What is Mint Tea?
Mint tea is an herbal tea infusion prepared by steeping mint leaves with hot water. Mint tea prepared by infusing peppermint leaves is called peppermint tea, and one prepared using spearmint is called spearmint tea.
Peppermint tea has been used for years to cure ailments. This article, therefore, explains the health benefits of peppermint tea.
Read on to see why peppermint tea is a must-add in your daily meals.
Benefits of Peppermint Tea
1. Relieves Headaches
Every time you have a headache, you reach for pills. What you don’t know is that reaching for peppermint leaves can have the same effect as your normal aspirin.
After taking the mint tea, you may realize that the headache is no longer there, and even better, there are no side effects.
Peppermint tea is very effective in healing headaches that are caused by poor diet and stress. What really happens when you have a headache is that the blood vessels stop the free flow of blood in the head.
On taking aspirin, the vessels get relief and allow the free flow of blood – peppermint tea has the same effect.
The best part is that the healing effect starts before sipping the tea, as the sweet aroma of the tea can relieve a headache or even heal a cold.
2. Soothes Upset Stomach
Peppermint can also have an amazing effect on your upset stomach due to the menthol in it. One way mint does this is by relaxing all the muscles that can contract and cause pain.
The cooling effect of the compound can also eliminate inflammation by improving air circulation, preventing stomach pains.
The other method through which peppermint tea works is by eliminating the factor that is causing you the stomach-ache. This is through the stimulation of gastric juices, which breaks down food and fastens the rate of digestion.
Peppermint tea alleviates the feeling of being full and reduces the inflammation that causes bloating.
3. Treats Bad Breath
It’s embarrassing when you talk to people, and they turn in a different direction because of the breath coming out of your mouth. Your partner may not be having an easy time either with the smell.
Fortunately, a cup of peppermint tea can solve the bad breath issue for you. It is a true hero in the field – no wonder multiple kinds of toothpaste have peppermint in them.
The sweet scent of the tea covers the bad breath, giving the antibacterial properties a chance to fight the cause of the smell.
To fully enjoy the benefits of peppermint tea for eliminating bad breath, drink a cup of mint tea when the bad breath arises or first thing in the morning. It can also be helpful after consuming foods like garlic or onions.
For better results, see that you use real peppermint and not flavors.
4. Improves Digestion
Prevention is better than cure, right? Peppermint tea can significantly help in regulating digestion to ensure everything is in order.
Research by the University of Exeter showed that the tea can relieve bloating and cramping by moving gas throughout the body.
Peppermint tea also helps in digesting food more efficiently as the menthol in it increases bile.
This ensures your body operates optimally with no effects of constipation or diarrhea.
Also, for individuals who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, mint tea is a great choice for them as it relaxes all the muscles in the digestive tract.
5. Combats the Common Cold and Flu
Most herbal teas help in fighting cold and boosting immunity – peppermint tea is not exceptional.
When you have a sore throat, the most popular way to ease it is by consuming a hot cup of tea. If you go for mint tea, it goes the extra mile of relaxing your throat muscles, preventing uncomfortable coughs.
The menthol in the tea also opens up the airways eliminating congestion and colds such as bronchitis.
Mint tea also has antioxidants which increase circulation allowing blood cells, which are responsible for repairing body tissues, for spreading faster hence quick recovery. Additionally, it has antibacterial properties that help in inhibiting bacteria.
Lastly, peppermint tea has nutrients that can boost your immune systems such as potassium and calcium, vitamin B, and antioxidants, which helps your body to fight invaders first and easily absorb nutrients to stay healthy.
6. Reduces Fever
Menthol is among the many compounds of peppermint tea that reduces fever. Drinking a cup of mint tea increases the rate of sweating, which helps in cooling the body. During the sweating process, your body goes through a detoxification process which gets rid of factors causing the flu or fever.
Menthol also works in the internal body, cooling down the temperature in the body. It also relaxes the muscles reducing the pain that comes with fever.
7. Improves Mental Clarity
Peppermint tea has an impact on your brain function. Despite not having any caffeine, it can make you more mentally alert, enhancing memory, and reducing stress.
It helps commuters to travel better by reducing traffic frustration. Scientists are yet to discover what compound in the mint tea causes this effect.
Research has shown that the aroma of mint tea stimulates the hippocampus, which is responsible for the control of focus and clarity. You, therefore, feel refreshed and energized to tackle your day once you take a cup of tea.
For best results, brew a hot cup of mint tea and sip it slowly as you intentionally inhale its sweet scent.
8. Promotes Healthy Skin and Hair
Peppermint is a common ingredient in multiple skincare products in the salon to protect the scalp. It can help in dealing with dandruff by soothing the itchy and dry scalp. For best results, soak your hair with peppermint and let it stay for more than five minutes before rinsing.
Anti-inflammatory properties in the mint can eliminate the redness that results from acne. On the other hand, antiseptic properties prevent bacteria that clogs pores from building up.
Soothing effects of peppermint tea treat itchy bug bites and skin rashes.
9. Reduces Stress
Peppermint tea is common in Ayurveda and aromatherapy as a method of calming down the body and increase the overall peace and well-being of the body. Mint tea has natural sedatives that are effective in helping you unwind after a long day.
A hot cup of peppermint tea can help reduce the blood temperature and help your body to relax. It also reduces inflammation, which reduces the blood pressure calming the whole part.
It is safe to drink peppermint tea any time of the day as it is free from caffeine; hence, no distractions of your sleep cycles. The absence of caffeine means you will not be feeling any jittery, which reduces stress and allows you to relax.
10. Prevents Nausea
If you have been struggling with motion sickness, peppermint tea can change that for you. The sweet scent of the tea can inhibit nausea, while the compounds in the mint help relax the muscles that contract leading to vomiting.
Peppermint Tea Side Effects
Although peppermint tea is an amazing beverage with several health benefits, it has a few setbacks.
Peppermint may not be good for you in the following scenarios;
- Suffer from GERD: The relaxing property of peppermint tea can relax esophagus and sphincter muscle of the stomach exacerbating acid reflux.
- You are pregnant: A lot of peppermint tea can relax uterus muscles, causing a miscarriage.
- You are under medication: Like any other herbal tea, mint tea can interact with certain medications. If you are taking any pills, consult your doctor to know if you can still take peppermint tea.
How to Brew Mint Tea
- Boil two cups of water
- Tear a handful of peppermint leaves
- Add the leaves depending on how strong you want it to be
- Let the tea boil for 10 minutes. After switching the burner, leave it for a few minutes to soak all the mint leaves.
- Now strain the tea and pour it in a mug. You can add honey or lemon to flavor the tea.
Wrapping Up
The first thing you do when you have a stomach ache or headache is reached out for medicine. The latter is good, but it has some side effects. Next time you have some discomfort, reach out for peppermint tea.
Peppermint tea has relaxing muscles and methanol, which helps in healing the body. Mint tea is caffeine-free, so you do not have to worry about insomnia or any side effects of caffeine.
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