Benefits of Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is a refreshing, herbal hot drink that is naturally sweet and surprisingly caffeine-free. This thirst-quenching drink has a distinct light-yellow colour and carries a smooth mint flavour. Peppermint tea is sourced and produced all over the world, with different blends offering slightly different flavour profiles. However, one feature is always consistent across all forms of peppermint tea: the drink has some unique health benefits. 

So, if you have been looking for a drink that tastes delicious but still offers some surprising health benefits, then peppermint tea could be for you. 

Boost Your Energy

Don’t let the fact that peppermint tea does not contain caffeine fool you; peppermint tea can still help to improve your energy levels. Some of the natural compounds found in mint (one of the main ingredients in peppermint tea) are shown to reduce fatigue and sleepiness. Additionally, the absence of caffeine in peppermint tea means your sleep won’t be disrupted. This means better and longer sleep, as well as less daytime fatigue and improved cognitive function. 

Relieve Tension Headaches and Migraines 

Migraines and tension headaches can be troublesome and annoying. They can make performing even the most mundane tasks challenging. Peppermint tea may be able to alleviate some of the unwanted symptoms of these headaches. 

For many people, a soothing and warm cup of tea can help to clear the mind and provide a much-needed boost. However, peppermint tea is a much more proven choice when it comes to combating pesky headaches. 

Peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever. The menthol in peppermint oil increases blood flow and provides a cooling sensation, possibly easing pain. 

Applying peppermint oil to your forehead or temples has been shown to alleviate headaches and migraine pain too. Similarly, the aroma and flavour of peppermint tea (especially due to the menthol it contains) can provide a relaxing effect.

Freshen Your Breath

From time to time, we all need a way to freshen our breath without having to brush our teeth. Sometimes, we may want to freshen our breath because we feel it smells too much like tea! Well, it may surprise you to know that peppermint tea can freshen your breath. 

When you think about it, some of the most popular chewing gum, toothpaste and mouthwash flavours are peppermint. This is for good reason. In addition to the pleasant smell, peppermint has antibacterial properties that can help to kill germs that cause dental plaque, which can lead to fresher breath. 

Unclog Your Sinuses

Blocked sinuses are never a pleasant experience, but a steaming cup of peppermint tea can be beneficial for a stuffy, blocked nose. With its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, drinking peppermint tea can help to unclog your sinuses if you have a cold, infection, or even an allergy. 

There have been many studies conducted into the impact that peppermint tea has on clogged sinuses. One study found that menthol improves the perception of airflow in your nasal cavity. Therefore, steam from peppermint tea may help you to feel as though your breathing is easier. Furthermore, warm liquids, such as tea, have been shown to (at least temporarily) improve symptoms of sinus congestion, helping with a runny nose, cough and sore throat. 

Good For Your Gut Health

Perhaps its most famous benefit, peppermint tea is said to ease digestion and improve gut health. Studies have shown that peppermint can relax the digestive system of animals, relieving spasms in the gut and easing overall gut pain. Many analysts have theorised that peppermint is likely to have the same effectiveness on humans. 

Additional research indicates that peppermint tea greatly reduces bloating, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Many individuals with IBS report that peppermint tea helps to alleviate a variety of their symptoms.

Help Reduce Nausea

Have you ever chewed gum or sucked on a mint to ease queasiness or motion sickness? While it might seem like an old wives’ tale, mint has long been a trusted remedy for reducing nausea. Peppermint tea is no exception; it stands out as a fantastic natural option for combating sickness. 

The soothing properties of peppermint oil (scientifically proven to reduce nausea and vomiting) suggest that peppermint tea could offer similar, stomach-settling benefits. The next time you’re feeling unwell or nervous, whether it’s because of an important exam or a drastic lifestyle change, consider reaching for a comforting cup of peppermint tea to help calm your stomach and ease your symptoms.

Aid With Weight Loss

If you have been looking for ways to lose weight, it may surprise you to know that peppermint tea can aid in your weight loss efforts. Firstly, peppermint tea is naturally calorie-free, so you can drink as much as you want without having to worry about weight gain. Secondly, the delicate mint flavour found in peppermint tea helps to reduce hunger and cravings whilst boosting metabolism and increasing fat loss. All this makes it much easier to stick to a healthy diet and will help you to achieve your weight loss goals. 

Protect Against Infections

While there have been no studies conducted on the effectiveness of peppermint tea in treating bacterial infections, peppermint oil has been proven to be extremely effective at killing bacteria. In one study, peppermint oil demonstrated the ability to kill and inhibit the growth of common food-borne bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella in pineapple and mango juices.

Additionally, peppermint oil has been shown to eliminate various bacteria that are responsible for human illnesses, including Staphylococcus and others associated with pneumonia.

Furthermore, additional studies have found that peppermint can treat several different types of bacteria that are commonly found in the mouth. 

Can Help With Seasonal Allergies

Suffering from allergies is never pleasant, whether it be minor or severe. Peppermint tea can help to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies. 

Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid, which is a plant compound commonly found in rosemary and plants in the mint family. The compound has been linked to reducing the effect of seasonal allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, itchy eyes and asthma. 

A study conducted in 2004 found that out of 29 people with seasonal allergies, those given oral supplements containing rosmarinic acid for 21 days saw a reduction in symptoms such as itchy nose and eyes. If you find yourself suffering from seasonal allergies, maybe peppermint tea can help. 

It May Improve Your Sleep

You would be forgiven for thinking that tea and sleep do not go together very well. After all, one of the primary purposes of tea is to wake you up! However, peppermint tea is different. Peppermint tea can aid in your sleeping efforts.

Other than the fact that it’s naturally caffeine-free, peppermint tea has other benefits that may encourage a good night’s sleep. Peppermint serves as a muscle relaxant, which may help you to relax in the lead-up to bedtime. Accompanying this is the warm and cosy feeling that some people get when drinking tea. It’s not hard to see why some people like to have this soothing drink before bedtime. 

Help Relieve Menstrual Cramps

Arguably the most surprising benefit is the fact that peppermint tea can help to relieve menstrual cramps. By virtue of the fact that peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant, peppermint tea can help to relax your muscles and significantly alleviate the pain that’s associated with menstrual cramps. 

Learn More About Peppermint Tea from YorkTest 

If you want to learn more about the benefits of various teas, then be sure to check out our recent blog on Fennel Tea, or The Surprising Benefits of a Daily Cup of Tea. At YorkTest, we cover all manner of health and lifestyle topics, ensuring that we always put your health first.