Spearmint clad by the vernacular names garden mint, common mint, mackerel mint, and lamb mint, is potent herbal remedy for a host of health benefits includes enhancement of the immune system, boosting blood circulation, optimize hormonal levels, relieving stress and alleviating cardiac troubles.

Spearmint goes by the botanical name Mentha spicata and belongs to the mint family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that is widely grown all over Europe, China, India and most of southern Asia.

Prized all over the world for its distinct taste and characteristic aroma when used in the various delicacies, spearmint can easily be infused in various drinks and dishes to relish its taste and reap the buck load of health benefits.

Spearmint has been used for ages in several holistic treatments including Ayurveda, Unani and Chinese medicines. Ayurveda strongly advocates the effectiveness of spearmint tea for relieving gastrointestinal troubles, soothing the stomach and colic pain in infants and treat irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal cramp, and flatulence.

Apart from being used in several hygiene products like toothpaste, mouth wash, soap and being whipped into cocktails, sauces, dips, and delicacies, the immense benefits of spearmint can also be enjoyed as a health drink like spearmint tea and spearmint essential oil.

How To Make Spearmint Tea At Home?

Ingredients

2 cups of water water

10 – 15 spearmint leaves (freshly plucked)

2 tsp of honey

1 sliced lemon or lemon juice

Method

Wash the spearmint leaves and keep it aside

Boil water in a thick bottomed vessel and switch off the flame.

Steep the spearmint leaves in the hot water and close the lid.

After 3- 5 minutes, pour the soaked water in a cup.

Add honey and stir it properly.

Add the slice of lemon in the tea or a dash of lemon juice as per choice.

The tea can be enjoyed both warm or cold depending upon one’s requirement and relish in its benefits.

Nutritional Value Of Spearmint Tea:

Spearmint Tea is a powerhouse of various nutritional components. It is loaded with a spectrum of essential nutrients including vitamins A, D, B12, calcium, iron, fibre, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, glucose, protein, and carbohydrates.

Nutritional Benefits of Drinking Spearmint Tea

Improves Respiratory Health

The abundance of anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effects of spearmint makes it extremely beneficial for respiratory health. It provides relief from a sore throat, clears nasal and chest congestion and also soothes a dry, irritated throat. It also serves as a potent remedy for asthma, bronchitis, sinus, and headache.

Aids In Digestion

Spearmint tea plays a key role in promoting digestion and soothing irritated stomach. The active ingredient carvone helps in reducing painful muscle contractions in the digestive tract. It increases the absorption of minerals from the food and also soothes an upset stomach.

Regular intake of spearmint tea is extremely effective in treating nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal distension, abdominal cramping, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Regulates Hormonal Imbalance

Drinking spearmint tea regularly can show excellent results in regulating hormonal imbalance in women. Several scientific pieces of research claim that spearmint consumption can effectively reduce male hormones like testosterone and elevate female hormones which are necessary for ovulation, like follicle-stimulating hormone (i.e. FSH), luteinizing hormone (i.e. LH), and oestradiol.

The antioxidants and flavonoids present in spearmint tea also treat symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, cystic acne and irregular periods.

Treats Hirsutism

Regular consumption of spearmint tea holds high significance in treating a condition called Hirsutism, which is a condition where women develop dark, thick hair on unwanted places like above the lips, at the chin or jawline or on the chest or back. This is mostly caused due to the presence of high levels of testosterone in the body.

A cup of spearmint tea taken twice a day for a week is bound to show effective results in reducing the male hormones and treating hirsutism.

Prevents Bacterial Infections

The potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in spearmint are highly beneficial in treating mouth sores, bad breath, and dental infections. It effectively kills the bad bacteria which causes gum infection and treats tooth decay and gingivitis. Spearmint oil is also very important in inhibiting the growth of various bacterial strains in the body, thus improving the immunity of the body.

Drink a cup of spearmint tea every morning to avoid getting a cold and prevent symptoms of viral fever.

Enhances Memory

Spearmint is an ancient and traditional remedy to increase the functioning of the brain. The potent antioxidants and polyphenols present in the leaves elevate the brain activity and helps in the secretion of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. It also promotes memory capacity, concentration, focus, calmness, alertness of an individual. Hence, it can be considered as a brain booster and is extremely beneficial in treating psychotic conditions like depression, insomnia, and ailments like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Relieve Stress

The active component menthol in spearmint leaves acts as a natural tranquilizer. The sedative nature of the plant calms nerves and reduces anxiety. Inhaling spearmint oil vapours or drinking the tea, facilitates the herb to bind with the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, acting as a mild sedative and hypnotic agent. It also promotes the secretion of serotonin and melatonin hormones in the body that alleviates symptoms of chronic anxiety and stress and treats disorders like hysteria, nightmares, and insomnia. Also Read: Enjoy the soothing benefits of Herbal Tea

Augments Skin

Enriched with antioxidants, spearmint is quintessential in shielding the skin from free radical damage and providing relief from allergic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, sunburn, rosacea, etc. The natural polyphenols and phytochemicals in it also arrest the various signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, etc. and imparts a radiant and blemish-free natural glow to the skin.

Conclusion

Spearmint tea imbued with the various essential vitamins and minerals is extremely beneficial for the body. Regular intake of this tea benefits one by regulating hormonal imbalance, promoting digestion, preventing cough and flu, and also relieving stress.