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Spearmint tea can be used for medicinal purposes, because it has antioxidant, analgesic, digestive, decongestant, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, being a great option to improve digestion and tiredness, and relieve cramps and the headache, for example.
In addition, mint tea also has anti-parasitic action, which can help fight infection by parasites such as amoebiasis and giardiasis, for example.
Spearmint tea can be prepared with two different types of this plant, one known as common mint, which has the scientific name of Mentha spicat a, and another known as peppermint, or Mentha piperita. Discover all the benefits of peppermint.
Spearmint tea is rich in flavonoids and essential oils such as limonene and menthol, which provide several he alth benefits, as noted below:
1. Treating Digestive Problems
By acting as a relaxant for the stomach and intestines muscles, mint tea helps to reduce contractions that cause pain and discomfort. This drink also helps to reduce nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating and gas.
Spearmint tea also stimulates the secretion of bile, a compound produced by the gallbladder, keeping the liver functioning properly and improving food digestion.
Also, some studies[1], [2] show that mint can also alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, decreasing symptoms such as gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
2. Relieve the headache
Consumption of mint tea is indicated to relieve headaches and migraines, as it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce pain.
In addition, mint tea also has a relaxing action, reducing nervous and muscle tension, which can cause headaches.
3. Help treat colds and flu
Having anti-inflammatory, antiviral, decongestant and expectorant properties, mint tea reduces coughing and nasal congestion, helping to treat colds, flu and sore throats.
4. Relieve menstrual symptoms
Spearmint tea helps relieve the symptoms of menstruation, reducing the duration and severity of menstrual cramps, as it has relaxing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Preventing the emergence of cancer
Spearmint tea contains antioxidants, protecting he althy cells against free radicals and helping to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as colon, breast, lung and leukemia.
6. Improve mental fatigue
Because it contains menthol and menthone, essential oils that act as mild stimulants in the central nervous system, peppermint tea helps to reduce mental fatigue and improve focus on tasks such as studying and reading.
7. Treat infections
Spearmint tea contains piperitone oxide, a compound that has anti-parasitic properties, acting as an adjunct in the treatment of infections caused by parasites such as amoeba and giardia.
In addition, mint tea also has bactericidal and antifungal action, which can help complement treatments for caries, bad breath and oral candidiasis, for example.
See with nutritionist Tatiana Zanin other benefits of mint tea in the following video:
How to prepare
To prepare mint tea, boil 150 ml of water, and when it starts to boil, turn off the heat. Then, just add 1 tablespoon of mint leaves, cover, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and drink.
Recipes with mint tea
Teas can be prepared with common mint or peppermint.
1. Peppermint Tea for Fever
Mint leaf tea, when combined with bitter orange, is good to help treat fever because it promotes increased sweating. In addition, it is also good for respiratory problems such as cough, asthma, flu, hoarseness, runny nose and nasal congestion.
Ingredients:
- 15 g mint leaves;
- 5 g of bitter orange;
- 150 ml of water.
Preparation method:
Add 1 tablespoon of the mint leaves mixture with the bitter orange in the boiling water. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes and strain. This tea can be drunk several times a day, preferably before going to bed to increase sweating and reduce fever.
2. Peppermint Tea for Stomach Pain
Spearmint tea with crushed licorice root and chamomile flowers helps treat stomach inflammation such as gastritis and gastric ulcer. That's because chamomile has calming properties, helping to relieve symptoms and helping to promote a sense of well being. Discover other benefits of chamomile tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon fresh or dried mint leaves;
- 1 teaspoon crushed licorice root;
- ½ teaspoon of chamomile flowers.
Preparation method:
Gather all the plants in a cup of tea and add 150 ml of boiling water. Cover, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and strain. This tea can be taken 3 to 4 times a day.
3. Mint tea for colic or gas
Spearmint tea can be used to help relieve menstrual cramps and intestinal gas.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of dried mint leaves, or 2 to 3 fresh mint leaves;
- 150 ml of boiling water.
Preparation method:
Place the mint leaves in a cup of tea with boiling water. Let the infusion stand for 5 to 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be consumed 3 to 4 times a day and preferably after meals.
4. Mint tea to improve digestion
Spearmint tea, when combined with dried fennel seeds, or fennel and lemon balm leaves, has digestive and calming properties, promoting a feeling of well-being and improving digestion. See other properties of lemon balm.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves;
- 2 teaspoons of fennel or fennel seeds;
- 2 teaspoons of lemon balm leaf.
Preparation method:
Place 1 tablespoon of the herbal mixture in a teacup and fill with 150 ml of boiling water. Let the infusion stand for 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be drunk while still hot, 2 to 3 times a day, between meals.
5. Peppermint tea and honey for colds
This tea is very good to help treat colds, because mint helps relieve pain. Honey has antimicrobial properties, helping to fight respiratory infections and reducing throat irritation.
Ingredients:
- 6 chopped mint leaves;
- 1 col. of honey dessert;
- 150 ml of boiling water.
Preparation method:
In a cup, add the boiling water over the chopped and crushed mint leaves, cover and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain, sweeten with honey and drink 3 to 4 cups a day.
6. Peppermint Tea with Passionflower for Anxiety
Mint tea with passionflower helps to relax the central nervous system, promoting tranquility, good mood and general well-being.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves;
- 2 tablespoons of dried passion flower leaves;
- 150 ml of boiling water.
Preparation method:
Add 1 tablespoon of the herb mixture to the mint in a cup and add the boiling water. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. This tea should preferably be drunk at night.
When not indicated
Spearmint tea is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This tea is also not suitable for children under 5 years of age.
This tea is contraindicated for people with reflux, hiatus hernia, kidney stone, gallbladder stone and gallbladder inflammation.
