postnatal activities like breastfeeding it is important to avoid peppermint tea.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Regular intake of peppermint tea is not a bad idea. However, people who take many different medications should avoid this drink. There are many peppermint tea benefits but if they mix with the wrong medications and drug it can be harmful to the system.

It is a good idea to tell the doctor about the regular use of peppermint tea when they prescribe medication for ailments so that there isn’t any interaction between peppermint tea and drugs.

Peppermint tea is easy to brew using fresh peppermint tea leaves or peppermint tea bags. It is a refreshing and soothing drink that is rich in antioxidants, nutrients and is a cure for many health problems as mentioned.

People are becoming increasingly aware of natural food substances that are good for health. Adding peppermint tea to the diet is extremely easy and having a cup or two of peppermint tea is good. This tea is much healthier than regular milky tea with sugar as it has fewer calories and is caffeine-free. It has a delicious taste and perfect for morning, afternoon or even as a drink before bedtime.

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