Tea with mint: benefits and harm to the body

Among all medicinal plants, mint rightfully occupies an honorable place. Hundreds of years ago, people learned about the healing powers of this plant, and to this day, mint enjoys unprecedented popularity. Tea is used to treat and prevent many diseases, it is loved all over the world for its unusual aroma and fresh taste.

Composition and calorie content

The composition of ordinary mint tea, consisting of water and leaves of the plant, contains only 1 kcal, unlike drinks, which add lemon and sugar. In sweet tea, calorie content is an order of magnitude higher - from 7.4 to 30 per 100 ml, it depends on the amount of sugar in the composition. The nutritional value of tea is expressed in carbohydrates, which are 1.7 g per 100 ml of the finished product.

Mint tea is truly unique due to its extensive chemical composition, represented by a whole list of useful acids and trace elements:

• ascorbic acid;
• menthol;
• thiamine;
• volatile substances;
• saturated fatty acids.

What is useful mint tea

General benefit

Peppermint tea can be an excellent helper in the fight against many ailments. The main thing is to know the measure and not to forget about contraindications. All the beneficial substances contained in this healing plant make mint a real queen among medicinal herbs. Fragrant, tasty tea is a storehouse of nutrients that can affect almost all systems of the human body:

1. Tea has a pronounced sedative effect. He is able to gently relax the body and give a feeling of peace after a hard day.
2. The invaluable help of tea in the treatment and prevention of colds. Freshly brewed tea can not only lower the temperature, but also improve the general condition of a sick person.
3. In combination with medicines, tea from a medicinal plant will help to eliminate the expressed symptoms of acute respiratory diseases. It can improve sputum discharge from the lungs and relieve a runny nose. It is recommended to drink tea for preventive purposes to strengthen immunity.
4. Fragrant tea is considered an excellent assistant in relieving headaches in women. In addition, he is able to regulate the menstrual cycle.
5. Normalization of blood pressure is also a merit of peppermint tea. In addition, it normalizes blood circulation, alleviates the condition of heart diseases and helps with painful cramps during migraine attacks.
6. Good news for those who are struggling with overweight: a fragrant drink can speed up the metabolism and can be a great addition to the diet.
7. Tea has a pronounced antibacterial effect not only when taken orally, but also as a compress. Freshly brew helps relieve skin inflammation and soothe itching.
8. For stomach pain, freshly brewed peppermint tea may also help.
9. The drink helps to reduce cramps with gastric colic, balance the gall balance, overcome excessive gas formation and discomfort in the intestines.
10. Peppermint tea can be an excellent helper in normalizing sleep, eliminating anxiety, and improving brain activity.

For women

Mint has a truly amazing effect on a woman’s body.To resort to the use of tea is recommended with fluctuations in the level of hormones and ailments in the premenstrual period. Mint has a beneficial effect on the skin by participating in cell regeneration. It is recommended to use peppermint tea to smooth the symptoms of menopause. Also, the drink will help to cope with problems associated with inflammation in the pelvic organs and increased body hair growth.

For men

Men are not advised to abuse peppermint tea. Unfortunately, it acts negatively on their body, reducing testosterone levels, thereby lowering potency and nullifying sexual desire. However, mint is not contraindicated for the male body and it is worth using for treatment during periods of illness as a weekly course, and it is also recommended to drink before bedtime with insomnia and excessive stress.

During pregnancy

There is still no clear answer whether it is possible to drink a mint drink for pregnant women. Some obstetricians and gynecologists are of the opinion that peppermint tea is able to tone the uterine muscles, prevent heartburn, eliminate dizziness and constipation, reduce swelling, and strengthen immunity. Also, pregnant women are recommended a useful warming drink as an alternative to the unwanted use of antibiotics. However, some doctors are of the opinion that mint can harm women in the situation. Among the adverse reactions are allergies, severe heartburn, especially at the end of pregnancy, and a decrease in pressure in people suffering from hypertension. Some obstetrician-gynecologists claim that an increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus, provoked by excessive consumption of peppermint tea, can even lead to a miscarriage.

Tea is useful for a woman, therefore, after the appearance of the baby, doctors recommend that you follow the recommendations and drink a mug of drink no more than 2-3 times a week. Women who have had a difficult pregnancy and childbirth with complications should consult a gynecologist.

