Especially in the uncomfortable autumn and winter months, we often suffer from a cold or just don't feel so well. Especially in this gray time, we like to drink a hot cup of tea to help us through the day.
This article is about the popular peppermint tea and its effects. We explain the various positive effects that peppermint tea can have on your body and also explain any side effects.
the essentials in brief
- The effect of peppermint tea is mainly caused by the essential oils. Due to the high proportion of menthol, the tea can fight a variety of mild cold symptoms.
- Peppermint tea is mainly used for problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The better blood circulation relieves the cramps and relieves you.
- Side effects from the use of peppermint tea are hardly known. Most observed side effects only occur when using peppermint oil or menthol in higher concentrations.
Peppermint tea effect: What you should know
Peppermint tea is best known for its calming and antispasmodic effects on stomach problems . But also as a remedy for a cold, with the typical symptoms of a stuffy nose, a hot peppermint tea can provide relief. By inhaling the essential oils contained, the blood circulation in your nose is stimulated and you can breathe better again.
Many positive properties are attributed to peppermint due to its essential oil content. (Image source: icon0.com / Pexels)
Due to the menthol it contains, peppermint tea is considered a versatile remedy for a wide variety of ailments. If necessary, you can have a cup up to three times a day.
What are the effects of peppermint tea?
The effect of peppermint tea is mainly based on the essential oils it contains. These make up 0.5% - 4% of the total mass of the peppermint plant. Menthol makes up the largest proportion of these essential oils at 35% - 45%.
If you brew a hot cup of peppermint tea, these essential oils rise with the hot steam and stimulate blood circulation in the nose. This allows the blocked airways to appear more freely and breathing becomes easier.
Several clinical studies have now come to the conclusion that peppermint tea can have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The effects on irritable bowel syndrome were also examined. The ingredients contained are also said to have a pain-relieving effect. (1)
What effect does peppermint tea have on the stomach?
Peppermint tea has been recommended to many for stomach problems. If you are afflicted with cramps in your stomach, the pain can become quite uncomfortable and you will desperately seek relief. A hot cup of peppermint tea can work wonders.
Peppermint tea helps with problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
Peppermint tea is said to have a relaxing and calming effect on many ailments in the gastrointestinal tract. It is said to help with typical, cramping abdominal pain, but also to be effective against the so-called irritable bowel syndrome .
Peppermint tea stimulates bile production in the stomach. This is essential for optimal fat digestion. Because of this combination of antispasmodic properties and the increase in the effectiveness of fat digestion through increased bile production, peppermint tea can be an effective remedy for ailments in the gastrointestinal tract. (2)
What effect does peppermint tea have on my sleep?
Although peppermint tea is often said not to be consumed before bedtime, a cup of the tea can be beneficial for those with trouble getting a good night's sleep. The essential oils contained calm the body and the muscles also relax.
A cup of tea can be very relaxing. (Image source: Free-Photos / Pixabay)
The so-called flavonoids are probably responsible for the positive effect of peppermint tea on sleep. These are a group of natural substances and are found in many flower pigments. They should ensure less cramped muscles and relax them. This makes it easier to fall into a deep sleep. (3)
When should you take peppermint tea?
Peppermint tea can be drunk all year round. Due to its many positive properties, which are mainly due to the menthol it contains, peppermint tea is also suitable for more.
If you often suffer from gastrointestinal problems , a cup of peppermint tea is a good idea. The stomach is relaxed and the symptoms are relieved after a short time. Especially during vacation, when people eat a lot and a lot more often, reaching for peppermint tea can save an otherwise ruined vacation day.
Peppermint tea is also said to have an effect on mild headaches. In addition, the tea is also useful for problems with sleep. The relaxing effect on the muscles makes it easier to fall asleep and one should be able to fall into a deeper sleep. (4)
What can you use peppermint tea for?
The peppermint tea can of course be taken as a normal drink. Then it helps to cope with the heat, especially on hotter days. Due to the better circulation in the blood vessels, especially in the stomach and intestines, the peppermint tea gets into the body faster and refreshes.
Peppermint tea can also help with the well-known symptoms of gastrointestinal problems. Here, the anticonvulsant effect of the tea relieves the pain and also relaxes. Other uses include, for example, relieving mild headaches or relaxing muscles.
We have put together a small overview for you so that you can see the many possible uses of peppermint tea at a glance.
| application at | Effect |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal complaints | relieving cramps |
| fatigue | Dilation of the blood vessels leads to better blood flow |
| stuffy nose | Essential oils clear the airways |
| sleep disorders | Relaxes the muscles and helps you fall asleep |
What time of day can you drink peppermint tea?
