MINT TEA : A NATURAL HERBAL REFRESHER

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.