Peppermint herb is quite popular and has been used globally since time immemorial. It is the hybrid offspring of spearmint and water mint. It is native to Asian and European nations and in recent years, it is being grown extensively all over the globe! It is used to manufacture candies, breath mints, ice cream, shampoos, skin care products, chewing gum, and toothpaste. It is also used as a flavoring agent in baked items as well. (Reference: Peppermint, Wikipedia, retrieved on 1 January 2024) It is also used to prepare tea and the best part, peppermint tea comes with lots of health benefits. This post will shed light on the history of the tea, its benefits, and more. Let’s begin, shall we!?
What is Peppermint Tea?
Peppermint tea or better known simply as ‘mint tea’ is a herbal concoction prepared by adding mint leaves into a pot of boiling water. There are several other recipes to prepare mint tea – we will get to that later!(Reference - Korean mint tea, Wikipedia, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
What is the history of Peppermint Tea?
Peppermint tea didn’t have any humble origins! It was invented and perfected by the Egyptians, way back in 1,000 BC! Proof!? Well, there are several findings where archaeologists got their hands on dried peppermint leaves in Egyptian pyramids! Green mint tea also found extensive applications and immense popularity among civilizations all over the globe. Londoners got their hands on the herb only after it was cultivated for the first time in the year 1750! By this time, mint tea was gaining a lot of traction all over the globe. For instance, fresh mint tea, in Morocco, is known locally known as Maghrebi. The drink is popular in the nation. It has been adding its freshness to parties and events in the nation for years now! The true origin of the drink in the nation is a story that is filled with a lot of confusion. However, the most accepted version is that a British merchant introduced the herb and the recipe for the drink in the 19th century! (Reference: Mint Tea In Morocco, G Adventures, retrieved on 1 January 2024) Furthermore, peppermint tea is also popular in European nations and for the right reasons. It is considered as an elixir that is often prescribed to individuals with digestive issues.
What are the benefits of Peppermint Tea?
- It is a boon for people who suffer from bloating. This is the reason why peppermint tea for gas is often the recommended home remedy for most Americans! (Reference: 20 Peppermint Tea Health Benefits: Tis the Season for Better Sleep!, Simple Loose Leaf, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
- Peppermint tea can alleviate your mood – a claim that is backed by a study conducted with over 180 volunteers. It also increases your energy although it is a non-caffeinated drink!
- It also offers relief to women who suffer from menstrual cramps and side effects of periods like nausea and diarrhea!
- Several studies also back the claim that drinking peppermint tea regularly can help an individual to boost their long term and short term memory.
- By nature, peppermint is a muscle relaxant. This is the reason why, people who drink peppermint tea before bedtime, often have a good night’s sleep! The reason is simple – peppermint reduces the level of cortisol – the stress hormone in an individual’s body. This leaves the person feeling relaxed as their mind calms down.
- Peppermint tea is also a great solution, especially in these trying times to boost your immunity! Yes, you read that right! Fresh mint tea boosts your immune system thus keeping you from contracting illnesses like the common cold!
What does Peppermint Tea taste like?
Peppermint tea is packed with menthol. This is the reason why it tastes mildly sweet. Furthermore, it feels cool at the back of your tongue when you take a sip. In the end, it is a very mild and refreshing drink! (Reference: 5 Easy Steps to Make Peppermint Tea Properly, Oh How Civilized, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
What are the side effects of Peppermint Tea?
Peppermint tea is safe when consumed in limited amounts by people of all ages. With that stated, if a person often suffers from heartburn then mint tea could trigger this condition! (Reference: Health benefits of peppermint tea, Medical News Today, retrieved on 1 January 2024) Furthermore, people diagnosed with GERD should refrain from drinking peppermint tea altogether!
What are the different types of Peppermint Tea recipes?
There are several recipes to prepare peppermint tea. Here are some of the most popular recipes –
Ginger, Peppermint & Green Full Detox Tea, timesofindia.indiatimes, Google Image Licensed under CC BY 2.0
1 - Peppermint green tea – made using peppermint and green tea bags!
Ingredients
- Around two cups of water.
- 2 bags of green and 2 bags of mint tea.
- A big piece of ginger.
- One tablespoonful of organic lemon juice.
- Two tablespoonfuls of organic apple cider vinegar.
- Three tablespoonfuls of raw honey.(Reference: Ginger, Peppermint & Green Full Body Detox Tea, Youtube, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Method
- Cut the ginger into small pieces.
- Boil the water and add ginger pieces in the pot.
- Turn off the heat and put the water with ginger pieces in a mug
- Add organic green tea leaves and mint leaves into the mug. (You can also use peppermint tea bags and green tea bags, sold in leading convenience stores).
- Allow the mixture to sit for about 20 minutes or more, depending on your preference.
- Now you can add raw honey, organic lemon juice, and organic apple cider vinegar.
- Stir well, strain the mixture into a teacup and enjoy!
Peppermint Tea Leaf, IndiaMART, Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0
2 - Peppermint and ginger tea
Ingredients
- A handful of mint leaves – make sure that they are fresh else the cup of tea won’t taste the best!
- Around 2 teacups of water should be enough to serve one adult.