For a revitalizing effect, it is advisable to take the peppermint tea in the morning. The hot tea and the menthol it contains dilate the blood vessels and improve blood circulation in the body. This makes you feel more awake. (5)
Although there are some conflicting opinions, peppermint tea can be consumed in the evening. Here, peppermint tea helps to relax the muscles. This makes it easier to get a deep sleep.
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What are the side effects of peppermint tea?
Although there are usually no problems with the consumption of peppermint tea, there can still be possible side effects when taking peppermint tea. This can cause heartburn and nausea in certain people.
Side effects rarely occur.
A dry feeling in the mouth or in the area of the anus can also occur. Due to the menthol content of peppermint tea, small children or infants may experience shortness of breath if the concentration of menthol is high enough.
If the tea comes into contact with the skin, allergic reactions may occur. However, the above side effects are more likely to occur when using peppermint oil. The consumption of peppermint tea is normally harmless. (6)
What alternatives are there to peppermint tea?
Since the special taste of peppermint tea is not a pleasure for everyone, it is not always an option in the case of corresponding complaints. That's why we've listed alternatives here that can have a similar effect to peppermint tea.
Although peppermint tea is highly recommended for problems in the gastrointestinal area, there are other types of tea that can have a positive effect on your body.
- Camomile tea
- sage tea
- Ginger tea
The above teas can be a suitable alternative to peppermint tea. We have therefore explained them in more detail in the following section.
Camomile tea
Like peppermint tea, chamomile tea is also suitable for calming the gastrointestinal tract. For colds, chamomile tea produces an internal warming effect. It is also said to have a calming effect. Chamomile tea is a proven home remedy, especially during periods of increased nervousness.
Due to its antiseptic components, chamomile tea can also be used as a gargling solution. This can prevent infections in the case of minor injuries in the mouth area. (7)
sage tea
The sage tea also has a warming property and can help with mild cold symptoms. However, sage tea is a good choice, especially for sore throats.
Here it helps especially with a sore throat or cough. Due to its ingredients, it dissolves the congestion and you can cough up better. The antibacterial properties of sage tea can also shorten the duration of a cold. (8th)
Ginger tea
The positive properties of ginger can also be used extremely well in the tea version. Ginger tea is particularly beneficial for nausea. A special property of ginger tea is its influence on the immune system.
Ginger contains many important vitamins, but also essential oils that can support the body's immune system. This may reduce the duration of a cold and get you back on your feet faster. (9)
Conclusion
It has been found that peppermint tea and its effect on the body can be quite positive. Peppermint tea helps with a variety of minor ailments thanks to the essential oils it contains. Especially with problems in the gastrointestinal tract, peppermint tea is a reliable choice when it comes to relieving cramps. Peppermint tea can also help with other, mild cold symptoms. In addition, peppermint tea stimulates bile production, which can help to relax the stomach, especially with a high-fat diet.
Peppermint tea can be drunk regardless of the time of day. Consumed early in the morning, it helps to wake up. A cup of peppermint tea in the evening, on the other hand, relaxes the muscles and enables a pleasant sleep. There are also hardly any side effects. Most of them only occur with allergies, or in the rarest of cases. They are often only known when using pure peppermint oil or menthol.
References
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A Review of the Bioactivity and Potential Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea (Mentha
piperita L.); Diane L. McKay* and Jeffrey B. Blumberg, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA Source
Xia X, Lin Z, Shao K, Wang X, Xu J, Zhai H, Wang H, Xu W, Zhao Y. Combination of white tea and peppermint demonstrated synergistic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. J Sci Food Agric. 2021 Apr;101(6):2500-2510. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10876. Epub 2020 Oct 30. PMID: 33058206. Source
Alkhatib A. Antiviral Functional Foods and Exercise Lifestyle Prevention of Coronavirus. nutrients. 2020 Aug 28;12(9):2633. doi: 10.3390/nu12092633. PMID: 32872374; PMCID: PMC7551447. Source
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Kamatou GP, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Lawrence BM. Menthol: a simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. phytochemistry. 2013 Dec;96:15-25. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.08.005. Epub 2013 Sep 17. PMID: 24054028. Source
Farco JA, Grundmann O. Menthol--pharmacology of an important naturally medicinal "cool". Mini Rev Med Chem. 2013 Jan;13(1):124-31. PMID: 23061635. Source
McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytother Res. 2006 Jul;20(7):519-30. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1900. PMID: 16628544. Source
Sá CM, Ramos AA, Azevedo MF, Lima CF, Fernandes-Ferreira M, Pereira-Wilson C. Sage tea drinking improves lipid profile and antioxidant defenses in humans. Int J Mol Sci. 2009 Sep 9;10(9):3937-50. doi: 10.3390/ijms10093937. PMID: 19865527; PMCID: PMC2769154. Source
Palatty PL, Haniadka R, Valder B, Arora R, Baliga MS. Ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(7):659-69. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.553751. PMID: 23638927. Source
