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Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is a tisane (infusion) of peppermint, Mentha piperita.

It is sometimes called mint tea. It is naturally caffeine-free. A tea

made from blending peppermint and spearmint leaves is referred

to as doublemint tea.

Health benefits and concerns

Though there have been few human clinical trials on the health benefits or risks of peppermint tea,[1] there is some evidence[2] that peppermint-based products (and potentially, the tea) have healing effects because of the peppermint oil or menthol that it contains, and that treatment using orally ingested Peppermint Oil will relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It has also been shown to be an effective antispasmodic during colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.[3] There is less evidence, but it is said to also ease other problems including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. Its minty flavour can take the edge off bad breath. It is also said to control mild asthma, manage stress and ward off the common cold. In some countries, peppermint tea preparations list these
proposed effects on their labels.

However, peppermint has properties that may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing the contents of the stomach to move upwards into the esophagus. For this reason, patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are advised to avoid peppermint, at least in theory. On the other hand, precisely because it calms and relaxes the muscles along the intestinal tract, thus reducing spasms, peppermint may have beneficial effects in treating digestive symptoms like diarrhea and colic.[citation needed] Peppermint also seems to be effective in relieving intestinal gas and indigestion.[4]

References

1.   McKay DL, Blumberg JB (August 2006). "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.)". Phytother Res 20 (8): 619–33. doi:10.1002/ptr.1936. PMID 16767798.

2.   Capello G,et al (April 2007). "Peppermint oil (Mintoil) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial". Dig Liver Dis. 39 (6): 530–6. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2007.02.006. PMID 17420159. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed? term=Cappello%20G%2C%20Spezzaferro%20M%2C%20Grossi%20L%2C%20Manzoli%20L%2C%20Marzio%20L. 

3.   Yamamoto N, et al (November 2006). "Efficacy of peppermint oil as an antispasmodic during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography". Gastroenterol Hepatol. 21 (11): 1768. PMID 16911682. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed? term=Yamamoto%20N%2C%20Nakai%20Y%2C%20Sasahira%20N%2C%20Hirano%20K%2C%20Tsujino%20T%2C%20Isayama%20H%2C%20et%20al.%20Efficacy%20of%20peppermint%20oil%20as%20an%20antispasmodic%20during%20endoscopic%20retrograde%20cholangiopancreatography.%20J%20Gastroenterol%20Hepatol.%202006%20Sep%3B21(9)%3A1394-8. 

4.   http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/peppermint-000269.htm 

External Links 

University of Maryland Medical Centre website on Peppermint, retrieved on September 11, 2007 

Peppermint Tea Information - All about Peppermint Tea, retrieved on July 11, 2011 

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