5 Remarkable Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea
Updated: Nov. 30, 2023
Find out what health benefits peppermint tea has—and how often you should be drinking it!
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! Before you move ahead, make sure you know the difference between spearmint and peppermint.
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
Cantaloupe Ice PopsYour 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 KabobsCook the onions first so there’s plenty of room on the grill for the chicken skewers. Before serving, give the whole platter a spritz of lemon for a sunshiny delight. —Moumita Ghosh, Kolkata, West Bengal
Touch-of-Mint Iced TeaMy family loves the mild mint and lemon flavors in this iced tea. It's a wonderful alternative to soft drinks.—Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
Mint JulepIt 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
Minted Beet SaladWe 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, Appleton, Wisconsin
Lemon Mint CurdI like to "dress up" ordinary recipes with my fresh, homegrown herbs. This minty lemon curd is a family favorite! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Grilled Pork with Pear SalsaMy 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
Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Orange RelishI 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
Mint-Cucumber Tomato SandwichesI jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana
Moroccan Stuffed MushroomsCoriander and cumin are zesty updates to the familiar stuffed mushrooms. The addition of couscous makes them very filling and delicious. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Mojito Marinated FruitAll 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 DipThis 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 MedleyI 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
Shrimp with Tomatoes & FetaAny 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
Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork ChopsPork 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
Lime Mint JellyThis 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 QuinoaMy 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 ThinsNewly 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
Thai Veggie DipThis 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
Minted ButterI 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
Halibut Steaks with Papaya Mint SalsaAn 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 KabobsFresh, fruity—and lower in sodium and fat—this kabob recipe is a great pick! —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Raspberry Mint JamI 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
Originally Published: November 29, 2018
