13 Mint Tea Benefits to Make You Feel Better and Refreshed

fresh mint leaves on wooden table with caption home remedies

It is almost impossible not to feel refreshed and renewed whenever you get a smell or taste of mint. Let’s face it, mint just makes you feel better, but that isn’t all this powerful little leaf can do. We’re going to examine 13 mint tea benefits to make you feel better, but before we do, let’s look at the nutritional profile of mint.

Mint comes from the leaf of a perennial, flowering herb found on nearly every continent in the world. It has a strong aroma and flavor, which is quickly recognized by everyone. There are between 13 and 18 species of mint identified and each has a little bit different aroma and flavor, like peppermint and spearmint, for instance.

Mint tea can be made from dried or fresh mint leaves, but the more powerful punch comes from the fresh leaves, which are typically easy to obtain in a supermarket or easy to cultivate at home. There are plenty of mint tea benefits to be had due to its unique nutritional profile. The highlights of this leaf’s nutrients are:

  • Vitamins: A, C, and folate.
  • Minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
  • Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
  • Carotenoid and beta-carotene.

Though these nutrients make mint more valuable, its antibacterial and antioxidant compounds are what make it such a much sought after super food. We’ll take a closer look at the different ways mint tea can make you feel better, but we need to take a look at some precautions when using mint.

Precautions for Using Mint Tea

It seems impossible that mint tea could have any sort of harmful side effects. Like with most foods, mint tea in moderation is safe for consumption, but there are some exceptions to be considered. Though mint is known to help soothe the stomach and relief digestive discomfort, if your symptoms are related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), mint might actually exacerbate your condition.

Mint is also not recommended for people who have had or are prone to gallstones. Studies also indicate that more than a three cups of mint tea on a daily basis can have the effect of reducing male testosterone from 23 to 50%.

Mint and other herbs can cause adverse reactions with certain medications, so if you are considering mint tea as a treatment, you should consult a health care professional concerning how it will affect prescription medications.

13 Mint Tea Benefits for a Refreshing Relief

Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Leading the way for mint tea benefits is its ability to treat prostate cancer and improve prostate health.

What to do:

  • Put 4 to 6 fresh mint leaves in a teapot and add 1 cup boiling water.
  • Swirl the pot gently warming the pot and rinsing the leaves.
  • Strain and discard the water, leaving the tea leaves in the pot.
  • Add 4 cups boiling water to tea.
  • Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
  • Drink 2 or 3 cups a day.

How it works:

Studies show that the menthol found in mint tea can inhibit prostate cancer cell growth.

Mint leaves in garden

Treatment for Asthma

Treatment for asthma is another one of the awesome mint tea benefits to consider.

What to do:

  • Boil fresh or dried mint leaves in an open pot and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the pot from the stove.
  • Cover your head with a tea towel and lean over the steaming pot.
  • Inhale the mint steam a couple of times a day.
  • Don’t let the tea go to waste, go ahead and drink it.

How it works:

Mint contains rosmarinic acid and menthol. Both these substances reduce the inflammation associated with asthma.

IBS Relief

Another the many benefits of mint tea comes in the form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) relief.

What to do:

  • Give this version of mint tea preparation a try.
  • Drink two or three cups a day whenever IBS flares up.

How it works:

Besides having a cooling effect on the digestive system, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of mint help bring relief to bowel issues.

Treatment for Chemo-Induced Nausea

Though we hope you never have to use this remedy, the treatment of chemo-induced nausea is yet another of the many mint tea benefits.

What to do:

  • No matter which preparation version you use, add a little extra mint and add an addition 3 to 5 minutes to the steeping time to make a stronger tea.
  • The extra strength of the tea will have a greater effect on your nausea.

How it works:

The soothing relief of menthol and the natural oils found in mint help to bring relief to nausea.

Treatment of Dyspepsia

Another top performer on our list of mint tea benefits is the treatment of dyspepsia or indigestion.

What to do:

  • Pour 8 oz. of boiling water over 1 tsp of dried mint, ¼ tsp of fennel seeds and a dash of powdered ginger.
  • Allow the tea to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Drink as necessary to relieve your symptoms or as an after-dinner drink to improve digestion.

