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12 Mint Tea Benefits

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Mint tea is a delicious and highly beneficial beverage with numerous health benefits. Generally, the tea is consumed for its flavor and aroma, but the nutritional value of mint makes it a medicinal tea.

You may prepare mint tea by buying manufactured tea bags from nearby grocery stores. On the other hand, some people prefer using natural mint in their tea.

But, whichever the case, mint tea offers similar health benefits to its consumers. Hence, this article lists multiple health benefits you may get by drinking mint tea regularly.

Mint Tea Benefits

  1. Freshens The Breath

    Consuming mint tea may benefit as a mouth freshener. Several users have shared that peppermint tea has helped them lower foul breath.

    Hence, mint is primarily preferred as a core ingredient[1] in chewing gums, mouth fresheners, and other refreshing products.

    Consuming mint tea may offer a cooling sensation alongside cleansing the mouth. Moreover, some unique compounds in mint may fight bacteria to avoid bad breath.

    Therefore, replacing other hot or cold beverages in the morning with mint tea may help maintain oral hygiene.

    You may add additional ingredients like lemon to enhance the flavor and benefits.

  2. May Aid Digestive Problems

    Peppermint tea could be beneficial[2] in several digestive issues like indigestion, gas, bloating, etc. You may feel relieved after consuming a cup of mint tea.

    The mint tea may help prevent the contraction of smooth muscles, which relieves the gut spasm.

    Some consumers have also revealed that regular mint tea consumption may help lower[3] irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

    Moreover, the tea may reduce[4] the severity of nausea and prevent vomiting. Mint tea consumption reduces digestive problems because of the cooling and relaxing effects.

    Therefore, consuming peppermint oil may reduce inflammation and muscular strains in the gut.

  3. Potentially Reduces Common Cold And Flu Symptoms

    Mint oil functions as a medicinal beverage that may help reduce[5] the irritating symptoms of the common cold and flu.

    Drinking hot mint tea may aid in relaxing the sore throat. Moreover, the tea reduces the pain and irritation due to cough by relaxing the throat muscles.

    Peppermint leaves contain menthol, an active compound found in mint, which acts as a relaxant.

    It could help in the smooth passage of air, relieving congestion and lowering the severity[6] of medical conditions like bronchitis.

    Additionally, the antioxidants present in mint leaves may help fasten the movement of white blood cells by increasing blood circulation.

    Hence, increased white blood cell movement would result in faster elimination of disease-causing agents.

    Moreover, the antibacterial properties could help reduce harmful bacteria.

  4. May Lower High Body Temperature

    Fever could be due to multiple reasons, but mint tea may help lower the increased body temperature.

    The presence of menthol in mint tea could be a potential reason for reducing fever symptoms.

    Moreover, mint tea drinking may induce sweating in consumers. Hence, consuming the beverage may help increase sweating and reduce body temperature.

    Furthermore, sweating is an excellent way to detoxify the body. A significant increase in sweating may cause higher toxin and disease-causing microbe ejection from the body.

    Menthol has cooling properties that may help internally balance the body temperature.

    Experts suggest[7] that the muscle relaxant properties of menthol may help lower the ache and pain caused due to high fever.

  5. May Work As A Stress Reliever

    Mint leaves have been a part of Ayurvedic medicine and science for ages. Ayurvedic experts say that using mint relieves stress significantly.

    Therefore, mint tea consumption may help achieve overall wellness and peace. All these benefits[8] could be due to the natural sedative properties of mint leaves.

    Mint tea has anti-stress properties that help lower anxiety, resulting in balanced[9] blood pressure.

    Moreover, it helps to keep the body calm and relaxed. You may consume mint tea anytime as it is devoid of caffeine.

    Lack of caffeine has also been linked with relieving stress. Additionally, the lack of caffeine in mint tea would eliminate the jittery reaction resulting in improved mental peace.

  6. Induces Better Sleep

    Drinking mint tea regularly could be beneficial[10] in inducing better sleep and lower insomnia. The mint tea contains compounds that act as muscle relaxants.

    Hence, the tea may make you feel restful and relaxed to induce sound sleep. Moreover, mint tea doesn’t contain caffeine, a compound responsible for keeping you alert.

    Hence, lack of caffeine could also be a reason for a good quality of sleep. Mint leaves, the primary ingredient in mint tea, contain menthol that offers a cooling effect on the body.

    Menthol also clears congestions and promotes smooth metabolic activity essential for a good and comfortable sleep.

