There is some evidence that peppermint tea may not be suitable for those who have GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease as it may in fact exacerbate symptoms rather than offer relief.

If you struggle with heartburn, or have a hiatus hernia or kidney stones, it may be prudent to avoid peppermint tea too, as while no adverse reactions have been found, it may, in some, make symptoms worse. Some people are allergic to mint.

The leaves themselves may cause irritation of the skin or eyes, such as itching and hives. If peppermint tea is consumed, then symptoms of a reaction usually occur within minutes, and may include an itchy tongue or throat, wheezing or a cough.

In rare cases, this reaction can be severe and is a medical emergency. Visit the NHS website to read more about allergies. Not really. The only side effect that you may experience would be the need for more frequent trips to the bathroom from the increased water intake. Alternatively, you can buy loose-leaf tea or teabags, which will be dried peppermint.

The health benefits of green tea The health benefits of kombucha The health benefits of lemon water The health benefits of kefir Health benefits of rooibos tea Health benefits of magnesium. Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector.

Find out more at urbanwellness. All health content on bbcgoodfood. com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional.

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It is soothing and calming for sore throats pharyngitis and dry coughs. Peppermint plants grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall. They bloom from July through August, sprouting tiny purple flowers in whorls and terminal spikes. Dark green, fragrant leaves grow opposite white flowers.

Peppermint is native to Europe and Asia, is naturalized to North America, and grows wild in moist, temperate areas. Some varieties are indigenous to South Africa, South America, and Australia.

The leaves and stems, which contain menthol a volatile oil , are used medicinally, as a flavoring in food, and in cosmetics for fragrance. Peppermint tea is prepared from dried leaves of the plant and is widely available commercially.

A tincture can be prepared by adding 1 part peppermint oil to 9 parts pure grain alcohol. Enteric-coated capsules are specially coated to allow the capsule to pass through the stomach and into the intestine 0.

Pediatric DO NOT give peppermint to an infant or small child. Peppermint oil applied to the face of infants can cause life-threatening breathing problems. In addition, peppermint tea may cause a burning sensation in the mouth. For digestion and upset stomach in older children: 1 to 2 mL peppermint glycerite that is specially formulated for children, per day.

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

DO NOT take peppermint or drink peppermint tea if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD -- a condition where stomach acids back up into the esophagus , or hiatal hernia.

Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. The sphincter is the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. By relaxing the sphincter, peppermint may actually worsen the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.

The amount of peppermint normally found in food is likely to be safe during pregnancy, but not enough is known about the effects of larger supplemental amounts.

Some experts even recommend modest amounts of peppermint tea to help alleviate nausea during pregnancy. Speak with your provider before using peppermint or any other herbal products during pregnancy. Never apply peppermint oil to the face of an infant or small child, as it may cause spasms that inhibit breathing.

Large doses of peppermint oil can be toxic. Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken internally. It is important not to confuse oil and tincture preparations.

Cyclosporine This drug, which is usually taken to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ, suppresses the immune system. Peppermint oil may slow down the rate at which the body breaks down cyclosporine, meaning more of it stays in your bloodstream.

DO NOT take peppermint oil if you take cyclosporine. If you take peppermint capsules at the same time as drugs that lower the amount of stomach acid, the enteric-coated peppermint capsules may dissolve in the stomach instead of the intestines.

This could reduce the effects of peppermint. Take peppermint at least 2 hours before or after an acid-reducing drug. Antacids include:. Test tube studies suggest peppermint may lower blood sugar, raising the risk of hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Since peppermint works on the liver, it may affect medications that are metabolized by the liver of which there are many.

Speak with your health care provider. Some animal studies suggest that peppermint may lower blood pressure. If you take medications to lower blood pressure, taking peppermint also might make their effect stronger.

Agarwal V, Lal P, Pruthi V. Effect of plant oils on Candida albicans. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. Alam MS, Roy PK, Miah AR, et al. Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS - a double blind randomized placebo - controlled study.

Mymensingh Med J. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; Cappello G, Spezzaferro M, Grossi L, Manzoli L, Marzio L.

Peppermint oil Mintoil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Dig Liver Dis.

Cash BD, Epstein MS, Shah SM. A novel delivery system of peppermint oil is an effective therapy for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Dig Dis Sci. Ford AC, Talley NJ, Spiegel BM, et al. Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Imagawa A, Hata H, Nakatsu M, et al. Peppermint oil solution is useful as an antispasmodic drug for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, especially for elderly patients. Inamori M, Akiyama T, Akimoto K, et al. Early effects of peppermint oil on gastric emptying: a crossover study using a continuous real-time 13C breath test BreathID system.

J Gastroenterol. Kline RM, Kline JJ, Di Palma J, Barbero GJ. Enteric-coated, pH-dependent peppermint oil capsules for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children. J Pediatr. Korterink JJ, Rutten JM, Venmans L, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM.

Pharacolgic treatment in pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders: a systematic review.

For this reason, it may also help fight intestinal damage caused by oxidative stress in those with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition that causes sores in the colon Therefore, it may help relieve constipation These results suggest that drinking angelica root tea may promote a healthy digestive tract, but no human studies have confirmed this.

To make angelica root tea, add 1 tablespoon 14 grams of fresh or dried angelica root to 1 cup ml of boiled water. Let it steep for 5—10 minutes before straining and drinking it. Summary Animal and test-tube studies have shown that angelica root protects against intestinal damage and stimulates the release of digestive acids.

