Peppermint Herbal Tea Benefits
If you have irritable bowel syndrome, a syndrome that physicians mostly find difficult to cure, why not begin with a solution that is organic and usually reliable, not to mention a whole lot less expensive than doctor prescribed medication? Brew yourself a glass of tea to enjoy the very best of peppermint herbal tea benefits.
Peppermint tea is an age-old remedy for many types of stomach upset. In Europe, where some insurance plans pay for herbal teas as well as for conventional medications, peppermint tea has been put to clinical testing. There is a substantial body of scientific research that finds it is good for mild stomach ache, stomach gas, and loose bowel movement. It’s much better to know what you are dealing with, however, since abdominal pain is a symptom of a variety of conditions, some of them requiring urgent clinical attention. But in case you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), even your doctor might advise peppermint tea.
Just like many other herbs, peppermint is helpful in moderation and harmful in excess. The tannins in the tea interfere with absorption of iron from food, which can be a good thing if you have hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) and an awful thing if you suffer iron-deficiency anemia. Males who consume huge portions of peppermint tea (a gallon a day or so) can feel lowered testosterone levels. Ladies who use peppermint tea as a douche can suffer contact dermatitis.
You could rinse a minor skin with warm (not hot) tea as an added amount of protection towards several types of skin infections, including MRSA, but the vital oils in peppermint tea are too much in the body – do not put it in your neti pot. Peppermint tea is intended to be consumed, and about 5 cups (1.2 liters) daily is all your digestive tract needs.
Peppermint herbal tea benefits are also found in lemon balm (Melissa), chamomile, and star anise teas. Considering that all of these herbs work through their essential oils, you don’t want to boil the herb in the process of making your tea. Preparing peppermint tea with boiling water boils the essential oils away. Put almost-boiling water in a covered teapot or teacup, and allow to brew for 3 to 5 minutes. Consume warm, not hot.
Another way to get the benefits of peppermint for intestinal problems is to take enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil. These capsules only dissolve as soon as they reach the small intestine, saving their volatile oils for optimum effect against irritable bowel syndrome or duodenal ulcers. When it’s not practical to make tea, consider capsules as a great way to get relief of IBS or ulcers.