Peppermint Tea

Are you a peppermint tea fan?

I really hadn't been until recently, even though I have an amazing Organic Peppermint Tea in the store. I sell a lot of it but personally kind of ignored it as a tea I would drink. There were always other teas I frequented — until the last couple of weeks. I came across an article about peppermint tea's benefits, so I thought, what the heck, let's go for it.

Here is a little info about Peppermint tea. It's actually an herbal tea (also called an infusion or tisane). It is made by steeping actual peppermint leaves in water. Peppermint is the most popular type of mint. Although it is grown everywhere around the world, peppermint originated in Europe and Asia as a mix of two plants in the mint family: watermint and spearmint. Peppermint contains a lot of menthol, so it's cooling and energizing. It's naturally caffeine-free, and you can drink it hot or over ice.

6 HEALTH BENEFITS OF PEPPERMINT TEA

1. Relieves Digestive Issues

The next time you have an upset stomach, sip on peppermint tea. Peppermint leaves can soothe gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas, and indigestion. Peppermint is also helpful for managing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common gastrointestinal disorder. The menthol in peppermint has pain-relieving and antispasmodic properties, which can reduce muscle spasms that cause stomach cramps.

2. Reduces Menstrual Pain

The next time you or someone you love has cramps, try a cup of peppermint tea. The menthol in peppermint can help relax muscle spasms, ultimately reducing painful menstrual cramps.

3. Offers Antioxidants

Peppermint leaves are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants are beneficial compounds that help keep us young and healthy by fighting free radicals or harmful molecules that can cause cellular damage.

4. Relieves Congestion - Do You Have A Cold or Allergies?

Another benefit of drinking peppermint tea is that it may help relieve congestion. The menthol in the leaves has decongestant properties. It works by thinning mucus and reduces swelling in nasal passages. I had a bit of fall seasonal allergy nasal congestion, and this is what prompted me to drink peppermint tea. I drank it all week, and guess what? It really worked. I enjoyed a big mug; yep, I'm a 16-ounce kind of gal in the morning, and then I sipped my second mug in the afternoon. What a difference it made. I also added some of my Chamomile Herbal Tea to my brew; it was wonderful!

5. Eases Headaches

Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Peppermint is a popular natural remedy due to the plant's relaxing and pain-relieving effects. The smell is also invigorating and refreshing, which may help with headaches. So, before you brew a cup, take a few deep breaths of this refreshing plant.

6. Contains No Caffeine

Peppermint tea is naturally caffeine free. If you are sensitive or if caffeine bothers you, peppermint can be a nice option, especially in the evening, to help you relax.

STEEPING TIPS

You will want to use boiling water or just a hint below. Aim for somewhere between 208-212 degrees.

Don't be skimpy with your peppermint leaves; use a generous amount of tea, as the leaves are light and fluffy.

Always pour water over the leaves and steep for at least 5 minutes. If life gets in the way and you accidentally forget about your tea, it'll still be fine when you get back to it. Peppermint tea is pretty forgiving when it comes to the steeping time because you can steep it longer than 5 minutes. The tea will still taste great and won't get overly bitter.

You can enjoy peppermint tea, either hot or iced. Feel free to experiment with adding milk, honey, or sugar to either version. Just make sure you add it to the hot tea first if you're going to be making it into an iced tea. The honey or sugar won't dissolve in cold tea. I found my iced peppermint tea stayed fresh in the fridge for 4 days in my Takeya Iced Tea Maker.

Just a note of caution: if you are allergic to rosemary, basil, oregano, or thyme, you may want to avoid peppermint because peppermint is part of the same family. Also, if you suffer from heartburn, you may want to go easy on or avoid peppermint. The muscle-relaxing properties in peppermint can relax the bottom of the esophagus allowing stomach acids to move back up into your throat.