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Peppermint tea is naturally sweet and free of caffeine and calories. It may also be linked to several health benefits and could help improve digestive issues, boost concentration, relieve migraines, and freshen your breath. Peppermint is used as a flavoring in breath mints, candies, and other foods. Additionally, many people consume peppermint as a refreshing, caffeine-free tea.
Peppermint leaves contain several essential oils including menthol, menthone, and limonene. Menthol gives peppermint its cooling properties and recognizably minty scent.
While peppermint tea is often drunk for its flavor, it may also have several health benefits. The tea itself has rarely been studied scientifically, but peppermint extracts have.
Here are 12 science-backed benefits of peppermint tea and extracts.
- May ease digestive issues
Peppermint may relieve digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Animal studies indicate that peppermint relaxes your digestive system and may ease pain. It also prevents smooth muscles from contracting, which could relieve spasms in your gut.
A 2014 review of nine studies in 726 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treated with peppermint oil for at least 2 weeks concluded that peppermint provided significantly better symptom relief than a placebo.
In one study in 72 people with IBS, peppermint oil capsules reduced IBS symptoms by 40% after 4 weeks, compared to only 24.3% with a placebo.
Additionally, in a review of 14 clinical trials in nearly 2,000 children, peppermint reduced the frequency, length, and severity of abdominal pain.
Furthermore, another study showed that the scent of peppermint oil drops reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting and decreased the severity of nausea in people undergoing chemotherapy.
While no studies have examined peppermint tea and digestion, it’s possible that the tea could have similar effects.
- May help relieve tension headaches and migraines
As peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever, it may diminish certain types of headaches. The menthol in peppermint oil increases blood flow and provides a cooling sensation, possibly easing pain.
In one 2010 randomised clinical study in 35 people with migraines, peppermint oil applied to the forehead and temples significantly reduced pain after 2 hours, compared to a placebo.
Another study found that administering peppermint oil drops into the nose reduced the intensity and frequency of headaches and was as effective as lidocaine, a common pain reliever.
While the aroma of peppermint tea may help relax muscles and improve headache pain, there is no supporting scientific evidence to confirm this effect. However, applying peppermint oil to your temples may help.
- May freshen your breath
There’s a reason why peppermint is a common flavoring for toothpastes, mouthwashes, and chewing gums. In addition to its pleasant smell, peppermint has antibacterial properties that help kill germs that cause dental plaque, which may improve your breath.
In one study, people who had undergone spine surgery and had received a rinse made with peppermint, tea tree, and lemon oils experienced improvement in bad breath symptoms compared to those who did not receive the oils. In another 2013 study, female students given a peppermint mouth rinse experienced an improvement in breath after 1 week, compared to the control group.
While there is no evidence from scientific studies that drinking peppermint tea has the same effect, the compounds in peppermint have been shown to improve breath.
- May relieve clogged sinuses
Peppermint has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, peppermint tea may alleviate clogged sinuses due to infections, the common cold, and allergies.
Additionally, some older research demonstrates that menthol — one of the active compounds in peppermint — improves the perception of airflow in your nasal cavity. Therefore, steam from peppermint tea may help you feel as though your breathing is easier.
Furthermore, warm liquids, such as chicken broth and tea, have been shown to temporarily improve symptoms of sinus congestion such as a runny nose, cough, and sore throat in some older studies.
Though peppermint tea has not been studied for its effects on nasal congestion, evidence suggests that it may be helpful.
- May improve energy
Peppermint tea may improve energy levels and reduce fatigue.
While there are no studies on peppermint tea specifically, research demonstrates that natural compounds in peppermint may have beneficial effects on energy.
In one study, 24 healthy young people experienced less mental fatigue during a cognitive test when given peppermint oil capsules.
In another study, peppermint oil aromatherapy was found to reduce the incidence of fatigue more effectively than a placebo in people admitted to a cardiology center.
- May help relieve menstrual cramps
Because peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant, it may relieve menstrual cramps.
While peppermint tea has not been studied to that effect, compounds in peppermint have been shown to improve symptoms.
In one study in 127 females with painful periods, peppermint extract capsules were found to be as effective as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in reducing the intensity and duration of pain.
Though additional research is needed, it is possible that peppermint tea could have similar effects.
- May be beneficial against bacterial infections
While there are no studies on the antibacterial effects of peppermint tea, peppermint oil has been shown to effectively kill bacteria.
In one study, peppermint oil was found to kill and prevent the growth of common food-borne bacteria including E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella in pineapple and mango juices.
Peppermint oil also kills several types of bacteria that lead to illnesses in humans, including Staphylococcus and pneumonia-linked bacteria.
Additionally, studies indicate that peppermint reduces several types of bacteria commonly found in your mouth.
Furthermore, menthol has also demonstrated antibacterial activity in some older test-tube studies.
- May improve your sleep
Peppermint tea is an ideal choice before bed, as it’s naturally caffeine-free.
What’s more, peppermint’s capacity as a muscle relaxant may help you relax before bedtime.
That said, there is not much scientific evidence that peppermint enhances sleep.
However, one study found that inhaling three drops of peppermint oil per day over a 7-day period improved sleep quality in people with cancer
Still, more high-quality studies on the effects of peppermint on sleep are needed.
- May aid weight loss
Peppermint tea is naturally calorie-free and has a pleasantly sweet flavor, which makes it a smart choice when you’re trying to lose weight.
However, there is not much research on the effects of peppermint tea on weight.
In a 2013 study in 13 healthy people, taking a peppermint oil capsule resulted in reduced appetite compared to not taking peppermint.
On the other hand, an animal study showed that mice given peppermint extracts gained more weight than the control group.
Therefore, more research is needed on peppermint and weight loss.
- May improve seasonal allergies
Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid, a plant compound found in rosemary and plants in the mint family.
Rosmarinic acid is linked to reduced symptoms of allergic reactions, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, and asthma.
In one 2004 study in 29 people with seasonal allergies, those given an oral supplement containing rosmarinic acid for 21 days had fewer symptoms of itchy nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms than those given a placebo.
While it’s unknown whether the amount of rosmarinic acid found in peppermint is enough to affect allergy symptoms, there is some evidence that peppermint may relieve allergies.
In fact, in one older study in rats, peppermint extract reduced allergic symptoms, such as sneezing and itchy nose
- May improve concentration
Drinking peppermint tea may help improve your ability to concentrate and focus.
While studies on the effects of peppermint tea on concentration are unavailable, two small studies have researched this beneficial effect of peppermint oil, taken by ingestion or inhalation.
In one study, 24 young adults performed significantly better on cognitive tests when they were given peppermint oil capsules.
In another older study, smelling peppermint oil was found to improve memory and alertness compared to ylang-ylang, another popular essential oil.
- Easy to add to your diet
Peppermint tea is delicious and easy to add to your diet.
You can buy it in tea bags, as loose-leaf tea, or simply grow your own peppermint.
To make your own peppermint tea:
Bring 2 cups (473 milliliters) of water to a boil.
Turn off the heat and add a handful of torn peppermint leaves to the water.
Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain the tea and drink.
Because peppermint tea is naturally free of caffeine, you can drink it at any time of day.
Enjoy it as a post-meal treat to aid digestion, in the afternoon to boost your energy levels, or before bed to help you relax.
Written by Melissa Groves. Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD, Nutrition (Healthline)
