Mint tea has been used as a health remedy for years. Mint tea is a popular herbal tea that is appreciated around the world in different cultures. It has multiple nutritional benefits and an enticingly fresh aroma that complements its soothing taste. A delicious and soothing beverage, mint tea is a potent natural remedy. It has wide applications in the treatment of various ailments and as a general health tonic that offers multiple benefits for the mind and body.
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What is Mint Tea?
Mint tea is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant, Mentha piperita. This peppermint plant is an aromatic herb that yields an aromatic and refreshing beverage. Mint tea has a distinct taste and aroma that leaves a tingling sensation in the mouth. When you drink peppermint tea you will notice the cool sensation it gives you and the invigorating effect it has on the body.
Native to Europe, peppermint tea is readily available and quite popular among tea lovers as much for its taste as for its health properties. The following are the best health benefits of peppermint tea that you need to know.
1. Mint Tea Promotes Boosts Mental Clarity and Memory
Studies have shown that the scent of menthol stimulates the hippocampus in the brain. Mental clarity, concentration, and working memory are all boosted by the proper function of the hippocampus region from the brain. These stimulatory effects of the menthol in mint tea are achieved by consuming the peppermint tea and inhaling its fresh aroma.
Drinking mint tea in the morning will rejuvenate your mind and help you in staying focused and mentally energized throughout the day. It, therefore, makes a great pick me up beverage especially for people who are caffeine sensitive and cannot drink coffee.
2. Mint Tea is Good for Colds and Flu
Peppermint tea has a relaxing effect on the throat which makes it an effective remedy for coughs. The menthol in peppermint is also great at opening up airways and easing congestion making it an ideal remedy for people with severe colds and upper respiratory tract infections. The invigorating aroma of mint tea will also help in remedying held colds and runny noses.
If you are suffering from a common cold, sipping a hot cup of peppermint tea will help in alleviating the symptoms as well as soothe and relax the body. The sedative properties of mint tea will also help you sleep better when you have the flu or a common cold.
3. Mint Tea is an Effective Remedy for Halitosis
Mint tea has antibacterial properties that make it effective in eliminating the bacteria. Bad breath or halitosis is primarily caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. The potent anti pathogenic properties of mint tea help in eliminating these bacteria resulting in improved dental health.
The minty fresh after taste of peppermint tea will keep your breath smelling fresh long after you have finished your cup of peppermint tea. The fresh scent of peppermint tea works in two ways when it comes to halitosis.
On the one hand, it will help to camouflage bad breath and the other its antibacterial properties will kill the bacteria that causes bad breath. Make mint tea a regular part of your diet and boost your dental health.
4. Mint Tea is an Effective Remedy for Stomach Upsets
Mint tea is good for your stomach. It boosts digestion preventing conditions such as bloating and constipation. The menthol in mint tea also aids digestion by boosting the secretion of gastric juices which are needed for the efficient digestion of food in the digestive tract.
Mint tea also soothes stomach muscles helping to prevent stomach cramps and pains. By boosting digestion mint tea enables efficient movement of food along the digestive tract preventing conditions such as bloating and constipation.
The menthol in mint tea effectively soothes and relaxes stomach muscles and is an effective remedy for irritable bowel syndrome because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Having a cup of mint tea after your meals will help in proper food digestion and prevent stomach upsets.
5. Mint Tea is Good for Stress Management
When it comes to soothing and relaxing teas, mint tea is at the top of the list. From its fresh and invigorating fragrance to the cooling effect of menthol, everything about mint tea lulls the body into a relaxed and calm state. If you have had a stressful day and need to wind down, have a hot cup of mint tea. Sip it slowly while savoring the fresh scent of menthol and in no time, you will feel your body start to relax.
Another reason you should take mint tea for anxiety and stress relief is that it is caffeine-free. Caffeine boosts the production of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in the body. This means that when you are stressed, caffeinated beverages will only aggravate the situation. A caffeine-free beverage such as mint tea is the ideal option when dealing with stress because it will help in soothing and relaxing the body.
Apart from menthol, mint tea also has sedative compounds that help in inducing sleep and relaxation. This means that min tea can be taken as a bedtime tonic to improve the quality of sleep.
