Are you thinking about drinking peppermint tea? Known for its refreshing, minty flavor, this tea could be an ideal option for anyone who enjoys the taste of peppermint.
7 Awesome Peppermint Tea Health Benefits
That being said, there are also a number of health benefits we can stand to gain when we drink peppermint tea. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
#1. Peppermint Tea Could Help Reduce Gastrointestinal Symptoms
One of the most well-known health benefits of peppermint tea is its ability to potentially gastrointestinal (GI) problems. It’s a popular option for reducing uncomfortable stomach symptoms, including gas, bloating, nausea, and an upset stomach.
Thanks to the menthol it contains, peppermint has been found to offer muscle-relaxing benefits. For this reason, it should come as no surprise to learn that in animal studies, peppermint has been proven to help relax the digestive system. Research has also found that it could help reduce GI pain.
The good news is that this research has carried over to humans, too.
If you suffer from IBS, peppermint could be beneficial for you. A meta-analysis of nine studies, which consisted of more than 900 people, found that peppermint oil helped reduce IBS symptoms by 40% in just one month’s time.
The effects aren’t only apparent in adults, either. A meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials made up of more than 1,900 children found that peppermint oil helped relieve the length, severity, and frequency of abdominal pains.
Peppermint oil may also be advantageous for cancer patients. One study found peppermint oil capsules to be effective at reducing nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients.
Although these studies all involve peppermint oil, many believe that peppermint tea offers similar benefits.
#2. Peppermint Tea Could Potentially Reduce Menstrual Cramps
If you suffer from painful menstrual cramps, peppermint tea might be the solution you’ve been looking for. Thanks to its muscle-relaxing benefits, it stands to reason those menstrual cramps could be relieved by consuming peppermint. The menthol in peppermint oil, and thus, peppermint tea, might help reduce uterine contractions and cramping.
In one Iranian study, which consisted of more than 100 women, peppermint oil was found to be just as effective at offering pain relief for menstrual cramps as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug. This means that drinking a cup of peppermint tea could potentially be more effective at reducing the severity of cramps as taking ibuprofen, Advil or Aleve.
#3. Peppermint Tea Could Help Relieve Sore Throats and Nasal Congestion
If you’re suffering from a bad cold or Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), peppermint tea could help.
The menthol this tea acts as a decongestant, which could help reduce sinus problems and make it easier to breathe when you feel stuffed.
The menthol in peppermint may also help reduce inflammation of the throat, making it a great option for soothing a sore throat. It may also help reduce coughing.
In addition to drinking the tea, breathing in its steam may also help with some of these symptoms.
#4. Peppermint Tea Might Help Reduce Bad Breath
There’s no doubt that peppermint’s refreshing flavor could leave us with the feeling of better breath. However, it’s possible that the tea might actually help reduce bad breath (halitosis) from a medical standpoint, too.
Peppermint contains antibacterial properties, which may help reduce the bacteria that cause dental plaque. The end result may be an improvement in bad breath.
One study of Iranian school girls found that those who received a peppermint mouthwash experienced an improvement in bad breath after just seven days.
If you suffer from halitosis, it might be worth giving peppermint tea a try.
#5. Peppermint Tea Could Improve Sleep and Boost Energy
Many tea drinkers opt for peppermint tea before bedtime. It’s an ideal option for anyone who doesn’t want to experience insomnia, since it doesn’t contain caffeine. As it turns out, it might actually help you sleep, too.
According to research performed by the USDA, peppermint’s muscle-relaxing abilities could potentially help you get more shuteye. Another study, out of Serbia, found that mice who were given a sedative slept longer when given peppermint oil.
Peppermint could also potentially give us more energy. UK researchers found that people who consumed peppermint oil experienced less fatigue during cognitive testing.
It might also be ideal for people who experience a lot of daytime fatigue. Peppermint oil aromatherapy has been found to reduce daytime sleepiness.
If you’re a chronically tired person, it might be ideal to consider drinking peppermint tea. Between its potential to help you get more sleep and boost energy levels, it could be the solution you’ve been looking for to feel less sluggish and boost your productivity.
#6. Peppermint Tea Can Relieve Migraines and Headaches
If you suffer from migraines and headaches, it may be worth giving peppermint tea a try. Thanks to its muscle-relaxing abilities, peppermint has been found to offer relief to people suffering from these problems.
Peppermint oil contains menthol. This might help increase blood flow and provide a cooling sensation, which could play a role in headache and migraine relief.
Research has found that in order to reap the benefits of peppermint oil, one must apply it to the forehead. It’s possible that drinking peppermint tea – and smelling it – could also potentially aid in headache and migraine relief.
#7. Peppermint Tea Might Help Aid in Weight Loss
Although there’s not a whole lot of science to back this one, it’s believed that drinking peppermint tea could potentially aid in weight loss. Here’s how.
One very small study found that taking a peppermint oil capsule helped with appetite reduction. Theoretically, it’s also believed that peppermint’s sweet flavor might also help reduce sweets cravings in some individuals.
Now, we’re not saying that peppermint tea alone will help you lose weight. But when combined with a well-balanced diet and exercise regimen, it might help.
Although there’s no doubt that more research is obviously needed on this possible health benefit, it’s just one more reason to consider drinking this tea.
Peppermint Tea Health Benefits Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of great reasons to drink peppermint tea. From an improvement in GI symptoms to possible appetite reduction, this tea has so many potential benefits to offer. Best of all, it tastes great! It’s naturally sweet, caffeine-free, and can be safely consumed at any time of day. Drink up!
