It’s safe to say that a mug of peppermint tea will warm you up on cold afternoons. But did you know that peppermint has all sorts of health benefits, too? The research findings astonished us! Here’s a quick look at how peppermint tea and related products like peppermint essential oil can help you stay healthy.
What is Peppermint?
It’s a hybrid mint that’s a cross between watermint and spearmint. Learn more about cooking with mint. You can buy peppermint tea, peppermint essential oil and fresh peppermint at most grocery stores. It’s not hard to grow fresh peppermint in your herb garden or planter, either. (But watch out—it spreads!)
What Are the Benefits of Peppermint Tea?
Here’s what research about peppermint from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed:
- It has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Peppermint has shown to have significant antiviral and antibiotic properties, helping to support your body’s immune system. This is why peppermint tea can be a great addition to treating things like the common cold.
- It helps out with mental clarity. Peppermint has been found to aid in performance for complex tasks and help ease mental fatigue. That makes a cup of tea a great choice for an afternoon pick-me-up!
- A cup of tea can eases tummy troubles. Due to the relaxing effects peppermint has on the gut, its tea makes a great remedy for nausea and abdominal pain.
- It contains antioxidant power. Chock full of phytochemicals like vitamins and minerals, peppermint has strong antioxidant properties that help strengthen your body’s immune system.
- It helps relieve headaches. Menthol, an active ingredient in peppermint, has been shown to be a safe and effective remedy for headaches and migraines. In addition to peppermint tea, try applying peppermint essential oil to your temples and forehead for relief.
How Many Cups of Peppermint Tea Should You Drink a Day?
There isn’t an established amount of peppermint tea that’s recommended for daily consumption; however, drinking 1-2 cups for general well-being is a good place to start. We’d recommend a cup to fight the 3 p.m. slump!
Spiced Peppermint Tea
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 whole allspice
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- Honey, optional
Directions
- Place the water, cinnamon, cloves and allspice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Stir in mint leaves. Remove from the heat; cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain tea. Serve with honey if desired.
Do More With Mint
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Mojito Slush
Whether you're splashing poolside or watching the kids inside, this slushy beverage has just the right balance of minty crispness and limey tartness that's sure to tingle your taste buds. —Jessica Ring, Chicago, Illinois
Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario
Minty Sugar Snap Peas
Fresh mint adds a lively touch to cooked sugar snap peas. It's also nice on green beans or carrots. —Alice Kaldahl, Ray, North Dakota
Cantaloupe Ice Pops
Your reminders to "eat your fruit" will finally stick, once kids take a lick of these mmm-melony snacks. A perfect use for overripe cantaloupe, these pops make a light dessert or healthy between-meal refresher. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Cilantro & Lemon Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Cook the onions first so there’s plenty of room on the grill for the chicken skewers. Give the whole platter a spritz of lemon for a sunshiny delight. —Moumita Ghosh, Kolkata, West Bengal
Touch-of-Mint Iced Tea
My family loves the mild mint and lemon flavors in this iced tea. It's a wonderful alternative to soft drinks.—Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
Couscous Tabbouleh with Fresh Mint & Feta
Using couscous instead of bulgur for tabbouleh really speeds up the process of making this colorful salad. Other quick-cooking grains such as barley or quinoa work well too. —Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts
Hearty Chicken Gyros
I love reinventing classic recipes to fit our taste and healthy living lifestyle. This recipe is quick to prepare and can be served with oven fries or on its own. You can add Greek olives, omit the onion, or even use cubed pork tenderloin for a new taste. —Kayla Douthitt, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Mint Julep
It wouldn't be Kentucky Derby Day without this mint julep recipe! But, really, this Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe is good anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Summer Orzo
I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish
We all need a quick meal that's deliciously healthy. I marinate the chicken before I leave to work, and when I get home, I grill the chicken and make the relish. My husband loves the spicy flavor. To amp up the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
Minted Beet Salad
We have neighbors who share vegetables from their garden, and every year my husband and I look forward to their beets. My interest in Mediterranean food inspired this beet salad recipe—the vinegar and oil dressing with fresh mint tones down the sweetness of the beets and the kalamata olives add a salty touch. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Couscous Salad with Olives & Raisins
There's plenty to like in this recipe, and you'll want to pair it with your next special meal.—Mya Zeronia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lemon Mint Curd
