Mint tea is used to improve digestion, reduce nausea, relieve headaches and menstrual pain. In addition to that, mint can help treat flu, colds and some infections caused by bacteria and fungi, it can even prevent some types of cancer, such as colon and breast.
The benefits provided by mint tea are due to the fact that it contains polyphenols and essential oils, providing analgesic, antispasmodic, antiseptic and soothing properties, being a good option to take after meals, improving digestive pain, or to take at night. to reduce insomnia.
This tea can be prepared with the fresh or dried leaves, using two different species of this plant, one known as peppermint, whose scientific name is Mentha spicata, and another known as peppermint or peppermint, whose scientific name is Mentha piperita. See all the benefits of peppermint.
What is it for and benefits
Mint tea is good for:
1. Treat digestive problems
Because peppermint tea acts as a relaxant to gastrointestinal smooth muscle, it helps reduce spasms that cause cramps and digestive pain. Also this herb can decrease nausea, vomiting, bloating, and excessive belching.
In addition to this, mint tea has a stimulating effect on bile secretion, improving the digestion of food.
Likewise, there are studies that show that mint could alleviate symptoms attributable to irritable bowel, controlling diarrhea in adults and children. [1] [2]
2. Relieve headache
The consumption of mint tea is recommended for headache therapy and migraines, as it has anesthetic properties, which can help reduce pain. In addition to this, mint tea can reduce the nervous and muscular tension that influences this type of pain.
3. Treat flu and colds
Mint has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and vasodilator properties that can help relieve colds or flu, sore throats and even be used as a complement to treatment for allergic rhinitis and bronchitis.
It has been shown in some studies that mint could help reduce coughing and nasal congestion by improving nasal flow, as it has a stimulating effect on the palatine nerve.[3] [4]
4. Relieve menstrual symptoms
It has been confirmed that mint has positive effects in the treatment of menstrual pain, since it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
In one study the results showed that peppermint can reduce the duration and severity of menstrual cramps. Although the effect of mint may be less than an analgesic, it can be used to accompany treatment.[5]
5. Prevent the development of cancer
In some research, peppermint has been shown to have anticancer properties in human cells, which help reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer.
In a study where tests were carried out with the extracts of mint leaves, it was possible to verify its inhibitory effect on growth in some types of human cancer, such as colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and leukemia. [6]
6. Treat infections
Mint contains piperitone oxide, a compound that has antiparasitic properties, acting effectively as a supplement for the treatment of some infections caused by parasites, such as amoeba and giardia.
In addition to this, mint has antibacterial action, acting against some bacteria, such as staphylococci, and antifungal action, helping to eliminate some fungi such as candida.
7. Improve mental fatigue and nerves
Mint contains menthol and menthone, which exert activity on some receptors and components of the central nervous system, helping to improve the quality of sleep, decrease nerves, mental fatigue and improve performance in demanding cognitive tasks, as for example in the study .
See more about the health benefits of mint in the video below:
Properties of mint tea
Mint tea has digestive, analgesic, immunostimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and stimulant properties. These properties are due to the active compounds that mint has, such as menthol, menthone and piperitone oxide, for example.
How to prepare it
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of mint leaves;
- 150 ml of water.
preparation mode
Place 150 ml of water in a pot and wait for it to boil, remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon of mint leaves. Next, you need to cover the glass and let the infusion stand for 5-10 minutes, strain and drink.
Recipes with mint tea
The teas can be prepared using the two types of mint, according to the benefits that are intended, some recipes are:
1. Common mint tea for fever
Mint leaf tea with bitter orange, creates a mixture that can be used in the treatment of fever, since it promotes increased sweating. In addition to this, it is also good for respiratory problems, such as cough, asthma, flu, hoarseness, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
Ingredients
- 15 g of mint leaves;
- 5 g of bitter orange.
preparation mode
In a tea cup add 1 tablespoon of the plant mixture and add 150 ml of boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be taken several times a day and preferably always before going to bed, to promote sweating and reduce fever.
2. Mint tea for stomach pain
Mint tea, when combined with licorice root (crushed licorice) and chamomile flowers, creates a mixture that can be used in the treatment of inflammation in the stomach, such as gastritis or in cases of gastric ulcer. This is because chamomile has calming properties that help alleviate symptoms and promote well-being.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried mint leaves;
- 1 teaspoon of crushed licorice;
- 1/2 teaspoon of chamomile flowers.
preparation mode
Mix all the plants in a tea cup and add 150 ml of boiling water. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be taken 3 to 4 times a day to help calm the stomach. See other benefits of chamomile.
3. Peppermint tea for colic or gas
The dried peppermint leaf tea can be used to relieve menstrual cramps and intestinal gas. Learn more about the properties of peppermint.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons dried whole or crushed peppermint leaves or 2 to 3 fresh leaves;
- 150 mL of boiling water.
preparation mode
Place the mint leaves in a tea cup and fill it with boiling water. Let the infusion stand for 5 to 7 minutes and strain. This tea should be drunk 3 to 4 times a day, preferably after meals.
4. Lemon balm tea to improve digestion
Peppermint tea when combined with dried fennel or anise seeds and lemon balm leaves, can be used to relieve stomach aches and spasms. See other health benefits of lemon balm.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves;
- 2 teaspoons of fennel or anise seeds;
- 2 teaspoons lemon balm leaves.
preparation mode
Place 1 tablespoon of the previous mixture in a cup and fill with boiling water. Let the infusion stand for 10 minutes and strain. This tea can be taken 2 to 3 times a day, and preferably after or between meals.
5. Mint and storm tea against diarrhea
Mint leaf tea together with tormentilla leaves is good for aiding digestion, reducing nausea and vomiting, calming intestinal colic and diarrhea.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of dried or crushed fresh mint leaves;
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of dry or fresh storm roots;
- 150 ml of boiling water.
preparation mode
In a cup add 2 to 3 tablespoons of mint and 150 ml of boiling water. Cover and leave resting during 10 minutes. This tea should be taken 3 to 4 times a day, preferably after or between meals.
6. Mint tea with linden and valerian for nerves
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of fresh dried or crushed mint leaves;
- 2 tablespoons of dried linden leaves;
- 2 tablespoons of dried valerian leaves
- 150 ml of boiling water.
preparation mode
Place 1 tablespoon of the previous mixture in a cup and fill with boiling water. Let the infusion stand for 10 minutes and strain. This tea should preferably be taken at night to improve anxiety and nerves.
Side effects
So far, there are no toxicity studies with the consumption of mint tea and no side effects that threaten health have been reported, so it is apparently safe when ingested in the recommended doses.
contraindications
Mint tea should be used with extreme caution in children under 2 years of age, in pregnant or lactating women, its consumption being recommended only under medical authorization.
Mint is also contraindicated in people with gallstones, occlusion of the bile ducts, and inflammation of the gallbladder, due to the choleretic effect of mint.
Peppermint is also not recommended in cases of gastroesophageal reflux, hiatus hernia, liver disorders, and kidney stones.
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