    Therefore, you may consume a cup of mint tea before getting into bed at night.

  7. Promotes Weight Loss

    Like other natural beverages, mint tea could be an effective[11] natural drink to reduce body fat. Mint tea is highly preferred for its soothing aroma and naturally sweetened flavor.

    But, the tea offers low-calorie; hence, a potential beverage to lower body weight. Mint tea may potentially replace other high-calorie beverages in the weight loss diet.

    Moreover, mint tea has been linked with improving[2] digestion resulting in better food processing in the gut.

    Mint tea could be beneficial in reducing appetite, which has a direct role in weight loss.

    But, you must not add sugar to mint tea to avoid consuming carbohydrates or excess calories during the weight loss process.

  8. Supplies Useful Antioxidants

    Mint tea is a powerhouse of multiple essential[12] antioxidants. People consuming sufficient antioxidants may prevent themselves from numerous health conditions.

    Drinking a cup of mint tea in the morning or evening may supply your body with a helpful antioxidant called rosmarinic acid.

    Moreover, other antioxidants like terpinene, quercetin, tocopherols, etc., could also be found in mint tea.

    Drinking these beneficial antioxidants may prevent you from free radicals and oxidative damage.

    The antioxidants help nourish the skin to prevent premature aging. Additionally, these compounds may lower[13] inflammation and risks of several chronic conditions like diabetes, heart problems, etc.

    Hence, making a habit of mint tea could be beneficial in reducing the risk of multiple health conditions.

  9. Suppresses Allergic Reactions

    Peppermint and rosemary plants share a common compound called rosmarinic acid which could help lower consumer allergic reactions.

    The compound may help control the severity of several[14] allergic reactions like itchy nose and eyes, asthma, and other respiratory issues.

    Moreover, drinking mint tea with high concentration may help lower the risk of developing seasonal allergies.

    But, solely rosmarinic acid might not be responsible for suppressing allergic reactions.

    Some other compounds in mint leaves may complement rosmarinic acid in reducing allergic reactions.

    But, additional evidence would be required to confirm other compounds’ roles in allergic reactions.

    You may consume mint leaves as other beneficial properties could help reduce cold-like allergic reactions.

  10. Keeps The Skin And Hair Healthy

    Dermatologists have highly recommended Mint tea to keep the skin healthy. Moreover, salons prefer using mint leaves containing products to nourish the scalp and hair.

    Mint could help reduce multiple scalp-related issues like itching, dryness, etc. Drinking or applying mint tea to the scalp may help reduce itchiness and soothe the dry scalp.

    Moreover, mint tea may increase the supply of fluids for nourishing and strengthening[15] the hair follicles.

    Mint leaves offer anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial in reducing skin redness due to acne and other skin conditions.

    Moreover, the antiseptic properties[16] of mint tea may fill the open pores in the skin to prevent the growth of microbes.

    The mint’s cooling effect could help avoid rashes and itchiness on the skin.

  11. Builds Active Immune System

    The immunity-boosting ability[17] of mint leaves could significantly cause its high consumption.

    Mint leaves boost an individual’s fighting ability against harmful microbes like bacteria, viruses, etc.

    Mint tea offers antiviral and antibacterial properties, which build an active immune system.

    Moreover, tea consumption boosts the immunity response time by increasing the movement speed of white blood cells.

    The mint tea contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and compounds that would help keep the body healthy and active.

    Generally, you may get potassium, B vitamins, calcium, multiple antioxidants, etc., in a cup of mint tea.

    Hence, mint tea is a healthy beverage for patients to boost their immunity instantly.

  12. Improves Memory And Focus

    Mint tea may improve brain functioning, resulting in improved memory and focus. Mint tea could benefit students to enhance their performance during exams.

    Moreover, it could be beneficial for older people to improve their memory.

    Sniffing the aromatic mint tea may help improve[18] cognitive functions that enhance an individual’s alertness, memory, and processing speed.

    Menthol and other compounds in mint tea may help your brain feel relaxed and prepared for learning things quickly.

    Additionally, it may increase the blood flow to the brain resulting in boosted functioning.

    But, some more evidence might be required to confirm mint tea’s ability to boost brain function.

Conclusion

Mint-containing beverages, especially mint tea, is highly preferred to keep the body active and healthy.

Some people consider customizing the tea by adding additional ingredients like lemon, honey, etc., to enhance the flavor.

