Most of us associate peppermint tea with the antidote for a stomach ache in childhood or (cooled) with pleasant refreshment on a hot summer day. What other properties does it have?
Before we look at the benefits of drinking mint infusion, let’s check how to properly prepare it. It is recommended to pour 1 heaping spoon of fresh or dried mint leaves into 1 glass of boiling water and then brew under a lid for at least 5
minutes. Strain the tea prepared this way before drinking. In stores and pharmacies you can also get ready-made express mixtures in bags. In addition, to enjoy its unique taste even more, you can add lemon or camomile. It is not recommended to sweeten the infusion.
Perhaps the most popular use of peppermint tea is to treat stomach aches. This is not surprising, as the infusion has a diastolic effect – it reduces stomach cramps and prevents intestinal colic. It also helps with liver and bile duct disorders. When drunk after a heavy, indigestible meal it aids digestion, reduces flatulence and boosts metabolism.
The infusion is especially recommended for people suffering from gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome. Interestingly, regular drinking of peppermint tea can stimulate the appetite and at the same time reduce the craving for sweets.
Drinking mint can especially help in stressful situations. Its relaxing effects will allow the body to calm down and relax. Additionally, drinking the infusion in the evening will help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Peppermint tea has also been shown to help with neuralgia, migraine headaches, and even… hiccups!
The flavonoid content of peppermint tea makes it very good for mental performance. Therefore it should be drunk by pupils, students and people working mentally. A glass of the aromatic brew will make it easier to concentrate and improve learning and memory skills. Regular use of mint by elderly people will also help them maintain mental clarity for a longer period of time.
Drinking mint tea when you have a cold will help you cope with a runny nose and cough. All this is due to menthol, which is an essential oil with anesthetic actions and reducing irritation of the mucous membranes. In this case, it is recommended not only to drink the infusion, but also to make inhalations. Just bend your head over the steaming mint solution and breathe deeply. However, this treatment can not be carried out in children under the age of five.
This is not the end of the beneficial effects on our health that drinking mint tea brings. According to folk medicine, it can also be consumed to relieve menstrual pain or anxiety during menopause. Drinking a cup of the infusion will help you get rid of nausea, as well as deal with bad breath. Also, if you have irritated gums, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth with brewed mint.
Drinking peppermint tea by pregnant women will help to cope with morning nausea, or heartburn and flatulence often occurring in this state. The infusion is completely safe as long as the future mother does not suffer from stomach or duodenal ulcers. However, she should not drink more than 2 cups a day.
Brewing mint tea can also have a positive effect on our beauty. Compresses of the brewed infusion will help to eliminate dark circles under the eyes. Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of herbs help in fighting acne – it is enough to drink two cups of tea a day to enjoy beautiful and smooth skin after only two months. Another interesting solution is bathing in peppermint water, which moisturizes the skin, eliminates inflammation and relieves muscle tension. To enjoy your own homemade spa, place 1-2 handfuls of dried mint in a gauze, and then drop it under the stream of warm water filling the tub. You can just as well use ready-made tea bags, available in stores and pharmacies.
Peppermint tea should not be used by people with asthma, gastric and duodenal ulcers and breastfeeding women, as the menthol contained in it can inhibit lactation
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