Peppermint Tea Benefits- What are the Benefits of Peppermint Tea?

The benefits of peppermint tea have been known for centuries. It is said it can help a wide array of physical ailments like headaches, gastrointestinal distress, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramping, flatulence (gas), burns, bug bites, fevers and inflammation. The active ingredient in peppermint is menthol, an organic compound that produces a temporary cooling effect in your body. When menthol enters your body it triggers sensors that reduce pain.

Peppermint’s anti-spasmodic properties have made this herb an easy and popular home remedy for a variety of health conditions. Before ingesting any supplements, herbs and vitamins, it is important that you contact your health care provider for advice and guidance. If you are wondering how peppermint tea can benefit you – you have come to the right place. This article will help you understand the benefits of peppermint tea.

What is Peppermint?

Peppermint leaves were originally spotted in Egyptian pyramids, which suggest that peppermint was available as early as 1,000 B.C. Peppermint, an herb, is often used as a home remedy for digestion issues. It is also sometimes used to ease muscle cramps, alleviate muscle spasms, protect against harmful bacteria and induce perspiration (sweating). It is available in leaf, pill, tea and oil form. Fresh and dried peppermint leaves are often used to make teas and/or infusions. Peppermint tea can be consumed both hot and cold, without losing the essential benefits associated with it. The benefits of peppermint tea can help relieve your pain and distress within minutes.

Benefits of Peppermint Tea

• Nausea & Motion Sickness – Peppermint tea is often recommended as a way to prevent and/or ease nausea and motion sickness, the queasy sensations that you get in your stomach during a plane or boat ride, throughout pregnancy or when you have an infection or virus. Its anti-spasmodic properties help ease stomach aches and prevent vomiting. In addition, peppermint tea releases analgesic (calming) properties that relax tense stomach and intestinal muscles. Other benefits of peppermint tea include: relief from abdominal cramps, diarrhea and/or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Coughs & Fevers – Peppermint tea is also believed to alleviate coughs and fevers. The tea’s cooling menthol properties make it a well-liked holistic treatment for coughs and fevers. Moreover, its anti-bacterial qualities aid in strengthening your immune system and reducing infection-related fevers. Other peppermint tea benefits include: soothing upper respiratory infections, alleviating persistent coughing (triggered by tense bronchial muscles) and inducing perspiration. In fact, most herbalists recommend peppermint tea for sore, itchy and/or scratchy throats.
• Digestion -Peppermint tea is good for relieving and/or preventing gastrointestinal distress. It eases digestion pain by helping move gas through your stomach and intestines after consuming a meal. Herbalists recommend sipping on peppermint tea following a meal to stimulate the movement of bile through your digestive tract (a process that helps your food digest). Other benefits of peppermint tea include: the ability to alleviate bloating and abdominal cramps.
• Heartburn & Indigestion – Benefits of peppermint tea are that it relieves heartburn and indigestion. Peppermint tea cooling properties can also alleviate the burning sensation often associated with heartburn and indigestion. Other health benefits of peppermint tea include: the ability to reduce stomach acid, relax your esophageal muscles, reduce intestinal cramps and ease constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and acid reflux.
• Appetite Suppression & Weight Loss – Other benefits of peppermint tea include: suppressing your appetite and aiding in weight loss. It appears that the scent of peppermint leaves, rather than the actually consumption of the tea causes a delay in hunger. You can also use peppermint for weight loss. In fact, peppermint tea, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you shed those pesky pounds that refuse to leave. When you experience digestion problems it can prevent your body from absorbing the nutrients needed to keep your digestive system functioning properly, which can ultimately lead to a host of health conditions such as: malnutrition, food cravings, fatigue, a lack of concentration, acne and/or mood swings.
• Relaxation – Another one of the benefits of peppermint tea is that it helps you relax. The aroma of peppermint tea can also ease tension and reduce stress. Peppermint tea benefits also include: the ability to reduce menstrual cramps and lessen chronic pain. Drinking peppermint tea can ease tense muscles and provide a sense of peace and tranquility. Other benefits of peppermint tea include: the ability to sleep more soundly at night, cope with work-related stress, manage headaches and/or improve your energy level. In other words, a cup of peppermint tea following a meal can help reduce fatigue, decrease stress and also provide you with a good night’s rest.
• Mental Focus – Benefits of peppermint tea include mental focus. In fact, an exhilarating aroma and a cool, fresh flavor are some of the many benefits of peppermint tea. Sipping on this herbal tea can help you stay alert when working on a task, taking a test and/or driving. It has also been known to reduce your risk of anxiety. Herbalists believe that peppermint tea improves your mental clarity, enhances cognitive (mental) performance and supports concentration and focus.
• Bad Breath – Another one of the many health benefits of peppermint tea includes the alleviation of bad breath. It is widely believed by herbalists that this herbal tea can relieve halitosis (bad breath) caused by alcohol and nicotine use, tooth decay, hormonal imbalances and/or garlic and onion consumption. You can reduce the frequency and intensity of bad breath by drinking either cold or hot peppermint tea or gargling several times a day with peppermint flavored mouthwash.

There are many health benefits of drinking tea, and peppemint is just one of the many herbs that can be used for your health.

References:
Chevallier, A. (1996). The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley Publishers.
Coffee Tea Company. (2013). Peppermint tea – How to make herbal tea from mint and the potential health benefits. Retrieved from http://www.coffee-tea.co.uk/peppermint.php
Harvard Medical School. (2013). Health benefits of peppermint. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_073107.htm