Peppermint tea can be used for medical purposes, as it contains antioxidant, analgesic, digestive, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. It is a great option to use for the treatment of digestion, fatigue, abdominal cramps and headaches.
In addition, peppermint tea also contains antiparasitic action and can be used to combat parasitic infections, like amebiasis or giardiasis.
Peppermint tea can be prepare with 2 different types of peppermint plans: one is known as "common" mint or Mentha spicata, while the other is known as peppermint, or Mentha piperita.
Health benefits
Peppermint tea is rich in flavonoids and essential oils, like limonene and menthol, which can provide several health benefits, as outlined below:
1. Treat digestive problems
Because it relaxes the stomach and intestinal muscles, peppermint tea can help reduce contractions that can lead to pain and discomfort. This drink can also help to reduce nausea, vomiting, bloating and gas.
Peppermint tea also stimulates the secretion of bile, a substance secreted by the gallbladder, which contributes to good liver functioning and digestion.
In addition, some studies show that peppermint can help relieve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, like gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea. See other teas that can help you to get rid of gas at home.
2. Relieve headaches
Drinking peppermint tea can help relieve headaches and migraines, as it contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce pain. Learn about other tea recipes for treating headaches at home.
In addition, peppermint tea also contains a soothing action that helps to reduce nerve-related and muscular tension that may be contributing to headaches.
3. Help with the treatment of the cold and flu
Because it contains anti-inflammatory, antiviral, decongestant and expectorant properties, peppermint tea can help reduce coughing, sore throat and nasal congestion, which are all common symptoms of a cold or flu. Check out other home remedies for the cold and flu you can try.
4. Relieve period symptoms
Peppermint tea can help to relieve period-related symptoms by reducing the duration and intensity of cramps. This is due to its soothing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Prevent the emergence of cancer
Peppermint tea contains antioxidants, which can protect healthy cells from free radicals. This can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, like colon, breast, lung or leukemia.
6. Improve mental fatigue
This plant contains menthol and menthone, which are essential oils that act as mild stimulants on the central nervous system. Therefore, peppermint tea can help to reduce mental fatigue and improve concentration on tasks involving studying or reading.
7. Treat infections
Peppermint tea contains piperitone oxide, a compound that contains antiparasitic properties. Therefore, it can be used to complement medical treatment of parasitic infections, like amebiasis or giardiasis. Read more about other home remedies for stomach or intestinal infections.
Peppermint tea also contains bactericide and antifungal action, which makes it a great adjunct to medical treatment of cavities, bad breath and oral thrush.
How to prepare
To prepare peppermint tea, boil 150 mL (5 oz.) of water and remove from heat when it starts to boil. Then add 1 tablespoon of peppermint leaves to the water, cover, and allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink.
Peppermint tea recipes
These teas can be prepared with common mint or peppermint.
1. Peppermint tea for fever
Peppermint leaf tae, when combined with a bitter orange, can help to treat fever as it promotes increased sweating. In addition, it is good for respiratory problems, like coughing, asthma, flu, hoarseness, runny nose and nasal congestion
Ingredients:
- 15 g of mint leaves
- 5 g of a bitter orange
- 150 ml (5 oz) of water
How to prepare:
Add 1 tablespoon of mint leaves mixed with the bitter orange to the boiling water. Cover and allow to soak for 10 minutes, then strain. this tea can be taken several times per day, ideally before going to bed to increase sweating and decrease fever.
Be sure to read more about ways to treat a fever at home.
2. Peppermint tea for stomach ache
Peppermint tea with smashed licorice root and chamomile flowers can help to treat stomach inflammation as seen with gastritis and gastric ulcers. This is because chamomile contains soothing properties that help to relieve symptoms and promote wellbeing. Read more about the health benefits of chamomile tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of fresh or dry mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon of smashed licorice root
- ½ teaspoon of chamomile flowers
How to prepare:
Combine all the plants into a teacup and add 150 ml (5 oz) of boiling water. Cover, allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. This tea can be taken 3 to 4 times per day. Check out other tea recipes for stomach aches you can try at home.
3. Peppermint tea for cramps or gas
Peppermint tea can help to relieve menstrual cramps or intestinal gas.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of dry mint leaves, or 2 to 3 fresh leaves
- 150 ml (5 oz) of boiling water
How to prepare:
Place the mint leaves in a teacup with boiling water. Allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. This tea should be taken 3 to 4 times per day, ideally after meals. Learn about other simple ways you can get rid of gas at home.
4. Peppermint tea to improve digestion
Peppermint tea, when combined with dried fennel seeds or sweet grass and lemon balm leaves, contains digestive and soothing properties. It can promote wellbeing and improve digestion.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves
- 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds or sweet grass seeds
- 2 teaspoons of lemon balm leaves
How to prepare:
Place 1 tablespoon of the combined plants into a teacup and add 150 ml (5 oz) of boiling water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes, then strain. This tea should be taken while hot, 2 to 3 times per day, between meals.
Read more about the health benefits of lemon balm.
5. Peppermint tea with honey for the flu
This tea is very efficient in treating the flu. Peppermint tea can help relieve pain, while honey contains antimicrobial properties that can help to treat respiratory infections and decrease throat irritation.
Ingredients:
- 6 mint leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 150 ml (5 oz) of boiling water
How to prepare:
Place the mint leaves, chopped and smashed, in a tea cup and pour the hot water over them. Cover and allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and sweeten with honey. You can drink 3 to 4 cups of this tea per day. Get a better understanding of flu medicine you can take in addition to this tea to treat a flu at home.
6. Peppermint tea with passionflower for anxiety
Peppermint tea with passionflower can help to relax the central nervous system. It promotes tranquility, good mood and general well being.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons of dried passionflower leaves
- 150 ml (5 oz) of boiling water
How to prepare:
Add 1 tablespoon of the combined leaves to 1 teacup and pour the hot water over them. Cover and allow to soak for 10 minutes. This tea should ideally be taken at night. You may also find these tea recipes for anxiety beneficial for treatment of mild agitation at home.
Contraindications for peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is not indicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is also not indicated for children under the age of 5.
This tea should not be taken by people with a history of reflux problems, hiatal hernia, kidney stones, gallstones and gallbladder inflammation.
