What are the benefits of spearmint tea?
Before we take a look at the health benefits of spearmint tea, let’s find out what spearmint is and where it comes from.
Mentha Spicata Labiatae or spearmint is an herbaceous perennial plant that is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now grown all over the world.
It is a perennial plant that is now more commonly found in Southern Asia and Europe.
Spearmint gets its name because of its spear shaped leaves.
Spearmint leaves actually combine with watermint to make peppermint which you’ve probably also heard of.
Both the spearmint herb and peppermint have a refreshing aroma and are used to add flavor to many different kinds of food and beverages
There are multiple health benefits in drinking both spearmint and peppermint tea as essentially they share very similar DNA.
In this article, we will focus solely on the amazing health benefits of spearmint tea.
If you are looking for a herbal tea with some serious scientific health benefits then check out this article on the wonders of ginger tea.
15 health Benefits of Spearmint Tea
The herbal effects of spearmint are becoming more widely well known and since the boom in herbal tea businesses over the past decade, spearmint tea has gained popularity.
Let’s look at the health benefits of drinking spearmint tea and how it can be a great hack for improving your body.
1. Eases Digestive Problems
Spearmint is widely used to ease digestive issues and for problems like nausea, gas and indigestion.
Spearmint contains the chemical compound carovne; this compound triggers the contraction of muscles in the digestive tract.
It is no surprise that over the counter medications for heartburn and indigestion contain spearmint extract.
According to a recent study conducted on people with irritable bowel syndrome, they were less likely to suffer from abdominal pain after being given a cup of spearmint tea.
Life hack – inhaling a small amount of spearmint essential oil is helpful in preventing vomiting and nausea.
2. Contains Anti-oxidant Properties
Research has shown that plants are filled with antioxidant properties which are helpful for the restoration of damage caused because of free radicals.
Free radicals are not good for your health as they cause oxidative stress in the body.
Oxidative stress is the root cause of many chronic diseases which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Spearmint oil is filled with antioxidant compounds including rosmarinic acid, less menthol, and vitamin c.
Consumed as part of a balanced diet, spearmint can work against harmful substances and aid in detoxing your body.
3. Great for women with Hormone Imbalances
Spearmint herbal tea is beneficial for women that have a hormonal imbalance.
Scientific evidence proves that drinking just two cups of spearmint tea a day can decrease testosterone levels or androgen levels in women with high amounts.
It is also good for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Trials on women with polycystic ovarian syndrome show that those who were taking spearmint had lower levels of male hormones into the body than those who weren’t.
4. Reduction in Facial Hair on Women
As we’ve discussed, spearmint is fantastic for restoring hormonal balance in women.
One of the beneficial effects are that it reduces hirsutism and lowers down the growth of dark unwanted hairs on the face, abdomen, and chest of women.
In the Middle East it is used as a natural remedy for restoring hormone levels.
Two study groups documented that the reduction of testosterone caused by drinking spearmint tea helped in diminishing the amount of facial hair growth amongst women.
5. Improves Memory of Older Adults
Emerging research suggests that spearmint, known for its flavor and fragrance, may have an impact on memory in older adults.
More research is needed to determine how the phytochemical properties work to do this.
But initial trials point towards a positive connection between the herb and memory retention over time.
- If you’re keen to develop your mindset then check out this article on gaining a growth mindset.
6. Helpful against Bacterial Infections
Spearmint is a popular flavoring agent in toothpaste, gum and breath mints.
But it does much more than just freshen your breath — it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which are great for oral health.
These hygienic properties help kill the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath.
Studies have found that spearmint essential oil is effective against several types of harmful bacteria and which cause bad breath.
In addition, it has been shown to work against some types of foodborne illnesses by protecting against their transmission in meats, fats, and vegetables.
7. Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
According to one animal study conducted on rats, spearmint may have a significant effect on lowering blood sugar.
Unfortunately, further human clinical research is needed to see if this result applies across the board.
So far there have not been any human studies in this area, but animal studies have shown that taking this herb may lower the high levels of sugar circulating in a rat’s system.
8. Great For Stress
Spearmint tea along with other teas such as barley tea and lavender tea have been shown to demonstrate stress busting feelings of relaxation.
It is unknown exactly what causes this but experts surmise that it is the aromatic nature of the tea when infused with hot water.
After inhaling the scent our brain sends chemical signals to our muscles to relax thus bringing about a feeling of calmness.
- Cannabis is a natural remedy for anxiety. Find out which strains are best in this article.
9. Good For Arthritis pain
Spearmint tea is known to help with the symptoms of arthritis.
A study done at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College found that spearmint tea can reduce the pain caused by arthritis.
Combining the active ingredients in spearmint with anti-inflammatory properties in other herbal teas like mint, ginger, and turmeric helps alleviate stiffness and immobility associated with the spine and joints.
10. Decreases Blood Pressure
Spearmint may help to lower your blood pressure by blocking calcium ion channels which cause it to rise.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that drinking herbal teas like spearmint can help patients with high blood pressure although so far no studies have been conducted.
11. Great for your diet
When choosing which herbal tea you want to drink, be sure to ask whether or not it’s caffeinated.
Caffeine can be a good wake-up call for a lot of people, but for others it can keep them up at night or irritate their bowels.
Drinking spearmint tea gives you the refreshing taste that you need to wake up without the caffeine issues attached.
Spearmint tea is also beneficial for weight loss.
If you’re struggling to find a sensible way to shed a couple pounds, then consider drinking a few cups of herbal tea a day.
12. Strengthens your Immune System
Spearmint tea packs a powerful punch as it is particularly strong and is packed with antioxidants.
The antibacterial and antioxidant qualities we mentioned earlier can greatly help support your immune system.
Thereby making itself stronger against viral diseases such as common colds.
13. Opens up your airways
What makes spearmint so beneficial for respiratory health is its abundance of anti-inflammatory properties.
As many people are aware, inflammation can make breathing difficult and can later lead to more debilitating conditions like asthma.
Spearmint provides relief from sore throats, clears nasal passages and eases chest congestion.
14. Calms an upset stomach
Take some fresh leaves, add water and boil until the leaves become soft.
Add honey to enhance the taste while the tea is still warm and you’ve found an age old method for relaxing your stomach muscles.
15. A natural cure for hair loss
Ok so this one may be more of an old wives tale than full backed by science!
Spearmint has been touted as a natural method of preventing hair loss in men.
You can use spearmint tea to help promote hair growth by massaging it like a shampoo in your scalp with warm water.
Once it has been allowed to sit for a few moments, wash out the solution and let it dry naturally.
Let us know how you get on with this one!
Health Benefits of Spearmint Tea - The bottom line
We understand that sometimes online there is a vast amount of information on natural products that may or may not yield any results.
But if nothing else, you should take away from this article that spearmint tea is packed with antioxidants and antibacterial ingredients that can benefit your body in a plethora of ways.
Remember that you can have too much of a good thing and overconsumption of any herbal tea can cause negative side effects.
It’s recommended that you limit yourself to three cups a day to avoid any unwanted health concerns.
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