The natural flavour of peppermint (or ‘mentha piperita’ in its Latin form) is a combination of spearmint and watermint, and is one of Earth’s oldest herbs, with its dried leaves having been found as far afield as the Egyptian pyramids. You can make your own peppermint tea with fresh mint leaves and pure water, it contains almost no calories and is naturally caffeine free – what more could you want? Read on for our Top 5 Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea!
1. Helps reduce stress and anxiety
It’s often said that drinking peppermint tea can reduce the effects of stress and anxiety that you may feel, as well as alleviating stress-related headaches.
2. Soothes upset stomach
Drinking peppermint tea helps with nausea and vomiting, and is often the go-to for many in cases of anything from hangovers to travel sickness! Likewise, it also assists your digestion.
3. Increases mental alertness
Regularly drinking peppermint tea can increase your mental alertness and wakefulness, and is worth substituting over your caffeine-rich coffee when you need a boost!
4. Treats menstrual cramps
Many women often drink peppermint tea to help ease the pain of their menstrual cramps, promoting blood flow to the pelvis, and thus relaxing those muscles.
5. Weight loss
Peppermint tea can help you control your appetite, and at just under 4 calories a cup, speeds up your digestion encouraging the burning of more calories than other teas.
Made correctly, peppermint tea should produce a beautiful warm green colour, and depending on how long you decide to keep the tea leaves in – can vary from a distinct, but gentle mint to an intense and thoroughly invigorating tingling sensation that literally dances around your entire oral cavity! Big fan of peppermint tea, what does it do for you mentally and physically? Tell us in the comments below, join in the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter & Instagram. (Keen to discover more teas? Whet your appetite with these other delicious tea articles and here are more Top 5’s to activate YOUR Fit your way!)
