Mint Infusion and Its 11 Health Benefits
Drinking peppermint tea is a delicious and refreshing way to stay healthy and can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and reduce pain. Native to Europe, peppermint tea and essential oils are readily available, and its invigorating, minty flavor makes it one of the most popular herbs worldwide.
You can buy mint leaves for tea at almost any grocery store, tea shops, or even grow them in your own garden or on your patio. Plus, since mint thrives best in the shade, you can grow it both indoors and outdoors year-round.
Keep reading if you want to know the benefits of drinking mint tea regularly.
What is mint infusion?
Peppermint infusion is a herbal tea, also known as a tisane, that has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of ailments. Available in a wide variety of forms, the two most popular varieties are peppermint and mint spicata.
Flavor
Peppermint infusion has a refreshing flavor with a tingling finish. Peppermint also provides natural sweetness, which is why it's commonly used as an ingredient in other infusions or tea blends.
Green tea with mint
Moroccan tea, a green tea with mint typical of Morocco, is very popular in the tea world. This tea is typically made with an intense green tea like Gunpowder and fresh mint leaves. Read our article "How to Make Moroccan Tea?" to learn more.
11 Benefits of Mint Infusion
1. Relieve menstrual pain
Peppermint tea may be effective in treating menstrual cramps and symptoms of dysmenorrhea, including nausea, diarrhea, and pain intensity and duration.
2. Increase alertness and improve mood
A study conducted on 180 volunteers showed that drinking peppermint tea can have a positive effect on mood and increase alertness. Although it doesn't contain caffeine, it's a good drink to refresh you and give you a boost of energy in the morning.
3. Improved memory
Studies have shown that mint can improve memory, both long-term and working memory, which is the memory system that helps us with complex cognitive processes, such as language comprehension or reading.
4. Help you sleep
Peppermint is a muscle relaxant and can provide relaxation before bed. It can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote better, healthier sleep. Because it doesn't contain caffeine, it's suitable for most people.
5. De-stressing
Studies show that mint is good for de-stressing, reducing frustration, anxiety, and fatigue. Some studies show that mint can even positively influence self-confidence.
6. Natural decongestant
Peppermint tea can be used to boost the immune system and treat the symptoms of the common cold. The menthol in peppermint can help loosen and loosen mucus from the lungs, helping you breathe more easily.
7. Antiviral activity
The antioxidants in peppermint tea increase circulation and allow white blood cells to move more quickly throughout the body, increasing the speed with which the body can fight viruses and bacteria.
Mint also contains essential vitamins and nutrients that can boost your immune system so you get sick less often. With compounds like antioxidants, B vitamins, potassium, and calcium, your body can more easily absorb nutrients and fight viruses more vigorously to stay healthy.
8. Weight loss
Although rarely used alone, peppermint is often an ingredient in many weight-loss blends. To promote weight loss, peppermint can aid digestion and stimulate gastric and biliary secretions, as well as intestinal motility, the movement that enables food to travel through the digestive system.
9. Helps digestion
In addition to soothing an upset stomach, peppermint tea can help regulate digestion so everything runs smoothly. A study conducted at the University of Exeter showed that peppermint tea moves gas throughout the body, relieving bloating and cramps.
The menthol in peppermint also increases bile in the stomach, helping to digest food more efficiently. This reduces the symptoms of diarrhea and constipation and can help keep the digestive system functioning optimally.
10. Reduce flatulence
Peppermint tea, in addition to aiding digestion, can also help relieve flatulence. It's one of the few teas often recommended to help with this problem.
11. Relieve headaches
Studies have shown that peppermint can be as effective in treating headaches as conventional medications. Peppermint oil applied topically can help with migraines, digestive-related headaches, and tension headaches.
Contraindications of mint infusion
As with most herbal teas, peppermint tea can have some minor side effects. People with allergies to ingredients such as menthol and those who suffer from acid reflux should avoid this tea. Pregnant women should monitor and limit their intake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Infusion
Does mint tea contain caffeine or theine?
Unless mixed with caffeinated ingredients, peppermint tea does not contain caffeine or theine. However, it may be the perfect option for increasing alertness without drinking caffeinated beverages. Research suggests that peppermint can increase alertness and improve memory.
Can I drink peppermint tea during pregnancy?
Peppermint is often used to relieve nausea and prevent vomiting, making it a potentially good herbal choice during pregnancy. However, keep in mind that there's no sure way to know which herb may benefit or harm a particular woman. A cup of peppermint tea is likely safe, but avoid excessive consumption of even caffeine-free teas during pregnancy.
How do you prepare mint infusion?
To prepare mint tea, bring the water to a boil and let a teaspoon of mint leaves steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you let the leaves steep, the more intense the flavor will be.
Replantea mint infusions
At Replantea we use organic mint and spearmint in some of our teas and infusions:
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