When breastfeeding

In order not to harm lactation, nursing mothers can drink mint tea in limited quantities. Menthol, contained in peppermint, in excessive quantities threatens with a violation of lactation. Therefore, certain varieties are advised to lactating women: lemon balm (lemon mint) and garden mint. These varieties do not interfere with the production of breast milk and are able to protect a nursing mother from postpartum depression. In the first month of a child’s life, they are advised to use mint products with caution, since there is a possibility of a baby becoming colic.

For kids

The pronounced sedative effect of peppermint can adversely affect the body of young children, so doctors do not advise introducing peppermint tea into the child’s diet before reaching the age of three. However, on the shelves of shops you can see children's teas with herbs, which contain mint. Before you buy such a product, you must discuss this with your pediatrician. For children older than three years, it is advised to brew weak tea, adding only one sprig of mint to it.

When losing weight

Peppermint is famous for its ability to speed up metabolism and remove toxins from the body. That is why there are many methods by which mint in the diet of a losing weight person should accelerate his struggle with extra pounds. Particularly popular are fasting days with mint tea. Their essence is that a person can drink exclusively peppermint tea up to one and a half liters during the day. The authors of such a diet promise a loss of up to 1 kg per day due to the removal of excess fluid and normalization of digestion.

Mint tea in medicine

In each pharmacy, among the variety of herbs, you can see a whole shelf of packages with dried mint leaves for tea. Doctors recommend using peppermint tea in combination with medicines and as an alternative to many drugs.Therapists advise to make tea for colds and for prevention in the cold season, cardiologists - to use along with prescribed medications to combat angina pectoris, tachycardia, arterial hypertension. Doctors recommend drinking tea for people suffering from myalgia, neuralgia, rheumatism and radiculitis. Tea has a moderate sedative, carminative, analgesic, antiseptic effect. Doctors of many practices find it useful to include the use of mint tea in the treatment of patients.

With diabetes

Mint leaves as a tea can help people with diabetes. Menthol can lower blood glucose, but the main thing is not to overdo it, since peppermint tea may be poorly compatible with medications prescribed to the patient. People suffering from this ailment are advised to consume up to three cups of tea a day for several weeks to achieve maximum effect, and then take a short break.

With pancreatitis

Thanks to the biologically active ingredients in mint, tea can be a real salvation in the fight against pancreatitis. He is able to significantly increase the effect of taking unnatural medicines. In the chronic course of the disease, tea from a fragrant plant will help reduce exacerbations and smooth out the adverse effects of drugs. To prepare healthy tea, 10 g of dried leaves must be poured with boiling water, insisted and applied without sugar in half a glass 3 times a day.

With gastritis

Gastroenterologists advise peppermint tea for inflammatory processes in gastritis. A drink made from dry leaves can relieve pain, bloating and cramping. Fresh mint leaves in tea can activate secretory activity, neutralize nausea and relieve unpleasant sensations. The secret of healing tea is that it is an excellent antiseptic and has an effect on the gastric mucosa, while its antispasmodic properties affect the smooth muscles of the stomach. A useful broth is prepared from 50 g of fresh or 5 g of dry leaves, pouring boiling water and keeping it under the lid for a quarter of an hour.

With a cold

Possessing a whole bunch of useful microelements, mint is able to alleviate the symptoms of the common cold and accelerate recovery. Mint is used in tea both in collections with other medicinal herbs, and separately. You need to drink peppermint tea several times a day, adding lemon and honey, and the disease will soon recede.

With a hangover

After a noisy feast with alcohol the next morning you can feel a terrible malaise, but if there is mint in the medicine cabinet, you can easily overcome it. To alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, such as nausea and headache, it is advised to prepare peppermint tea from leaves collected independently or bought in a pharmacy in the form of filter bags. Such tea must be prepared according to a well-known recipe - just pour boiling water and let it brew. For greater effect, it is recommended to add honey.

In case of poisoning

Symptoms of poisoning may be somewhat similar to symptoms of a hangover, but it is important to remember that in this condition many foods are forbidden. Fortunately, peppermint tea is not one of them. Collecting with mint will help stop vomiting and relieve painful symptoms. It is advised to mix mint, oregano and St. John's wort in equal amounts and pour boiling water over the resulting mixture. Soon the discomfort caused by poisoning should recede.