I like to "dress up" ordinary recipes with my fresh, homegrown herbs. This minty lemon curd is a family favorite! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Cranberry-Lime Semifreddo with Pound Cake
Everyone has a favorite way to serve pound cake, but no one will expect this! It's my go-to trick for using up leftover cranberry sauce. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Mint Watermelon Salad
I invented this refreshing fruit salad one sultry afternoon while my friends were gathered around my pool. It was quick and easy to prepare and disappeared from their plates even quicker. Even the kids loved it! —Antoinette DuBeck, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
In our new cookbook “The Kitchen Decoded,” we include tabbouleh salad because it's super simple and filling. Try red quinoa for a slightly earthier flavor. —Logan Levant, Los Angeles, California
Grilled Pork with Pear Salsa
My husband, Dave, and I have been in a dinner group with three other couples for a few years. We often share our recipes. This grilled pork was served by one of the couples, and I decided to "pear" it with this fabulous salsa. —Suzan Ward, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Brown Sugar Salmon with Strawberries
I first tasted strawberries and cucumber together when living in the UK; now they make a delicious relish for salmon. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia
Grilled Fruit Phyllo Tart
This tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loves the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina
Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl
You can also transform this tasty bowl into an Italian version with mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, spinach and basil. —Renata Smith, Brookline, Massachusetts
Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Orange Relish
I like how grilled pork and fruit bring out the best in each other. If you have leftover relish, break out the tortilla chips! —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Curried Beef Pitas with Cucumber Sauce
A good friend gave me this recipe when I first got married. I was a bit apprehensive to try it since the ingredients weren't that familiar to me, but, years later, it's now one of our family favorites. —Shannon Koene, Blacksburg, Virginia
Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches
I jazzed up the quintessential tea-time cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant and it hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana
Spring Chicken and Pea Salad
My endive, radicchio and chicken salad with a dash of mint jelly dressing makes a wonderful meal for a luncheon or light dinner. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Moroccan Stuffed Mushrooms
Coriander and cumin are zesty updates to the familiar stuffed mushrooms. The addition of couscous makes them very filling and delicious. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Strawberry Mint Chicken
I hand-pick wild strawberries for this saucy chicken dish. We love it with fresh spring greens and a sweet white wine. —Alicia Duerst, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Pear Chutney
The perfect balance of tart and sweet to top a tenderloin—this autumn dinner is a family-favorite. Keep this chutney recipe on hand for turkey dinners, too. —Amanda Reed, Nashville, Tennessee
Whole Wheat Orzo Salad
In less than 30 minutes, I can put together this hearty salad of pasta, white beans and veggies – and it’s good for a crowd. — Mya Zeronis, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mojito Marinated Fruit
All the flavors of the popular mojito cocktail are featured in this fantastic salad. After you eat the fruit, you’ll want to sip the luscious syrup! —Marcy Griffith, Excelsior, Minnesota
Mediterranean Layered Dip
This quick and easy dip begins with purchased hummus. It's then flavored with the Mediterranean flavors of feta cheese, olives and lemon. —Patterson Watkins, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mimi's Lentil Medley
I made this one summer evening by putting together what I had on hand. My husband gave it his top rating. —Mary Ann Hazen, Rochester Hills, Michigan
Stuffed Grilled Zucchini
Pair up these zucchini boats with charred pork chops, smoked fish and other grilled greats. Not warm enough for cooking al fresco? Your old-fashioned oven will do. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Grilled Greek Fish
Living in Tampa, we eat a lot of fresh fish, mostly grouper, mahi-mahi and tilapia—all sweet white fish that work well with this marinade. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
I always like to bring this to parties and potlucks, and people seem to really appreciate having a healthy option. No oil is necessary for this salad; the lemon juice combines with the feta to lightly coat the bright, fresh ingredients. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta
Any recipe that is special enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight meal is a favorite in my book. All you need to finish off the meal is a side salad and crusty French bread to sop up the delicious tomato and wine juices. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Grilled Steaks with Cilantro Sauce
Fresh herbs made into a sauce help make these steaks the main star of our favorite summer grilling menu. —Lynne Keast, Monte Sereno, California
Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops
Pork and fruit go so nicely together and when you add fresh herbs, you get this fresh, light and bright main dish that everyone loves. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Casablanca Chutney Chicken
