Why is mint tea useful and who can drink it?
Mint tea has a pleasant taste and aroma. It has a refreshing and invigorating effect. There are many ways to make mint tea. Fans of classic tastes add lemon, currant, chamomile, blueberry, raspberry to it. Those who prefer more original options choose ginger or citrus.
Almost everyone is familiar with the smell and taste of mint. Tea with this plant has the following characteristics:
- Refreshing taste;
- An invigorating scent created by the content of essential oils.
The composition of mint contains menthol, due to which it has a memorable unique taste and smell.
Content:
- Benefits of mint tea
- Who shouldn't drink mint tea?
How to make peppermint tea? 17 best recipes
- Classic cooking
- Lemon mint recipe
- Lemon recipe
- Ginger recipe
- Thyme recipe
- Orange recipe
- Chamomile recipe
- Recipe with honey
- Currant recipe
- Sage recipe
- Lime recipe
- Raspberry recipe
- Blueberry recipe
- Mandarin Recipe
- Recipe with oregano and St. John's wort
- Mint green tea recipe
- Moroccan mint tea recipe
- Mint tea for weight loss
The benefits and harms of drinking mint tea
- Can men drink mint tea?
- Benefits of mint tea for women
- Can pregnant women drink mint tea?
- Can peppermint tea be breastfeeding?
- Can children be given mint tea?
- Is mint tea good for bed?
- How often can you drink mint tea?
Benefits of mint tea
Peppermint tea helps you stay in good shape and improves your mood Among the useful properties of the drink are noted:
- Esters of menthol make breathing easier for colds;
- Favorable effect on the cardiovascular system;
- Calming effect, reducing anxiety;
- Strengthening immunity, improving physical condition.
Mint is widely used in cosmetology. Its use has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair.
Can you make tea with room mint?
Indoor mint, also known as plectranthus, is grown at home. The plant is found in many homes, and in terms of its medicinal properties it is in no way inferior to the species of mint growing in the garden. Plectrantus is used to make tea as well as a peppermint brew.
Additional ingredients can be added to mint tea, which not only reveal the taste of the drink, but also have their own healing properties. Below are recipes for 2 servings. The preparation of the drink is carried out according to the classic recipe, however, in addition to the tea and mint leaves, you will need to add the selected ingredient to the teapot.
Who shouldn't drink mint tea?
Peppermint tea may be contraindicated in some cases:
- Allergic reactions to mint.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
- Hypotension.
- Phlebeurysm.
- Children under 5 years old.
The menthol in peppermint helps lower blood pressure. Therefore, mint is recommended for hypertensive patients and healthy people. With hypotension, tea with mint is not advised, as it can worsen the condition. Men are not advised to consume large quantities of mint due to the content of phytoestrogens in it, substances similar in action in the body to the female hormones estrogen. In this case, this does not mean a complete rejection of tea with mint, but only a restrained use.
In case of serious health problems, pathology of internal organs, you should consult your doctor before drinking the drink.
How to make peppermint tea? 17 best recipes
There is nothing complicated in the classic version of making tea with mint. But by combining it with additional ingredients, you can get new drinks that differ in a variety of tastes and aromas.
Classic cooking
For two cups of drink you need to take:
- Water - 0.5 l;
- Fresh mint - 2-3 branches.
The kettle where the drink will be brewed is recommended to be poured over with boiling water before starting. This is to ensure that the temperature of the water is not reduced by the cold walls of the dishes.
Mint tea is prepared according to the following recipe:
- The water is brought to a boil.
- The leaves are placed in a kettle and filled with boiling water.
- The dishes for brewing are tightly closed with a lid, you can cover with a towel.
- Can be consumed in 8-10 minutes.
Note! All recipes listed below always include mint by default. For a serving of two, it is enough to put 1 tsp. dry mint. For making tea, not only fresh but also dry leaves are used.
Melissa (lemon mint)
Quantity: 2-3 sprigs of lemon balm.
Result: a light lemon scent.
Properties. Melissa has a relaxing, calming effect, lowers blood pressure.
