6 Amazing Health Benefits Of Spearmint Tea

If the fresh, cooling flavor of spearmint tea is something you savor, there’s plenty of reason to continue enjoying it! Spearmint or Mentha spicata is used in traditional medicine for its many therapeutic properties. And thanks to its excellent phenolic content and antioxidant activity from elements such as carvone, limonene, and rosmarinic acid, this potent caffeine-free brew has many impressive health benefits lined up for you.

# Fights Bacterial Infection And Boosts Immunity

If you tend to fall sick often, a cup of spearmint tea is just what you need to fortify your immune system and fight bacterial attacks. Lab studies show that spearmint tea has strong antibacterial properties and can counter common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria are implicated in a wide range of illnesses from skin infections to urinary tract, digestive, and respiratory problems. The researchers attributed this effect of spearmint to its rich content of phytochemicals and minerals, which can arrest the growth and metabolism of these pathogens and help destroy them.

# Helps Manage PCOS And Eases Symptoms

When you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your adrenal glands and ovaries produce more male hormones (androgens) than is normal, leading to a hormonal imbalance. Spearmint tea fights PCOS on several levels:

- It has significant anti-androgenic effects, helping reduce the level of free testosterone in the body. The tea may also be able to help balance hormones by recalibrating levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol.

- Thanks to its antioxidant benefits, spearmint can also fight oxidative stress, which is associated with conditions like obesity and insulin resistance often seen in PCOS.

# Fights Inflammatory Conditions Like Osteoarthritis

Spearmint tea has anti-inflammatory properties which help fight inflammation and ease symptoms linked to osteoarthritis. In one study, subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee were given high-rosmarinic acid (rosA) spearmint tea twice a day for 16 weeks. This significantly helped reduce stiffness and pain in the subjects. Their mobility and physical function also improved.

# Tackles Digestive Problems

If digestive problems are making you miserable, try having a cup of spearmint tea. The anti-inflammatory components of spearmint tea can help relieve gastrointestinal issues ranging from flatulence and stomach cramps to colic, stomach ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome. Research shows that spearmint can also inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, considered to be the most common cause of problems like chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers.10 Spearmint is antispasmodic as well, reducing painful stomach cramps by relaxing the muscles of the stomach and intestines.

# Prevents Bad Breath And Gum Disease

If bad breath has been bothering you, spearmint tea may have some answers. The most common cause of bad breath is the production of odoriferous sulfides and amines. The strong antibacterial properties of spearmint help fight bacteria that cause bad breath and prevent halitosis. It can work toward controlling gum disease as well, which is often caused by bacteria. No wonder then that spearmint is a key ingredient in several oral care products. Apart from incorporating spearmint tea in your daily diet, use it as a mouthwash to keep dental problems in check.

# Fends Off Fungal Infections

Spearmint has strong antifungal properties which can help fight ringworm infections like athlete’s foot and yeast infections. In animal studies, spearmint essential oil has been seen to exhibit anti-fungal properties against pathogenic fungi such as Malassezia furfur, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichisporon beigelii. While spearmint essential oil may be most potent here, washing the area with a strong spearmint tea can also help.