- A piece of fresh-cut ginger - half an inch should be enough!
- Four slices of lemon.
- A stick of cinnamon – to add a bit of spice in the mix!
- Natural sweetener – honey or a small piece of jaggery. Avoid using refined sugar or sugar cubes at all costs! (Reference: How to Make Peppermint Tea 5 Different Ways, Cup & Leaf, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Method
- Take a pot and fill it with water.
- Add the lemon and ginger pieces. Leave one slice out – you will be using this slice to garnish the rim of the glass!
- Turn on the heat and let the mixture boil.
- Bring the heat down and then add the mint leaves.
- Let the mixture simmer for about ten minutes.
- You can now add the sweetener.
- Pour the tea into your glass through a fine-mesh strainer. Garnish the rim of your glass with that left out slice of lemon, that cinnamon stick, and a mint leaf. Enjoy!
3 - Lemon peppermint iced tea
Ingredients
- One lemon
- Around 8 fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes – duh!
- A teaspoon of tea leaves
- Around three teaspoonfuls sugar – you can also use honey to ensure the drink remains healthy! (Reference: Lemon Mint | Iced Tea | Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana, Youtube, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Method
- Heat water in a pan or pot. Two and a half cups should be enough to serve an adult. Add more if you are planning to serve your loved ones as well!
- Cut the lemon into half and then slice one half of the lemon into roundels.
- In a tall glass, place the mint leaves and the lemon roundels.
- Squeeze the second, untouched halve of the lemon in the pan.
- You can garnish the rim of the glass with some mint leaves and a lemon slice if you like!
- Add the tea leaves and mint leaves in the pan and let the mixture boil for about two minutes.
- Strain the mixture and let it cool for about half an hour, at room temperature.
- Fill the previously prepared glass with the cooled tea mixture and also fill it up with ice cubes, be sure to pour the tea mixture into the cup through a strainer!
- Be sure to sip it while it is still chilled!
What is the recipe for a cup of simple Peppermint Tea?
It is pretty easy to prepare the classic, overtly simple peppermint tea(Reference: Refreshing Mint Tea, The Spruce Eats, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Ingredients
- Two cups of water.
- Around 15 to 20 mint leaves.
- Honey – it is optional to add a sweetener in mint tea but be sure to avoid refined sugar or sugar cubes!
- Lemon slices – again optional as you will be using lemon slices for garnishing purposes only!
- Ice cubes – optional, if you are planning to drink the tea ice-cold!
Method
- Boil the water in a pot.
- Remove from heat before adding the fresh peppermint leaves.
- Let the mixture steep for about five minutes. You can also let it steep for about ten minutes if you want a cup of strong mint tea!
- You can add honey – this is purely optional!
- Stir the mixture, pour the same in a cup through a strainer and enjoy!
How much Peppermint Tea should you drink?
Well, there isn’t any strict dosage established for a cup of herbal peppermint tea but overdrinking it is indeed a bad thing! This is the reason why one should stick to not more than 2 cups per day.(Reference - 5 Remarkable Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea, Taste of Home, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Can you drink Peppermint Tea every day?
Yes, you can drink peppermint tea regularly given you are limiting yourself to just a single cup or two cups per day! It is caffeine-free, which is why you won’t develop a habit of it but if you drink it in large quantities, you are bound to suffer from a few mild side effects though! (Reference 12 Science-Backed Benefits of Peppermint Tea and Extracts, Healthline, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Does Peppermint Tea reduce belly fat?
Peppermint tea soothes and calms one’s mind thus relieving the same from stress. It is a known fact that excessive stress leads to a situation where the person eats uncontrollably (a phenomenon called stress eating!). Reduced stress means better metabolism thus ensuring that one’s weight loss efforts are delivering positive results. Fresh mint tea is also known for its soothing, fresh yet strong aroma that suppresses one’s hunger pangs, which is great news for someone who is struggling to lose weight. (Reference - How to lose belly fat naturally: 5 herbal teas for detox and weight loss, Times Now News, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Frequently Ask Question
Q. Can pregnant women drink peppermint tea? As per the professionals working at the American Pregnancy Association, it is safe from pregnant mothers to consume peppermint tea, given they are consuming the drink in limited amounts.(Reference - 20 Peppermint Tea Health Benefits: Tis the Season for Better Sleep!, Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Q. Does peppermint contain caffeine even in trace amounts? No, peppermint tea does not contain caffeine unless you are adding coffee powder or Darjeeling tea leaves into your cup!(Reference - 20 Peppermint Tea Health Benefits: Tis the Season for Better Sleep!, Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Q. Is it true that peppermint tea can relieve headaches instantly!? Yes, peppermint tea can offer respite to you if you are suffering from headaches. As per the findings from several studies, the effects kick in within minutes but not instantly!(Reference 20 Peppermint Tea Health Benefits: Tis the Season for Better Sleep!, Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Here at Teacurry.com, we come up with posts that portray all the interesting facts about tea made from various herbs and ways to make them. The health benefits mentioned in the above section, although backed by resources procured from renowned sites, should be taken lightly. For the best results, it is best to get in touch with your doctor or nutritionist, if you want to know more! On that note, feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions, and experiences related to peppermint tea in the comments section below.