But, alone, mint tea would be sufficient to offer multiple benefits, as mentioned above. You may go through all the listed points to get a brief idea of the advantages of mint tea consumption.

However, it is always better to consult with your health expert before adding mint tea to your diet to avoid any mishappenings.

References/Sources

Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.

  1. Roza Haghgoo and Farid Abbasi Evaluation of the use of a peppermint mouth rinse for halitosis by girls studying in Tehran high schools J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2013 Jan-Jun; 3(1): 29–31.doi: 10.4103/2231-0762.115702
  2. Bruno P. Chumpitazi, Gregory Kearns, and Robert J. Shulman Review article: The physiologic effects and safety of Peppermint Oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018 Mar; 47(6): 738–752.Published online 2018 Jan 26. doi: 10.1111/apt.14519
  3. N. Alammar, L. Wang, B. Saberi, et al. The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019; 19: 21.Published online 2019 Jan 17. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0
  4. Hajar Pasha, Fereshteh Behmanesh, Farideh Mohsenzadeh, et al. Study of the Effect of Mint Oil on Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012 Nov; 14(11): 727–730.Published online 2012 Nov 15. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.3477
  5. Common colds: Relief for a stuffy nose, cough and sore throat Last Update: October 8, 2020; Next update: 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279542/
  6. Dnyaneshwar J Taur and Ravindra Y Patil Some medicinal plants with antiasthmatic potential: a current status Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011 Oct; 1(5): 413–418.doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60091-9
  7. Seyedeh Maryam Sharafi, Iraj Rasooli, Parviz Owlia, et al. Protective effects of bioactive phytochemicals from Mentha piperita with multiple health potentials Pharmacogn Mag. 2010 Jul;6(23):147-53. doi: 10.4103/0973-1296.66926. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20931070/
  8. Fatemeh Akbari, Mansour Rezaei, and Alireza Khatony Effect Of Peppermint Essence On The Pain And Anxiety Caused By Intravenous Catheterization In Cardiac Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial J Pain Res. 2019; 12: 2933–2939.
    Published online 2019 Oct 21. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S226312
  9. Abbas Meamarbashi Instant effects of peppermint essential oil on the physiological parameters and exercise performance Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014 Jan-Feb; 4(1): 72–78.
  10. Daneiva C Caro, David E Rivera, Yanet Ocampo, et al. Pharmacological Evaluation of Mentha spicata L. and Plantago major L., Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Anxiety and Insomnia in Colombian Caribbean Coast Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Aug 7;2018:5921514. doi: 10.1155/2018/5921514. eCollection 2018. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30158996/
  11. Rana M. Jamous, Salam Y. Abu-Zaitoun, Rola J. Akkawi, et al. Antiobesity and Antioxidant Potentials of Selected Palestinian Medicinal Plants Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018; 2018: 8426752.Published online 2018 Jun 13. doi: 10.1155/2018/8426752
  12. Zhaohai Wu, Bie Tan, Yanhong Liu, et al.Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils from Peppermint, Native Spearmint and Scotch Spearmint Molecules. 2019 Aug; 24(15): 2825.Published online 2019 Aug 2. doi: 10.3390/molecules24152825
  13. Lien Ai Pham-Huy, Hua He, and Chuong Pham-Huy Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health Int J Biomed Sci. 2008 Jun; 4(2): 89–96.
  14. Naomi Osakabe, Hirohisa Takano, Chiaki Sanbongi, et al. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect of rosmarinic acid (RA); inhibition of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) and its mechanism Biofactors. 2004;21(1-4):127-31. doi: 10.1002/biof.552210125. Available from:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15630183/
  15. Ji Young Oh, Min Ah Park, and Young Chul Kim Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs Toxicol Res. 2014 Dec; 30(4): 297–304.doi: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297
  16. Irem Unalan, Benedikt Slavik, Andrea Buettner, et al. Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Peppermint Essential Oil Loaded Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) Electrospun Fiber Mats for Wound Healing Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2019; 7: 346.
    Published online 2019 Nov 26. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00346
  17. Jonathan Isbill, Jayanthi Kandiah and Natalie Kružliaková Opportunities for Health Promotion: Highlighting Herbs and Spices to Improve Immune Support and Well-being Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020 Oct; 19(5): 30–42.
  18. Mark Moss, Steven Hewitt, Lucy Moss, et al. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang Int J Neurosci. 2008 Jan;118(1):59-77. doi: 10.1080/00207450601042094. Available from:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18041606/

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