Is Peppermint Tea Good for Health?
Some people enjoy peppermint tea for its flavor and cooling effect, but others enjoy it for its health benefits. As a handy household herb, peppermint is considered useful in treating multiple types of discomfort, particularly where digestion is concerned.
The benefits of peppermint tea aren’t all nutritional: it also contains scarcely any calories, has a soothing effect on your digestive tract, and can be relaxing to drink. As for its health benefits, the mint found in peppermint tea contains a high quantity of antioxidants, which can help keep your skin and organs healthy? What are some of the other health benefits of peppermint tea?
Stomach upsets
Peppermint tea helps digestion. If you ate a little too much or dinner has been too heavy, have a cup and feel quick relief of stomach upset.
Cold and flu remedy
Peppermint is commonly used in cold and flu remedies. Studies have shown that it kills bacteria and viruses. It also has a calming and numbing effect. It dulls the pain of an aching body. The menthol in peppermint effectively thins mucus and breaks up phlegm. It provides relief from coughs and congestion. You will find menthol as a common ingredient in decongestants.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may find relief from taking enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules. The coating on these capsules prevents the heartburn and indigestion that may result from peppermint oil being released in the stomach. Numerous studies show that these capsules relieve symptoms associated with IBS such as gas, diarrhea, bloating and pain. Peppermint relaxes the smooth muscles around the intestines, decreasing the chances of muscle spasms and indigestion.
Possibly cancer-fighting
Studies are not clean on this one yet, but it may have an effect on pancreas and liver tumors by stopping their growth. These kinds of tumors are otherwise hard to treat.
Skin-Clearing
If you suffer from hormonal skin problems such as acne, peppermint tea could be a natural solution. Peppermint tea offers a slight boost in estrogen levels which can help curb these hormonal problems and aid in clearing up acne. If you really want to make sure that you’re reaping all the benefits, try adding peppermint tea to your bath water. It can help soothe burns and rashes as well as other skin inflammations.
Sinus problems
As it mentioned before, peppermint tea has a cleaning effect on mucuses and helps relax the respiratory tract.
Menstrual cramps
By many reports its warmth reduces all the symptoms.
Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic
One of the reasons it is often used on the skin too.
Fever reduction
It isn’t only cooling on the outside, it has the same effect on the inside as well. Some people recommend it for fever reduction or feverish discomfort. I often drink it in hot summer days as well. Even if I drink it hot, in the end I feel cooler and more comfortable than before.
Reduce nausea and motion sickness
Herbalists claim that peppermint leaves can create a tea that will help to keep nausea at bay and remedy a “jumpy” or queasy stomach that many people feel when travelling in a car, airplane or boat. The antispasmodic qualities of peppermint can help to prevent vomiting that often comes with nausea or stomach aches in these conditions. The analgesic properties of the tea can help to calm and relax the stomach and intestinal muscles that can help to get rid of irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea or stomach cramps.
Makes a good study aid
A study shows that even the aroma of peppermint made students more alert and for a longer period. Another study also shows, that people drinking a cup of peppermint tea were more alert and at the same time calm when driving.
Precautions and Side Effects of Peppermint Tea
1. Acid Reflux Aggregation
Those that have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD may see an increase in their symptoms while drinking peppermint tea because this tea will relax the stomach muscles and the muscles of the sphincter. This can lead stomach acid to flow up the esophagus and aggravate existing symptoms.
2. Precautions for the Pregnant
Drinking peppermint tea during pregnancy can cause the uterus to relax which may increase the risk of having a miscarriage. There is not currently scientific evidence that specifically notes that drinking mint teas will increase this risk, but those that have a history of miscarriages should take caution and abstain from drinking peppermint tea while they are trying to become pregnant or during pregnancy. It is also advised that people who are breastfeeding avoid drinking mint teas as this can be dangerous for infants and small children.
3. Interactions with Other Medicines
In some cases it has been found that peppermint tea has negatively interacted with other medications that individuals have been taking. If you are taking any form of over the counter or prescription medications you should take the time to confirm with your doctor regarding whether or not it is safe for you to consume peppermint tea, particularly if you plan on drinking this tea regularly as part of a health regimen. If you have any type of menthol allergy you should avoid drinking mint tea as this increases your risk of side effects. You should also avoid drinking peppermint tea if you suffer from asthma as it can increase your symptoms.
4. Consequences of Overdose
Overdoses of any herb can have adverse effects on your overall health, and this is the same for peppermint. If you consume an excessively large amount of peppermint it can cause cramping, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle pain, slow heart rate and tremors.
An overdose of peppermint is extremely rare, but to prevent this condition you should take care when you are preparing your peppermint tea. Check the quantity of leaves that are being used in each cup to determine if your dosage is within the recommended limit. Ideally, each mug of peppermint tea should contain around one gram or tablespoon of peppermint tea leaves for every 150 ml of water that is being used to boil the tea. You should not drink more than two to three servings of peppermint tea each day to avoid potential side effects.
How to Make Peppermint Tea
This healthful tea is made by steeping dry or fresh leaves of the peppermint plant in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Try adding a little lemon juice or honey for extra flavor.
Sources:
access2knowledge.org
whatbenefit.com
thesleuthjournal.com
fitday.com
newhealthguide.org
Other links:
Drinking Hot Water & Lemon in the Morning
Nine Reasons to Drink Green Tea Daily
Water is the Most Vital Nutrient for the Body