Dandelions are weeds from the Taraxacum family. Animal studies have shown that dandelion extracts contain compounds that may promote digestion by stimulating muscle contractions and promoting the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine 22 , A study in rats found that dandelion extract also helped protect against ulcers by fighting inflammation and decreasing the production of stomach acid Hence, drinking dandelion tea may promote healthy digestion.

However, research in humans is limited. To make dandelion tea, combine 2 cups of dandelion flowers and 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove it from heat and let it steep for 5—10 minutes. Strain it through a colander or sieve before drinking.

Summary Dandelion extract has been shown to stimulate digestion and protect against ulcers in animal studies. Human studies are needed. It contains chemicals called sennosides, which break down in the colon and act on smooth muscle, promoting contractions and bowel movements Studies have shown that senna is a highly effective laxative in both children and adults with constipation from different causes 26 , 27 , Thus, senna tea may be an effective and easy way to find relief from constipation.

You can make senna tea by steeping 1 teaspoon 4 grams of dried senna leaves in 1 cup ml of boiled water for 5—10 minutes before straining. Senna tea bags are also available at most health food stores and online.

Summary Senna is commonly used as a laxative, as it contains sennosides that help promote contractions of the colon and regular bowel movements. Polysaccharides from marshmallow root, such as mucilage, can help stimulate the production of mucus-producing cells that line your digestive tract 29 , 30 , In addition to increasing mucus production and coating your throat and stomach, marshmallow root may have antioxidant properties that help decrease levels of histamine, a compound released during inflammation.

As a result, it may protect against ulcers. In fact, one animal study found that marshmallow root extract was highly effective at preventing stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS While these results on marshmallow root extract are interesting, more research is needed on the effects of marshmallow root tea.

To make marshmallow root tea, combine 1 tablespoon 14 grams of dried marshmallow root with 1 cup ml of boiled water. Summary Compounds in marshmallow root may stimulate mucus production and help coat your digestive tract, providing relief from stomach ulcers.

Black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. This tea boasts several healthy compounds. These include thearubigins, which may improve indigestion , and theaflavins, which act as antioxidants and may protect against stomach ulcers 33 , 34 , Another study in mice found that black tea extract improved delayed gastric emptying and resulting indigestion caused by a medication Therefore, drinking black tea may help improve digestion and protect against ulcers, but more research is needed.

To make black tea, steep a black tea bag in 1 cup ml of boiled water for 5—10 minutes before drinking it. You can also use loose black tea leaves and strain the tea after steeping.

Summary Drinking black tea may help protect against stomach ulcers and indigestion due to compounds in the tea that act as antioxidants. While herbal teas are generally considered safe for healthy people, you should be cautious when adding a new type of tea to your routine. Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding the safety of some teas in children and pregnant and lactating women 37 , If you want to try a new herbal tea to improve your digestion, start with a low dose and take note of how it makes you feel.

Also, be sure to consult your doctor first if you are taking medications or have a health condition. Summary Although teas are generally considered safe for most people, some teas may not be appropriate for children, pregnant women, or those taking certain medications. Herbal teas can provide a variety of digestive benefits, including relief from constipation, ulcers, and indigestion.

Peppermint, ginger, and marshmallow root are just some of the many types of teas that may help improve digestion. If you want to start drinking a certain tea to aid your digestion, be sure to confirm the appropriate amount to brew and how often to drink it. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Yerba maté is made from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a type of South American holy. It has a number of potential health benefits.

Read this…. What are micronutrients? Read on to learn more about these essential vitamins and minerals, the role they play in supporting health, as well as…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Human Biology. Nervous system Cardiovascular system Respiratory system Digestive system Immune system. Health benefits of peppermint tea. Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.

Fresher breath Tension headaches Nasal congestion Digestion Menstrual cramps More energy Antibacterial properties Recipe How much to drink Risks Summary Possible health benefits of peppermint tea include improving breath, relieving tension headaches, and aiding digestion.

Fresher breath. Share on Pinterest Peppermint tea may have antibacterial properties. Relief from tension headaches. Reduced nasal congestion. Better digestion. Less painful menstrual cramps. Share on Pinterest Peppermint tea may help treat menstrual cramps. More energy. Antibacterial properties.

Homemade peppermint tea. How much to drink. Share on Pinterest It is safe to drink peppermint tea multiple times a day. Risks and considerations. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. Also, despite its soothing effects on the digestive system, too much mint tea might exacerbate symptoms in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. Bottom line for everyone: Consume a moderate amount and connect with your doctor about your specific medical situation and concerns.

There is no one food or drink that will detox your body. However, adequate hydration—and mint tea can certainly contribute to that—will support proper kidney function so that toxins can be removed from the body through urine.

Staying hydrated also promotes bowel regularity, another primary way the body expels toxins. No single food or drink will burn belly fat. Losing belly fat involves a combination of eating a balanced diet , regular exercise and lifestyle changes, such as adequate sleep.

Mint tea is naturally caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it at any time of the day without worry that it will interfere with your sleep. Interestingly enough, consuming large amounts of spearmint tea can contribute to kidney or liver damage if you have an existing kidney disorder or liver disease, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Note that spearmint tea differs from other types of mint, like peppermint. As for peppermint, Mount Sinai notes that it can interfere with medications that are metabolized by the liver. Mint tea brings a plethora of potential health benefits, including digestive support and stress relief.

Otherwise, mint tea is a refreshing and enjoyable health-promoting beverage. Sip on. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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Lauren Manaker M. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines. Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.