Herbal teas
have been used for centuries as natural remedies for a wide range of ailments
and to support overall health and wellness. Of all the healthy herbal teas in the world, MINT
TEA is one of the most widely used and the most respected.
Typically,
mint tea is made from peppermint leaves. Peppermint is a hybrid, or
a blend, of the spearmint plant and the water mint plant. Peppermint has been
an integral part of our lives, right from freshening our breath just before a
date to leaving a cool sensation in our tummies and mouth when we want a change
of taste. Peppermint is used as a flavoring in breath mints, candies and other
foods. Additionally, many people consume peppermint as a refreshing,
caffeine-free tea.
Peppermint
tea has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Mint tea is a
delightful and refreshing way to stay healthy and can help us boost our immune
system, improve digestion and reduce aches and pains.
USES & BENEFITS OF MINT TEA
Here
are science-backed benefits of mint tea and extracts :--
Help Relieve Tension, Headache and Migraine : A long and tiring day can lead to an
uncontrolled and unmanagable headache. To counteract this, we tend to indulge
in a strong dose of caffeine, which has even more adverse effects. The next
time having a killer headache, try reaching for some fresh or dried peppermint
leaves instead of aspirin or other painkillers.
One
2016 study suggested that
topical peppermint oil can help alleviate pain and relax muscles. Menthol has a
cooling sensation that may help ease tension or migraine headache pain when a person applies
peppermint oil to the forehead or temples.
May Ease Digestive Upsets : Peppermint tea is
sometimes referred to as "the stomach healer" because it is known to
soothe many gastrointestinal ailments, including stomach aches, stomach pains,
stomach cramps, heartburn, gas/flatulence, indigestion and diarrhea, and to
promote healthy digestion. Menthol relaxes the stomach muscles that can
contract and cause cramping. The cooling effect of menthol can improve
circulation and relieve inflammation that causes stomach pains.
The
menthol in peppermint stimulates the secretion of gastric juices that can break
down food and speed up digestion. Peppermint tea reduces the feeling of being
full and can reduce inflammation that causes bloating.
Treats Bad Breath : There’s a reason why peppermint is a common
flavoring for toothpastes, mouthwashes and chewing gums. The aromatic scent of
peppermint tea helps to camouflage bad breath while peppermint has
antibacterial properties that help kill germs that cause dental plaque — which
may improve our breath.
May Relieve Clogged Sinuses : Peppermint has
antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this,
peppermint tea may fight clogged sinuses due to infections, the common cold and
allergies.
Reduces Menstrual Cramps : For many females, the menstrual cycle brings
about a really painful experience with excessive cramps and abdominal pain.
Having medicines is also not advisable during this phase, so going the herbal
way is mostly recommended. Sipping a cup of warm peppermint tea can help in reducing the cramps and pain
because peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant.
Fight Bacterial Infections : Some research has suggested that essential
oils from peppermint may help kill harmful bacteria. One 2018 study found that
peppermint oil was found to kill and prevent the growth of common food-borne
bacteria including Escherichia coli, Listeria, and Salmonella
in pineapple and mango juices.
Peppermint
oil also kills several types of bacteria that lead to illnesses in humans,
including Staphylococcus
and pneumonia-linked bacteria. One 2015 reviewTrusted
Source
found evidence to suggest that peppermint oil can help reduce harmful bacteria
in the mouth, while one 2013 review Trusted
Source
concluded that menthol has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Improves Mental Awareness and Focus : In a study published in the International
Journal of Neuroscience, researchers found that peppermint enhanced memory and
increased alertness. Peppermint tea has been shown to improve brain function by
making us more mentally alert, improving memory retrieval, and reducing stress.
Studies have shown the scent of menthol stimulates the hippocampus area that
controls mental clarity and focus. The result when drinking peppermint tea is
increased feelings of rejuvenation and a refreshed focus that can help us
tackle the day.
Treats Motion Sickness And Nausea : Be it traveling issues or pregnancy sickness,
nausea is one element that irks the normal functioning of our body. The urge to
throw up makes us irritable and moody. Peppermint tea has antispasmodic
properties that can treat the feelings of nausea and prevent vomiting.
The
scent of peppermint can inhibit feelings of nausea while organic compounds in
the mint help to soothe stomach muscles that contract and lead to vomiting.
Drinking peppermint tea before boarding a plane, boat or while onboard a boat
can help to cure the feelings of motion sickness or sea sickness.
Reduces Fever : This
might be a bit surprising, but peppermint tea may also be beneficial for fever.
One of the main ingredients in mint tea is menthol, which has been shown to
help break a fever. Menthol has a body-cooling effect that lowers the
temperature of our body, both internally and externally. This may lead to
reducing the fever and the related inflammation and discomfort.
Helps You Sleep Better : For a good night’s sleep, we all need to get
rid of all the pressures and the tiredness of the day. Having caffeine
increases our anxiety level. Peppermint tea is an ideal choice before bed, as
it’s naturally caffeine-free. It calms our senses and helps us feel relaxed,
facilitating sleep.
Controls Anxiety And Stress : Stress is one of the most common problems
prevalent in today’s time and affects youth and elderly alike. Rushed
lifestyles, pressure, competition – there are a lot of reasons why people fall
prey to stress. Herbal teas have been proven to be the best in such
circumstances. Peppermint tea is common in aromatherapy and Ayurveda as a way
to reduce stress and increase overall wellbeing and peace. That's because
peppermint tea contains natural sedative qualities that help us unwind after a
long day.
Controls Diabetes & High Blood Pressure : Stretched work hours and no time for personal
leisure have made us all susceptible to high blood pressure. It isn’t even
surprising nowadays to stumble across a few teenage high BP patients as well!
Opting for medicines all the time is not preferred, especially with such young
cases.
The
relaxing properties of menthol in peppermint tea help in making our body
tension-free, hence helping control high blood pressure. It has been proven
that the oral administration of menthol can reduce the 24-hour mean arterial
systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Warm
peppermint tea has been found to be effective in helping to control
diabetes too. The
phenolic compounds found in the mint plant and their antioxidant properties may
assist in controlling type 2 diabetes. They even contribute to sustaining the
plasmatic antioxidant levels and helping to prevent vascular diseases that
accompany type 2 diabetes.
HOW TO MAKE MINT TEA Mint tea bags are widely available in many health and grocery stores. However mint tea can quickly be made at home using only mint leaves and hot water.
To make mint tea at home:
- Add 2 cups of water to a pot.
- Bring the water to the boil, turn off the heat.
- Add around four or five torn mint leaves to the water.
- Cover the pot and let the leaves steep for 5 minutes, or
according to taste.
- Strain the tea into a mug.
HOW MUCH TO DRINK A person can drink peppermint tea throughout the day.
Peppermint
tea is naturally caffeine-free, which means that it will not keep us awake at
night.
Peppermint
tea also contains zero calories, which can make
it a great alternative to soda, fruit juices, and other sugary drinks.
However,
flavoring the tea with sugar, honey, or cream will add calories to the drink.
CONCLUSION
Peppermint
tea and the natural compounds found in peppermint leaves may benefit our health
in several ways. Peppermint tea is a popular herbal tea that is naturally
calorie- and caffeine-free. Some research has suggested that the oils in
peppermint may have a number of other health benefits, such as fresher breath,
better digestion, and reduced pain from headaches. Peppermint tea also has antibacterial
properties.
So
we must practice of consuming peppermint tea daily in our life to be healthy
naturally instead of taking any other caffeine contained tea.
