Peppermint Tea Health Benefits – It’s Good for You!

Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint, and it has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

The plant is known for its many health benefits and is often used as a digestive aid, remedy for colds, stress reliever, relaxant, and breath freshener.

But even if you’re not sick or looking for specific health effects, hot or iced peppermint tea is a great option. It tastes delicious and is good for your overall health and well-being!

5 Amazing Peppermint Tea Health Benefits

Let’s explore the healing powers of peppermint tea with our deep dive into its five most impressive health benefits.

The most prominent compound related to the benefits of mint is menthol. Menthol can be used for pain relief and it also improves blood circulation.

Peppermint oil contains up to 48% of menthol, while most of the other mint species contain a much lesser amount of it. This is why peppermint is the most common mint used as a herbal remedy.

1. Helps with Digestion and Upset Stomach

Menthol is an effective remedy for upset stomach due to its calming effects. It helps with relaxing the tense muscles that cramp and cause stomach pain. Menthol also improves blood circulation and relieves inflammation that is often related to stomach problems.

Peppermint aids digestion by increasing the amount of bile and helping with gas movement, thus relieving bloating and stomach cramps.

A study from 2012 concludes that peppermint tea reduced the symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia in 60-95% of patients. Increased bile also helps with reducing the symptoms of constipation and diarrhea and aids with the optimal function of the digestive system.

Peppemint Tea and IBS

There are several studies indicating that peppermint is beneficial in the treatment of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It’s a very painful and annoying condition that I have also suffered from.

I found that following a suitable diet and drinking an herbal tea that contains peppermint after a meal helps with avoiding the pain and other symptoms related to IBS.

A 2008 study published in BMJ (British Medical Journal) indicates that peppermint oil can effectively remedy IBS. Another study from 2001 found that after 2 weeks of ingesting enteric-coated, pH-dependent peppermint oil capsules, 75% of the subjects had reduced the severity of pain associated with IBS.

So what is the exact mechanism that makes peppermint such an effective remedy for IBS?

Researchers have recently discovered how peppermint works in the gut to reduce IBS symptoms. People suffering from this condition have hypersensitive nerve fibers in their colon, which causes abdominal pain.

The high amount of menthol in peppermint has antispasmodic qualities and it also causes the pain-sensing nerve ends in the gut to become less sensitive. This effectively reduces the severity of IBS symptoms for the majority of people.

2. Reduces Stress

When I feel that I’m getting stressed and cranky I usually try to take a break, listen to relaxing music, and enjoy some peppermint tea.

Here’s how peppermint tea can help with stress:

1. Menthol Relaxation: Peppermint contains menthol, which is a natural muscle relaxant. This property can be particularly soothing when stress manifests as physical tension or muscle tightness, such as headaches or stiff shoulders.
2. Aromatic Effects: The aroma of peppermint has been shown to have calming effects. Inhaling the steam from a hot cup of peppermint tea can provide a form of aromatherapy, which may help to reduce stress levels.
3. Natural Sedative and Antispasmodic: Peppermint has mild sedative and antispasmodic properties, which can help to calm nerves and reduce symptoms of anxiety or restlessness. This can promote a sense of relaxation and well-being.
4. Warm Beverage Ritual: The act of preparing and drinking a warm beverage can be therapeutic in itself. It encourages a moment of pause and relaxation in your day, which can be a welcome break from stress.
5. No Caffeine: Unlike many teas and coffees, peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free. This means it won’t contribute to caffeine-related stress or anxiety symptoms and can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night without disrupting sleep patterns.

3. Relieves Headaches

According to a study from 1996, the compounds found in the peppermint plant have muscle-relaxing and pain-relieving properties which can help with relaxation and treating tension-type headaches.

It is not uncommon, that after getting home from work one would experience a combination of stress, headache, and overall tension. I think that one of the best ways to relax after a long day, is to have a nice warm cup of peppermint tea!

4. Remedy for Common Cold and Flu

Usually harmless, but still one of the most irritating things is getting the common cold with symptoms like cough, sore throat, headache, fever, and constantly feeling tired. There are many herbal teas you can use to combat these symptoms and peppermint tea is one of the best.

Peppermint contains many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds. This helps your body fight the harmful pathogens in your system while the antioxidants of peppermint boost your immune system.

In addition, menthol’s muscle relaxant properties help by opening up airways, relaxing throat muscles, and relieving congestion.

These qualities make peppermint tea an excellent remedy for flu and the common cold, as it both relieves your symptoms and also helps you get healthy faster.

5. Keeps Your Breath Fresh

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a common and very unpleasant problem.

Peppermint provides an effective way of fighting against bad breath due to its fresh scent and antibacterial properties. This is why most kinds of toothpaste and many bottles of mouthwash contain peppermint.

Research has confirmed that peppermint creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria and also suggests that it can help prevent plaque and caries. However, more studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

The best way to use peppermint tea against halitosis is to drink it frequently during the day. Also, if you eat foods that contain garlic or onion, it can cause an unpleasant smell, and drinking peppermint tea after the meal helps neutralize the odors. In addition, it aids your digestion and tastes great, so I often drink it after a meal with a dash of honey, or with dessert.

Does Peppermint Tea Have Any Side Effects?

Drinking peppermint tea is generally considered safe but it has a few potential side effects.

If you have problems with acid reflux, you should be careful with consuming peppermint tea. Its muscle-relaxing properties can cause the esophagus and other relevant muscles to relax and allow more stomach acid to flow up.

Also, if you are pregnant, I recommend consulting your doctor before consuming any herbal teas.

Any side effects are unlikely to occur, but it’s possible. Especially if you consume large quantities of very strong peppermint mint tea regularly.

How to Make Peppermint Tea

You can buy fresh peppermint to make your tea, or you can just grow it yourself.

Making a cup of delicious peppermint tea is easy:

1. Boil some water in a kettle. Fresh spring water is the best option, but you can just use regular filtered water as well.
2. Add the desired amount of fresh or dried peppermint leaves to the freshly boiled water. Cover and let it steep for 5 to 15 minutes.
3. Pour it into glasses or mugs and add some sweetener if you like. I often use a bit of organic raw honey to make my tea sweet.

Then it’s time to just sit back, relax, and enjoy your cup of tasty herbal tea!

You can adjust the amount of peppermint and steeping time depending on how strong you like your tea. You can also add other herbs like ginger and chamomile while brewing the tea.

How to Grow Your Own Peppermint

It’s actually very easy to grow peppermint in your garden, balcony, or even indoors. One of the easiest ways to grow it is to get a hydroponic garden kit for indoors.

Here is a nice video about growing peppermint and drying the leaves so you can have a stash of homegrown herbal tea:

If you want to try something a bit more special, check out this traditional Moroccan mint tea recipe. It’s usually made with spearmint, but you can also use peppermint if you want.

Enjoy the Taste and Benefits of Peppermint Tea!

Peppermint tea is one of my favorite herbal teas for many reasons. I love its fresh scent and it tastes great with honey or just as it is.

This herbal tea contains compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which provide various health benefits.

The easiest and most convenient option is to buy it in tea bags or as a loose leaf tea. I recommend that you check out my guide with the best mint tea brands to find a high-quality option.

Please comment below and share your experiences related to the health benefits of peppermint tea!