Peppermint tea can be made using fresh leaves, dried loose leaves or teabags. In teabags, peppermint may be mixed with other flavours, such as liquorice or fruit. It’s naturally caffeine-free, so you can drink it as often as you like.
Discover our full range of health benefit guides and get some more healthy tea inspiration. If you love mint, why not try our fresh mint tea?
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The benefits of peppermint tea may include:
- Some people report peppermint tea can help to ease bloating and indigestion.
- Caffeine-free, it won’t act as a stimulant.
- It may aid sleep, though the evidence isn’t clear on this.
- It may help to give you fresher breath.
- The menthol in the mint may help to clear a blocked nose.
Does peppermint tea have any nutritional value?
There is no nutritional value in terms of macronutrients in peppermint tea, and it only has around two calories per 100ml. Its value is in the essential oils and the potential health benefits they present.
Health benefits of peppermint tea
1. May ease bloating and indigestion
Peppermint tea is well known for its digestive effects as some people, anecdotally, find it can help relieve symptoms such as gas and bloating. As yet, there isn’t a lot of human research on the efficacy of peppermint tea, but some animal studies do show that it can have a relaxing effective on the digestive system.
Most research has been on peppermint oil, which is more concentrated than tea, with some evidence that it may offer some short-term relief for IBS sufferers. If you’re considering using peppermint oil or tea to manage IBS symptoms, speak to your GP first to ensure that it is suitable for you.
2. Caffeine-free
Pure peppermint tea is caffeine-free. If you are buying a blend of peppermint tea with either black or green tea, then this will contain caffeine.
3. Sleep-friendly
There is no research that supports claims that peppermint tea can help with sleep but, as it is caffeine-free, it is completely fine to drink before bed and may help you relax.
4. May support fresher breath
Peppermint is widely used in chewing gum, mints and toothpaste to freshen breath, and thanks to its natural antibacterial properties it may help to prevent bad breath.
5. May help with a blocked nose
While drinking peppermint tea won’t get rid of the cold itself, the menthol smell of the mint together with the steam from the tea may help improve nasal airflow if you have a blocked nose.
Are there any side effects to drinking peppermint tea?
There is some evidence that peppermint tea may not be suitable for those who have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) as it may in fact exacerbate symptoms rather than offer relief. If you struggle with heartburn, or have a hiatus hernia or kidney stones, it may be prudent to avoid peppermint tea, too, as while no adverse reactions have been found, it may, in some, make symptoms worse.
Some people are allergic to mint. The leaves themselves may cause irritation of the skin or eyes, such as itching and hives. If peppermint tea is consumed, then symptoms of a reaction usually occur within minutes, and may include an itchy tongue or throat, wheezing or a cough. In rare cases, this reaction can be severe and is a medical emergency.
Visit the NHS website to read more about allergies.
Can you drink too much peppermint tea?
Not really. The only side effect that you may experience would be the need for more frequent trips to the bathroom from the increased water intake.
How to buy the best peppermint tea
If you’d like to make peppermint tea using fresh leaves, you can buy a peppermint plant for your garden and cut off the fresh leaves, or buy packets of fresh leaves from a supermarket, and add to hot water. Alternatively, you can buy loose-leaf tea or teabags, which will be dried peppermint.
Check the labels to make sure it’s 100% peppermint and, ideally, if you’re buying teabags, make sure the bags are plastic-free and where possible, biodegradable.
Keep all dried tea in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Overall, is peppermint tea good for you?
The natural antibacterial properties in peppermint can help to keep your breath fresh, while the menthol in the mint could help to clear your airways when you have a cold. While the jury is out on whether peppermint tea can settle digestive complaints or help you get to sleep, some anecdotal reports suggest it could.
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Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.
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