Lemon
Amount: 1 lemon wedge. If you do not like lemon, then put 1 slice of lemon peel, without the zest, the result will pleasantly surprise you!
Result: citrus aroma and lemon flavor.
Properties. Lemon is considered a fruit that contains a large amount of vitamin C, which supports and strengthens the immune system. This tea improves health and is recommended for frequent colds. Tea with mint and lemon is not recommended for people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system.
Ginger
Amount: 1-2 teaspoons of grated ginger root.
Result: tangy taste, pleasant bitterness.
Properties. Ginger root is known for its antiseptic properties. Tea with it has an even more warming effect. Tea with mint and ginger is not recommended for problems with the cardiovascular system and gallbladder.
Thyme
Quantity: 1-2 sprigs of thyme.
Result: Thyme adds spice to the drink.
Properties. The medicinal plant increases the warming properties of tea, has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. However, it is not recommended for chronic diseases of the digestive tract.
Orange
Quantity: juice and zest of one fruit for two people.
The result: intense citrus aroma and orange flavor.
Properties. Tea with mint and orange improves immunity, is an excellent remedy for colds. But since citrus contains a large number of allergens, this tea is not recommended for people prone to allergies.
Chamomile
Quantity: 1 tbsp. l. dry flowers
Result: chamomile has healing properties, so this tea is recommended for various diseases.
Properties. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties. It is useful for a wide variety of conditions. If you have chronic diseases, you should consult a specialist before use.
Honey
Amount: 3-4 tsp. honey.
Result: on the one hand, honey is considered a healthy alternative to sugar, on the other hand, it has high healing properties.
Properties. Honey enhances immunity, is useful for colds. It can be added to tea or served separately.
Currant
Quantity: 6-7 fresh sheets (can be replaced with dry ones)
Result: high vitamin C content in the drink
Properties. Fresh or frozen berries can be added to mint tea to give it more flavor. People with high acidity of the stomach are advised to limit the consumption of the drink.
Sage
Quantity: 1 tbsp. l. sage
Result: the appearance of "bitterness" in tea
Properties. Sage is considered a valuable medicinal plant. It is useful in treating infertility and hormonal imbalance. But this recipe is not recommended for low blood pressure.
Lime
Quantity: 2 lime wedges
Result: Limes have a more sour taste than lemon, and are more pleasant to many people.
Properties. Lime is considered a fruit that is maximally saturated with vitamin C. It is recommended to increase immunity, especially during seasonal illness. Lime and mint tea is contraindicated for problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Raspberry
Amount: 6-7 fresh leaves (can be replaced with dried ones), or a handful of berries
Result: rich taste and bright aroma of berries
Properties. Raspberries have traditionally been considered an antipyretic agent that can fight fever from a cold or flu. It is not recommended to add berries or leaves to tea for people suffering from kidney stones. The taste of the tea goes well with fresh or dried berries.
Quantity: 1 tbsp. l. dry leaf or a handful of berries
Result: rich bright color of the drink, rich aroma
Properties. Blueberries contain vitamins and substances that are good for eyesight. When brewing a drink, you can take fresh berries or leaves. Blueberry tea is prohibited if you have a history of diabetes.
Mandarin
Quantity: zest and juice of 1 fruit.
Result: aroma and taste of mandarin, original "bitterness"
Properties. Tea with tangerines and mint is no less useful than with other citrus fruits. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, which is beneficial for the immune system. This tea is contraindicated for people prone to allergies.
Oregano and St. John's wort
Amount: 1 tsp. dry leaves of St. John's wort, 1 tsp. dry oregano
Properties. tea with mint, oregano and St. John's wort is recommended for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. Caution should be exercised in the presence of problems with the cardiovascular system.
Green tea with mint
Amount: 6 g of green tea
Properties. Green tea is known for its beneficial properties. Adding mint to tea not only increases them, but also improves the taste, makes the aroma brighter. This tea is believed to be beneficial for women during menopause. Many women note the effect of the drink on reducing pain during menstruation.
Moroccan mint tea
Moroccan mint tea is popular all over the world. Green tea leaves are used to prepare the drink. Tea is prepared as follows.