If you enjoy Indian food, you'll love this dish. An array of spices and dried fruit slow cook with boneless chicken thighs for an aromatic and satisfying meal. To make it complete, serve over Jasmine or Basmati rice. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Lime Mint Jelly
This holly-green jelly won a Best of Show at the county fair and I was so thrilled. Flavored with lime, it's delicious on roasted meats. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Lemon Herb Quinoa
My family is turning to quinoa more and more these days. It's a super grain that's packed with protein and vitamins. Plus, it can be paired with any kind of main course. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Delicate Mint Thins
Newly married, I needed something fancy to impress my relatives at a reunion and came up with these cookies. I got many compliments on their subtle flavor.—Kristine McDaniel, Kettering, Ohio
Spicy Beef Salad
This recipe was inspired by my love of spicy flavors and light, nutritious entrees. The pretty salad has an appealing variety of textures. I make it year-round because it's fast and easy to prepare after a long day at work. —Peggy Allen, Pasadena, California
Thai Veggie Dip
This delicious dip is full of flavor, color and crunch, but not full of calories. There's mild sweetness from the honey with a bit of heat at the end from the pepper flakes. If spicy food is your thing, feel free to add an extra dash of pepper. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Dad's Best Pork Chops
My son, Kenneth, has loved pork chops since he was little, and he requests them often. He particularly likes this recipe because we pick the mint from the garden. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Spiced Mint Tea
This delightful recipe makes teatime special. Dress up this homemade fresh mint tea with spices and a bit of honey if you like. —Ione Banks, Jefferson, Oregon
Watermelon Cups
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pea Soup Shooters
Appetizers really don’t get any easier than this. These shooters can be made ahead, they’re colorful, and they won’t weigh you down. Top with a small dollop of yogurt for a little more tang. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California
Honey-Lime Berry Salad
I picked up this dish a couple of years ago, and really like the mint and fruit combo. Cilantro is one of my summer favorites so sometimes I use it instead. Turns out, this recipe's really two in one! —Kayla Spence, Wilber, Nebraska
Moroccan Pot Roast
My husband loves his meat and I love my veggies, so we're both happy with this spiced twist on the beefy pot roast. With chickpeas, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakech bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York
Minted Butter
I prefer to serve this mint butter with scones, but it goes well with other breads, too. When I make the butter, it's only with mint fresh from our garden.—Sherry Smeltzer, Osage Beach, Missouri
Zesty Herbed Lamb Chops
I often serve this sauce with seared scallops or grilled salmon or halibut. It's really good either way. I also modify the recipe when there are fresh herbs in season. I've made a version with basil instead of mint, and I sometimes swap thyme for oregano for a more subtle flavor. —Cora Anderson, Seattle, Washington
Halibut Steaks with Papaya Mint Salsa
An amazing mix of fresh, zesty salsa and good, smoky flavor—plus 161mg of magnesium—makes this dish the catch of the day! —Sonya Labbe, Los Angeles
Citrusy Fruit Kabobs
Fresh, fruity—and lower in sodium and fat—this kabob recipe is a great pick! —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
I grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Minted Sugar Snap Pea Salad
Spring fever will hit instantly when you sample this lovely salad. A chopped shallot, mustard and honey complement the minty peas, and goat cheese ties the salad together.—Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
Layered Mediterranean Dip with Pita Chips
Not your ordinary layer dip, the bold combination of hummus and Greek yogurt will be a new most-requested recipe at your next baby shower or gathering. —Elizabeth Dumont, Boulder, Colorado
Lemon Mint Spritzer
Cool down with this refreshing drink. It's wonderful after a long day or during a backyard barbecue. —Laura Nix, Ellijay, Georgia
Raspberry Mint Jam
I have so much mint growing in my yard that I add it to almost everything. What a revelation it was when it went in my raspberry jam—the mint really wakes up the raspberry flavor.—Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette
On long summer days when we just want to relax, I make a cool salad with avocado, berries and mint. The tangerine dressing is refreshingly different. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Grilled Pork Noodle Salad
The only complex thing about this easy salad is the flavor! With smoky barbecued pork and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables, this is a comforting and tasty home-cooked meal. —Rosalyn Nguyen, Astoria, New York
Rustic Tuscan Pepper Bruschetta
If you love sweet red, yellow and orange peppers, pair them with fresh mint for a cold kitchen appetizer. Marinate for up to one hour before assembling. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Maple Blackberry Mojito
This refreshing cocktail is how you take advantage of prime berry season during the summer months. I've also used other types of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi and strawberries. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine