5 Incredible Spearmint Tea Health Benefits
Spearmint tea might look like an ordinary herbal drink, but people have been using this sweet, minty plant for centuries, if not millennia. It has been mentioned in traditional Iranian, Chinese, and Ayurvedic medicine, often as a remedy for many digestive discomforts, headaches, and other everyday complaints.
These days, however, spearmint is best known for something a little more specific: its effect on hormones. Studies have suggested it could help people dealing with polycystic ovary syndrome, unwanted facial hair, or hormone-related acne.
Either way, spearmint is promising, but it is not a panacea. Still, here are five amazing benefits you should totally explore.
It Could Help With Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is often linked to androgens, which sometimes increase the production of the oily substance released by the skin. Too much of that oil can mix with dead skin bits and clog the pores, causing inflammation and breakouts.
Because spearmint may help lower free testosterone, some people believe that regularly drinking the tea could improve hormone-related acne, particularly acne connected to PCOS. The idea makes sense in theory, but still needs more testing.
Spearmint also contains plant compounds with potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may act against certain bacteria, but that does not mean a cup of tea will clear the skin right away.
Spearmint Extract May Support Memory and Focus
Spearmint is also said to support memory, concentration, and other aspects of mental performance, which is universally a good thing. One of the studies had older adults taking a concentrated spearmint extract every day for 90 days. Compared with a placebo group, they showed improvements in certain tests of working and spatial memory.
The thing about this research was that the participants took concentrated spearmint extract. They were not simply drinking an ordinary cup of tea. So, just don’t expect one mug of spearmint tea to suddenly turn your brain into a supercomputer.
It May Support People With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PCOS can affect periods, fertility, skin, hair growth, weight, and insulin sensitivity, and many people with PCOS have abnormal levels of androgens, hormones that include testosterone. Spearmint apparently has mild anti-androgenic effects that might help reduce the activity or levels of certain androgen hormones.
Some clinical studies have found that women who drank spearmint tea experienced changes in free testosterone and other reproductive hormones. However, these results do not prove that spearmint tea can treat PCOS on its own, as most of those studies used several herbs mixed together, making it impossible to know how much of the effect came from spearmint.
It May Reduce Unwanted Hair Growth
Hirsutism causes thick, dark hair to grow on the chin, upper lip, chest, or abdomen. It is often associated with elevated androgen levels and can be one of the more frustrating symptoms of PCOS. During one of the trials, participants with hirsutism drank two cups of spearmint tea for 30 days, and their testosterone went down.
But of course, there was a catch. Actual, objective measurements did not show a significant physical reduction in hair growth during the trial. Spearmint tea may have a positive effect on the hormones connected to hirsutism, but it requires longer and larger studies.
It May Soothe Digestive Discomfort
Spearmint has traditionally been used to deal with digestive troubles, including bloating, gas, and nausea. Like other members of the mint family, it contains special compounds that can help relax muscles, so drink up and let it rip. A warm drink may also be comforting after a heavy meal and help settle your tummy or reduce bloating.
With that said, the research on spearmint tea is pretty scarce. Most of the evidence involving mint and digestion focuses on peppermint oil or combinations of peppermint and caraway oil. Spearmint is a similar but also a very different plant and does not necessarily have identical effects.
Mint products also have their drawbacks. If you were not aware, spearmint tea can also cause heartburn or acid reflux. If spearmint makes you uncomfortable or in pain, it’s probably not for you.
Is Spearmint Tea Safe?
Moderation is essential for longevity, just as it is in all aspects of life. Small amounts of spearmint tea are generally considered low-risk. Possible problems include allergic reactions, stomach irritation, or a nasty case of acid reflux.
Concentrated extracts and essential oils are much stronger than your regular tea, so don’t just pour them haphazardly into your cup. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, managing a hormone-related condition, or dealing with liver or kidney problems, always check with a doctor before you go too far.
Enjoy your hot cup of spearmint tea and its potential hormonal benefits, but don’t expect it to solve all your problems. It’s just a herb after all.