With hypertension

For people suffering from hypertension, peppermint tea can become a true “green doctor." Vasodilator drugs from the pharmacy, such as Valocordin and Validol, contain menthol. It is menthol in mint that can lower high blood pressure. Blood begins to circulate better through the vessels, the vascular lumen expands, and all thanks to the fact that menthol reduces blood pressure.Peppermint tea, which contains menthol, can lower high blood pressure and relieve headache. It also normalizes heart rhythm and helps with heart diseases, concomitant hypertension, such as angina pectoris and tachycardia.

In addition, peppermint tea can normalize a rapid pulse. Those who have ruled out all possible contraindications need to make tea using dry or fresh leaves, drenched in a glass of boiling water. For the treatment and prevention of heart disease and hypertension, it is recommended to drink half a cup of tea at night.

With varicose veins

Peppermint has diuretic properties, which helps it to easily remove excess fluid from the body. This may attract the attention of those suffering from varicose veins, however, peppermint tea is not recommended for use in this disease. Peppermint tea has a vasodilating property, which can lead to increased pain and the appearance of venous nodes. Therefore, people suffering from such a disease in a serious form, before taking a drink, a specialist consultation is necessary.

For insomnia

There is still much debate about the benefits of peppermint tea for insomnia. Some argue that fragrant grass with sedative properties can beneficially affect sleep. Some doctors have a different opinion and believe that menthol may not let you fall asleep. The thing is its ability to influence the contraction of the muscular ring of the esophagus. Menthol does not allow him to close, provoking morning heartburn. Specialists advise considering other healthy teas for night use.

Harm and contraindications

No matter how tasty and healthy tea is, it has properties that can harm some categories of people. To exclude peppermint tea from their diet is necessary for people with hypersensitivity to individual components of peppermint. As it has already been found out, these include pregnant women, children, people suffering from varicose veins and low blood pressure.

With a decrease in vascular tone, mint can lead to an exacerbation of some other chronic disease. Mint tea is not recommended for people suffering from heartburn, as it can aggravate the situation.

Another serious contraindication is infertility. People who have problems conceiving are not recommended to include mint tea in their diet. With caution, it is worth drinking tea for men and people suffering from drowsiness.

How to Dry Peppermint for Tea

Essential oil containing menthol gives peppermint an unusual taste and aroma. This type of mint is most often harvested for making tea. It is usually planted in areas near a country house, on extensive plantations, and even on a window sill. To preserve the amazing aroma, gardeners are advised to approach the harvest responsibly and cut mint whole branches using a pruner.

Peppermint is harvested at the end of summer, at which time the leaves become juicy and fragrant. It is a little late, and dark spots will appear on the leaves of the plant, and the stems will become coarser. Leaves should be collected in warm, dry weather so that they remain green after drying, and on the eve they are advised to water: so the dust will be washed off them and they will have time to dry before harvesting.

It is believed that after 5 years of life, mint bushes are better to uproot, the leaves on such a plant are no longer able to give tea its famous taste and aroma. Freshly picked leaves must be immediately protected from direct sunlight, they can degrade the quality of tea. Drying plants should be approached responsibly: the leaves should be clean and dry.Only in this case, there is no chance of mold on the workpiece.

A conservative method is drying in the fresh air. Perhaps this method is the most reliable, because when using various kitchen appliances, you can inadvertently exceed the temperature and negate all the benefits.

For drying in fresh air, bundles of 10–15 mint branches are prepared. The main thing is not to pull the beam so as not to block the air access to the stems inside. Finished ligaments are hung upside down in a room with good ventilation. A balcony, porch or loggia is suitable for these needs. Billets must be ted from time to time. The leaves can be dried on a horizontal metal or wooden surface covered with dry, clean paper or cloth. The main thing is not to forget to turn over a drying plant a couple of times a week.

At a temperature of 20-30 degrees, the plant will dry for two weeks. At this time, peppermint must be protected from exposure to the sun, dust and odors. Finished leaves will crunch and crumble upon compression.

Modern housewives have long adopted various kitchen appliances that can help with the preparation of mint for tea. In an electric dryer, it is possible to cook mint in 3-4 hours, drying it on trays at a temperature of 30 degrees. In a microwave oven, it is enough to dry the leaves several times for 10 seconds, checking the readiness of the raw materials by touch. For the oven, only 40-50 minutes will be enough to get a ready-made blank for tea. The baking sheet is covered with parchment paper on which the leaves are laid out and dried at a temperature of 60 to 90 degrees. It is desirable to select leaves of the same size to ensure uniform drying.

It is recommended to store dry mint with whole leaves or chopped into powder. For storage, it is preferable to choose bags made of natural fabric, linen or cotton. However, vacuum bags, tightly closed wooden and ceramic containers are suitable. It is necessary to indicate the packing date on the packaging and put it in a dark, cool place, not forgetting to occasionally check the mint for mold. You can store mint for tea for up to 2 years, subject to all the rules.

Proper storage will provide the tea with an unusual taste and aroma.

How to freeze mint for the winter for tea

It turns out, in addition to drying, mint can be harvested in frozen form. There are several ways to do this.

1. Whole leaves. The mint bought or collected on the windowsill is kept for several minutes in cold water, and then dried on a towel. Dry clean leaves are put in a glass jar, tightly closed with a lid and sent to the freezer. In the same way, whole branches can be frozen, the main thing is not to use plastic bags for storage, in which mint can be damaged during the freezing process.
2. In ice cubes. To implement this method, you can use silicone and plastic molds for ice. The leaves and tops of the stems are washed and neatly laid out in tins, and then filled with cold boiled water. This method will not allow leaves to crumble during storage in the freezer. After freezing, cubes with mint are packed in sachets and put back into the freezer.
3. Frozen gruel from mint. This method is similar to the previous one, mint also needs to be frozen in molds. However, before this, it must be crushed in a blender bowl with the addition of water. After the pulp is sent in molds to the freezer, and after freezing, they are packed in bags.

To make warming tea in the winter, you can add a frozen twig or ice cube to the mug and enjoy a fragrant drink.

Is it possible to drink peppermint tea every day

Every day, drinking a cup of tea, you can solve problems with high blood pressure, problem skin, headache. Some studies claim that daily brewing of tea after a meal can relieve stress, help calm down and relax.

Can I drink at night

Still, they do not recommend drinking tea before bedtime, it is fraught with morning heartburn and excessive sedative effect for people prone to drowsiness. The optimal regimen for peppermint tea is a couple of times a week in the absence of contraindications.

How to brew mint tea: recipes

In order to preserve its healing properties and enhance taste, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations when brewing this unique tea. The most suitable teapot for tea is considered to be glass or ceramic. Pouring boiling water into such a teapot is not recommended immediately, it is necessary to give the water time to cool to 80 degrees. The most optimal ratio of water to mint leaves is 1: 1, that is, 1 tsp should be added to one glass of water. tea leaves and the same number of mint leaves.

Classic recipe

To prepare it, you will need 400 ml of water, 3 small sprigs of mint and 2 tsp. green tea. Ingredients fall asleep in a teapot, add boiling water and insist for 2-3 minutes. You can replace tea with any other, for example black or red, but the most organic is still considered Chinese green tea, which has a neutral taste.

With lemon

Tea has an excellent tonic effect, invigorates and improves mood. To prepare it, you need to chop fresh mint (a third of a teaspoon). Pour mint with boiling water, insist and then strain. Pour tea into a thermos, add lemon juice and drink in small portions. This is an indispensable recipe for colds.

With ginger

Ginger is not inferior to mint in the number of useful trace elements in its composition. Together with mint, they are able to alleviate the condition in many diseases. To prepare a healthy drink, you need 3 g of mint and the same amount of grated ginger. Pour boiling water over the mixture for several minutes. Honey can be added to prevent and treat colds, while tart tea lovers can add tea leaves to taste.

With honey

Peppermint with honey goes well in both cold and hot. In summer, brewed and chilled mint with the addition of honey can perfectly refresh, and in winter protect immunity from the attacks of colds and viruses. It is equally tasty to drink mint tea with honey in the bite.

Cinnamon

A wonderful drink with oriental notes leaves few indifferent. For its preparation, it is recommended to pour fresh mint with boiling water and add a couple of cinnamon sticks. In a perfectly warming agent, you can add the zest of orange, cloves of spice or ginger. For lovers of tart teas, it is advised to use brewing black or green tea.

With milk

This tea has a refined taste and exquisite aroma. To prepare it, boil water with black tea and 1 tsp. chopped mint, then add 400 ml of milk, sugar and lemon juice to taste. Such tea is revered among many gourmets, and some people can even replace breakfast.

With raspberries

This tea boasts a high content of organic acids, antioxidants and vitamins. Tea with mint and raspberries is an excellent anti-inflammatory drug, presented to us by nature. To make tea, you need to chop raspberry and mint leaves, pour 1 tsp in a thermos. The mixture is filled with 250 ml of boiled water, cooled to 80 degrees. After 10-15 minutes, tea will be brewed and ready to drink.