Ingredients:
- 10 g green tea leaves;
- 500 ml of water;
- 2-3 st. l. fresh mint;
- sugar to taste.
Cooking method:
- Tea leaves are placed in the kettle.
- The sheets are filled with boiling water and left for 10-15 minutes.
- The tea is filtered.
- Sugar is added to taste.
- The tea is brought to a boil again until the sugar dissolves.
- Fresh mint leaves are added.
- The tea is infused for 5 minutes.
When pouring a drink into cups, keep the kettle at a height of about 0.5 meters. This is done so that the liquid is saturated with oxygen as much as possible and reaches a comfortable temperature for drinking tea.
Mint tea for weight loss
Nutritionists recommend using peppermint in weight loss programs. This is due to the following properties of the drink:
- Improving digestive processes;
- Decreased appetite;
- General cleansing of the body from toxins;
- Increased immunity.
Because of this, mint green tea is considered the optimal drink to drink while dieting.
[Video] Richard Schultz's Mint Tea in 2 Minutes:
The benefits and harms of drinking mint tea
There is an opinion that only women can drink mint tea. This is due to the fact that it contains phytoestrogens, a natural analogue of female hormones. Is it really?
Can men drink mint tea? The substances that make up mint can negatively affect men's health. A large amount of phytoestrogens in a man's body leads to hormonal disturbances and a decrease in libido. However, for negative changes, it is necessary to absorb the leaves of this plant in huge quantities daily. Dosed use of mint tea will only improve the well-being of a man and will not in any way affect his male strength.
Benefits of mint tea for women. Both men and women are encouraged to consume mint leaf tea in moderation. It has a beneficial effect on well-being, reduces stress. Thanks to the substances contained in it, a woman can look young and attractive for longer. A cup of mint tea is recommended to reduce menstrual pain.
Can pregnant women drink mint tea? While waiting for a child, a woman should be more careful with taking any medications. Many of them can negatively affect the health of the expectant mother or child. In the early stages, it is not recommended to consume mint tea.
The drink contains natural estrogen hormones that tone the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth. However, tea can bring undeniable benefits to the body, so you should consult your doctor about its use.
If the pregnancy proceeds without problems, then mint is recommended for nausea or heartburn caused by toxicosis. It is not recommended for a woman to drink more than 3 cups a day. In this case, it is important to consult with your doctor about taking a drink, since each case is individual.
Can peppermint tea be breastfeeding? An important period for the formation of the child's future health is considered not only pregnancy, but also lactation. Through breast milk, the newborn receives valuable substances and vitamins. On the one hand, there are no strict contraindications for taking the mother's mint drink during this period. On the other hand, the substances that make up it are highly active.
Peppermint tea can cause allergic reactions, including redness, itching, and burning. Symptoms can appear not only in a woman, but also in a baby. If, after a drink, the child or mother feels worse, then you should consult a specialist in order to eliminate the risk of allergy to the substances that make up it.
Can children be given mint tea? It is recommended to brew mint tea for babies only after 5 years. This is due to the fact that up to this age children have poorly formed immunity and allergic reactions often occur. Peppermint and the substances that make up it can cause negative manifestations. The active components of the medicinal plant are often poorly tolerated in childhood.
Is mint tea good for bed? Experts often recommend drinking mint tea in the evenings. This is due to the calming effect of the medicinal plant on the human body.
Among the useful properties of the drink are noted:
- Relaxing effect;
- Reducing anxiety, tension;
- Sedative properties of the plant.
If you plan to drink mint tea shortly before bedtime, it is recommended to brew it without tea and other active additives. The only thing that can make a good addition is hot milk or some honey.
Mint has long been used in folk medicine and is considered one of the most effective medicinal herbs. This is due to the healing properties of its components. But at the same time, there are also contraindications to using the plant as an additive in tea.
The peculiarity of mint is that its taste is harmoniously combined with many others. Thanks to this, tea can be diversified with additional ingredients suitable for every taste.
How often can you drink mint tea? Both men and women should consume mint in reasonable doses. The stronger sex is not advised to have more than 2 cups a day. For women, the daily amount of tea should be no more than 4 cups.