6. Mint Tea is Good for You Skin and Hair
The antibacterial properties of mint tea make it a good remedy for acne which results from the build-up of germs in the skin. The antiseptic properties of mint tea keep the skin healthy and germ-free. These properties also make mint tea an ideal solution to scalp problems such as dandruff. Mint tea has long been used as an anti dandruff treatment and to promote hair growth.
The menthol in mint tea will help in improving circulation in the scalp. Good circulation promotes hair growth. To reap the benefits of mint tea for your hair, wash your hair using mint tea and leave it on for at least ten minutes before rinsing off.
The characteristic skin redness in conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can be remedied using mint tea because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The cooling effect of menthol also helps in relieving inflammation.
Mint tea is not just refreshingly good, it is also a popular beauty remedy used in many cultures for skin and hair.
7. Mint Tea is Effective in Alleviating Nausea
Motion sickness, morning sickness and stomach upsets all come with the uncomfortable feeling of nausea. Mint tea is one of the most effective remedies for nausea. Its ability to relax the muscles in the stomach prevents the muscle contractions that cause nausea and vomiting. Apart from this antispasmodic effect, the fresh scent of menthol when taking a cup of mint tea is enough to keep nausea at bay.
To remedy any feelings of nausea, sip a hot cup of mint tea slowly and ensure you inhale the menthol fragrance as you do so. In no time, your stomach will settle and the feeling of nausea will dissipate.
8. Mint Tea Boosts the Body’s Immunity
A robust immune system is essential for a healthy body. The better your immunity is, the more adept your body will be in fighting off infections. Mint tea is packed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that boost the body’s ability to fend off infections and combat diseases.
Drinking mint tea regularly will make you less prone to infections and feelings of malaise. The antimicrobial properties of mint tea mean that it is effective in killing off disease-causing germs.
9. Mint Tea Promotes Weight Loss
Mint tea boosts metabolism in the body. metabolism is the process by which food is broken down to produce energy for the body. When the rate of metabolism is efficient, less food is stored as fat.
The body needs to burn fat efficiently in order to prevent excess storage of fat which results in weight gain. Teas with metabolism-boosting properties such as mint tea when combined with healthy eating and regular exercise can fast-track weight loss.
Mint tea also has for its appetite-suppressing properties that will help in curbing overeating, which is a major cause of weight gain. More weight loss articles here!
10. Mint Tea is an Effective Antipyretic
Mint tea is rich in menthol which has a cooling effect on the body and helps in bringing a fever down. When you drink a cup of mint tea, you will notice that you start to sweat more. Sweating is one of the body’s self-cooling mechanisms.
Mint tea is an effective remedy for fever, especially in cases of colds and flu. Apart from bringing down a fever, the muscle-relaxing properties of the menthol in mint tea enable it to alleviate the aches and pains that are associated with a high fever.
How to Brew Mint Tea
Mint tea can be brewed using mint tea bags, loose-leaf mint tea or fresh peppermint leaves.
- Step 1. Heat 2 cups of water
- Step 2. Once the water has boiled, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Step 3. Add your peppermint leaves or tea bag and allow the brew to steep for ten minutes while covered.
- Step 4. Strain into a cup and enjoy.
Mint tea can be taken either hot or cold depending on your preference. Since it is caffeine-free, you can enjoy it any time of the day.
Side Effects of Mint Tea
Mint tea is one of the healthiest herbal teas and should, therefore, pose no problems for most people. However, if you are sensitive to menthol, stay away from mint tea since it has significant menthol content.
Peppermint tea, you can actually increase your symptoms of heartburn and indigestion so if you suffer from acid reflux disease you should not consume peppermint tea.
Pregnant women should drink mint tea in moderation while breastfeeding mothers should avoid it altogether.
Conclusion
Mint is a beloved herb that has been used over generations as a natural remedy for a multitude of ailments. If you are looking for a healthy tea that tastes great and has an invigorating aroma, you cannot go wrong with mint tea. Mint tea is readily available in grocery shops and online and is easy to brew and enjoy. Boost your health by making mint tea a regular part of your diet.
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