With melissa

Melissa belongs to the same species as peppermint, but they are easy to distinguish by smell. Mint has a pronounced menthol odor, while the smell of lemon balm is calmer and sweeter, with citrus notes.If you brew tea using dried leaves of mint and lemon balm, you can get an excellent product with a high content of antioxidants and an unusual taste.

With thyme

Tea with thyme and mint combines all the most beneficial properties of these two plants. The thymol contained in this tea has unique antifungal and antiseptic properties, thereby being an indispensable assistant in getting rid of many health problems. To make medicinal tea you need 1 tsp. mix dried peppermint and thyme with 200 ml of water, leave for 10 minutes and strain.

With oregano

These 2 plants are perfectly combined with each other to taste and can help with many ailments, such as sleep disturbance, headache, and increased fatigue. Oregano with mint is mixed in equal amounts and brew 0.5 tbsp. 250 ml of boiling water. Tea is insisted for 5 minutes.

With camomile

Such tea is an excellent antispasmodic and a first aid in the treatment of colds. The combination of peppermint and chamomile improves sleep, helps to cope with stress and soothes. For its preparation, 1 tsp. mint and 1 tsp daisies are poured with a glass of boiling water and left to infuse for 15 minutes. For greater benefit, honey can be added.

Moroccan Mint Tea

An amazing recipe straight from Morocco will surprise any connoisseur of tea with its unusual taste notes. For the classic recipe, only green Chinese tea and mint are used. 2 tsp tea fall asleep in a teapot and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Tea should be infused for 15 minutes, then it is poured into a small saucepan, sugar is added and brought to a boil over medium heat. Before boiling add mint leaves. The secret of tea is in its foam. To do this, pour it into cups from a height of not less than half a meter. For effective serving, it is recommended to serve the drink in a transparent bowl, this will help to make out foam and mint leaves.

Interesting facts about mint

1. The name of the plant comes from Ancient Greece, where according to legend, the jealous wife of Hades, the god of the kingdom of the dead, separated him from her new lover. The beautiful girl was called Mint, Persephone, the wife of Hades, turned her into an unremarkable plant. Hades, tormented by separation from her beloved, could not return her human appearance, but gave an unattractive bush an amazing aroma. For a beautiful Aphrodite, this story seemed extremely romantic, and mint became her favorite plant, they began to use it as an aphrodisiac.
2. In the Roman Empire, women used mint as a perfume and folded branches into pillows, believing that its aroma could improve sleep and ward off bad dreams.
3. The ancient Romans wiped the tables with mint infusion and sprayed mint water in the rooms for a subtle smell in the home.
4. In ancient Egypt, mint was used in the preparation of sweets, and the pharaohs were sent on their last journey with bunches of plants in the tomb.
5. The amazing properties of peppermint have found their application not only in medicine and cooking. Essential oil from it is considered one of the most popular in the world. Mint notes can deter mosquitoes, and some claim that even mice are afraid of this smell.
6. They say that the mint seen in a dream promises a fun life. Another superstition advises putting a sheet of mint in your wallet so that money lingers in it.
7. One family with mint includes a bunch of other popular fragrant plants: oregano, basil, valerian, rosemary.
8. Mistresses advise mint as an excellent conservative for milk, with which it will not sour for a long time. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that milk will acquire a mint flavor.
9. Peppermint, the most popular in its form, was obtained by crossing two species: water and spike mint.
10. There are 2 islands in Japan where special mint grows. You can find it only in unsteady swamps, it is actively used in cooking and cosmetology, and it is quite expensive.
11. Before the invention of all kinds of toothpastes, Hippocrates recommended rinsing with a mint infusion to whiten teeth and destroy germs.
12. Peppermint is a fairly powerful allergen, so it needs to be kept away from people with allergies.
13. Mint is actively used in cooking, it is recommended as a sauce for meat, some prefer to add it to coffee.
14. Catnip is three completely different plants that cats really like.
15. In total, about 300 species of mint are known in the world; it grows and is cultivated in almost all countries.
16. In ancient times, mint was even insisted on mint, Italians and South Americans made drinks based on it for energy.
17. The first to start using peppermint as medicine are the Assyrians.
18. People around the world use mint as a proven remedy for headaches, nausea, and intestinal diseases. She is not advised to completely replace medicines, but only to use as an adjuvant in the treatment of a number of diseases.

Mint Tea Photo