How it works:

The menthol in mint, especially when mixed with fennel seeds and ginger can bring almost instant, soothing relief to indigestion.

Immunity Boosting

Another addition to our list of mint tea benefits is immunity boosting.

What to do:

  • Add 10 sprigs of fresh mint to 8 to 10 cups of cold water.
  • Add the juice of one lemon and several cucumber slices.
  • Sweeten to taste with xylitol or stevia.
  • Make this your go-to beverage when you need a boost.

How it works:

Mint is full of more antioxidants than any other herb, so it stands to reason that it would give your body a great boost of immunity.

Enhance Memory and Focus

Enhanced memory and focus are also among the prized mint tea benefits.

What to do:

  • Make use of the simple mint tea recipe to give your brain a boost in the morning or as a pick me up in the afternoon.

How it works:

Mint’s minerals and antioxidants can help power your brain on a cellular level, but just inhaling the aroma of mint tea tends to cause mental stimulation and alertness.

mint tea bunch on table

Treatment for Bad Breath

Among the most obvious of mint tea benefits is its treatment for bad breath.

What to do:

  • Brew mint tea using any of the above methods.
  • Allow the tea to cool enough to be able to hold it comfortably in your mouth.
  • Place about 1 Tbsp. of tea in your mouth at a time.
  • Swish the tea around and pull it through your teeth for a minute or so before spitting it out.
  • Repeat 2 or 3 times and then drink the remainder of the tea.

How it works:

There are antibacterial properties in mint which help to kill the germs that cause bad breath and cavities.

Reduces Stress

This item on our list of mint tea benefits sort of states the obvious; mint reduces stress.

What to do: instead of going for caffeine, why not try this mint tea latte?

How it works:

The menthol in mint cools, refreshes and de-stresses in a way that the aroma and flavor of no other substance can do.

Infant Colic Treatment

You can also sleep better and so will your baby when you take advantage of another of our favorite mint tea benefits.

What to do:

  • Brew 2 tsp of tea in 1 quart of boiling water.
  • When making formula, replace 2/3 of the water with the premade tea and then add the remaining 1/3 water to complete the mix.

How it works:

The same soothing and antispasmodic properties that soothe dyspepsia, IBS, and indigestion in adults can help relieve colic in babies.

Treatment of Nipple Issues in Breast Feeding

Another on our list of Mint tea benefits is the treatment of nipple issues in breastfeeding.

What to do:

  • Brew peppermint tea and allow it to cool to the touch.
  • Apply the brew to cracked, chapped and sore nipples.
  • Use this regularly to prevent cracking and chapping.

How it works:

The antioxidants and antibacterial agents in mint help to reduce inflammation and promote soothing relief.

Relief for Insect Bites

Besides drinking it, there are other mint tea benefits, like relief for insect bites, which you might not expect.

What to do:

  • Brew mint tea using any of the above methods and allow it to cool.
  • Apply to insect bites with a cotton swab.
  • There are some indications that mint tea applied to the skin can act as an insect repellant.

How it works:

The antiseptic and antibacterial properties found in mint can relief the sting and itch of insect bites and stings.

Hay Fever Relief

The final, but in no way the least powerful motivation to make use of the many mint tea benefits is its ability to bring relief to hay fever.

What to do:

  • Brew hot mint tea.
  • Inhale the steam as you slowly sip the tea.
  • Repeat several times a day throughout the hay fever season.

How it works:

Compounds in mint help to inhibit histamine release, which in turn helps to alleviate hay fever symptoms.

fresh mint twig

Conclusion

It is nearly impossible not to feel some immediate, soothing effects from a steaming cup of mint tea. The 13 mint tea benefits we’ve listed above will make you feel better in any number of different ways. Consider trying one or several of the above remedies to improve your health in one of the most powerful and natural ways known and then tell us about how mint tea has helped you. Don’t forget to include your favorite mint tea benefits and recipes in the comments below.

Images from depositphotos.com and pixabay.com.