PEPPERMINT TEA BENEFITS – 12 Reasons to Start Drinking Peppermint Tea. Originating from the mint family, peppermint is an aromatic herb. A cross between water mint and spearmint is peppermint. A native of Europe and Asia, it has been used for thousands of years for its good, spicy flavor and health benefits. Peppermint is used as a flavoring for breathing mints, candies, and other foods.
Besides, many people drink peppermint as a refreshing, caffeine-free beverage. Peppermint leaves contain a variety of essential oils, including menthol, menthone, and limonene. Menthol gives the peppermint its soothing powers and an obvious minty smell. In today’s article, we will share with you12 Reasons to Start Drinking Peppermint Tea.
Ease Digestive Upsets
Peppermint can alleviate digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, and indigestion. Animal tests suggest that peppermint relaxes the digestive system and can relieve pain. It also inhibits smooth muscle contraction, which can relieve spasms in the gut.
An analysis of nine experiments on 926 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treated with peppermint oil for at least two weeks concluded that peppermint causes slightly greater symptom relief than placebo.
In comparison, in an analysis of 14 clinical trials in nearly 2,000 children, peppermint decreased the incidence, duration, and severity of abdominal pain. In comparison, peppermint oil-containing capsules decreased the rate and severity of nausea and vomiting in a trial in 200 cancer chemotherapy patients.
Relieve Tension, Headaches and Migraines
Since peppermint serves as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever, some forms of headaches may be minimized. Peppermint oil menthol increases blood flow and creates a cooling sensation, possibly reducing discomfort.
In one randomized trial in 35 migraine patients, peppermint oil added to the forehead and temples greatly decreased discomfort after two hours compared to placebo oil.
Freshen Your Breath
There is an explanation of why peppermint is a popular flavoring for toothpaste, mouthwashes, and chewing gums. In addition to its good scent, peppermint has antibacterial properties that can destroy germs that create dental plaque which can enhance your breathing.
In one study, people who had undergone spine surgery and had been rinsed with peppermint, tea tree, and lemon oil experienced an improvement in complaints of poor breath relative to those who did not obtain oils.
In another report, schoolgirls with a peppermint mouth rinse witnessed an improvement in breathing after one week relative to the control group.
May Relieve Clogged, Sinuses
Peppermint has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory effects. because of that, peppermint tea may combat clogged sinuses due to infections, common colds, and allergies.
The study also reveals that menthol (one of the active compounds in peppermint) improves the sense of airflow in your nasal cavity.
As a result, steam from peppermint tea will make you feel as if breathing is easier. Moreover, warm beverages, such as chicken broth and tea, have been found to temporarily relieve the effects of sinus congestion, possibly due to their vapors.
While peppermint tea has not been tested for its effects on nasal congestion, research indicates that it could be beneficial.
May Improve Energy
Peppermint tea can increase energy levels and reduce exhaustion during the day. Although there are no studies directly on peppermint tea, evidence suggests that natural compounds in peppermint may have beneficial effects on health.
In one study, 24 healthy young people reported less exhaustion during a cognitive exam when provided oiled peppermint capsules. In another study, peppermint oil aromatherapy has been shown to reduce the occurrence of daytime sleepiness.
May Help Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Since peppermint serves as a muscle relaxant, menstrual cramps can be eased. Although peppermint tea has not been tested to this effect, peppermint extracts have been shown to relieve symptoms.
In one study in 127 women with painful periods, peppermint extract capsules were shown to be as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications in reducing pain severity and duration. Peppermint tea can likely have similar effects.
May Fight Bacterial Infections
While no experiments have been performed on the antibacterial effects of peppermint tea, peppermint oil has been shown to destroy bacteria effectively.
In one study, peppermint oil was found to kill and stop the development of common foodborne bacteria, including E. Coli, Listeria, and Salmonella in pineapple juices and mango juices.
Peppermint oil also destroys many varieties of bacteria that cause disease in humans, including staphylococcus and pneumonia-linked bacteria.
Also, tests have shown that peppermint eliminates many types of bacteria typically present in your mouth. Besides, menthol has also shown antibacterial behavior.
May Improve Your Sleep
Peppermint tea is the best option before bed since it is normally free of caffeine. What’s more, the potential of peppermint as a muscle relaxant will help you relax until bedtime. That said, there is not much clinical evidence that peppermint improves sleep.
In one study, the peppermint oil lengthened the sleeping time of the sedative-treated mice. However, another study showed that menthol had no sedative effect. Study on peppermint and sleep is therefore mixed.
May Aid Weight Loss
Peppermint tea is naturally calorie-free and has a nice sweet taste, making it a smart choice when you’re trying to lose weight. However, there is not much study into the impact of peppermint tea on weight.
In a small study in 13 healthy individuals, taking a peppermint oil tablet decreased hunger relative to not taking peppermint. On the other hand, an experimental analysis found that mice provided with extracts of peppermint gained more weight than the control group.
May Improve Seasonal Allergies
Peppermint contains Rosmarinic acid, a plant compound present in rosemary and a plant found in the mint family. Rosmarinic acid is associated with decreased signs of allergic responses, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, and asthma.
In a randomized 21-day trial in 29 individuals with seasonal allergies, those provided with an oral supplement containing Rosmarinic acid showed fewer signs of itchy nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms than those with placebo.
An experiment on a rat indicated that peppermint extract decreased allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itchy nose.
May Improve Concentration
Drinking peppermint tea will help boost your ability to relax and focus. While research on the effects of peppermint tea on concentration is not available, two minor studies have studied this beneficial impact of peppermint oil taken by ingestion or inhalation.
In one study, 24 young, healthy individuals performed dramatically better in memory tests when they were given peppermint oil capsules.
In another research, smelling peppermint oil was found to enhance memory and attentiveness compared to ylang-ylang, another common essential oil.
Easy to Add to Your Diet
Peppermint tea is tasty and simple to add to the diet. You can buy it in tea bags, like loose-leaf tea, or you can just cultivate your own peppermint.
To make your own tea with peppermint:
- Boil two cups of water.
- Turn the heat off and apply a couple of broken peppermint leaves to the water.
- Cover and steep for five minutes.
- Strain the tea and drink.
Since peppermint tea is naturally free from caffeine, you can drink it at any time of the day. Enjoy it as a post-meal drink to support metabolism, in the afternoon to improve your stamina, or before bed to help you relax.
Peppermint tea and natural compounds found in peppermint leaves can help your health in a variety of ways. Though there is little study on peppermint tea, numerous studies outline the advantages of extracts of peppermint oil and peppermint.
Peppermint can help boost digestion, refresh your breath, and increase your concentration. Besides, this mint has antibacterial properties and can improve symptoms of allergy, headaches, and clogged airways.
Peppermint tea is a tasty, naturally sweet, caffeine-free beverage that can be comfortably drunk at any time of day. Is peppermint tea your favorite tea?
