Proven to help you nod off and sleep for longer, peppermint tea is another great option for a pre-bedtime drink. The essential oils in peppermint tea can help relax your muscles, setting the scene for a peaceful night of sleep.
While peppermint doesn't contain any caffeine or stimulants, it can help to increase alertness, focus, and energy. This makes peppermint a great choice for when you need energy but don't want to consume caffeine, or during the evening when you'd rather not be up all night.
They also provide some pain relief. However, peppermint works better for relieving respiratory and skin symptoms, whereas spearmint can function as an anticonvulsant and helps activate the white blood cells in a person's blood. Peppermint is a stimulant, while spearmint is a sedative.
Mint tea or peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free, which can help you wind down for a good night's sleep without keeping you awake. Mint tea is also amazing for easing an upset stomach and may help relieve allergies and congested sinuses.
Mint Tea for Sleep
loose mint tea leaves has long been used as a natural remedy for insomnia. This is because it contains compounds that have a calming effect on the mind and body. Mint tea can also help to relax the muscles and reduce tension. Drinking a cup of this tea before bed may help you to sleep better.
Remember, the next time you or a child you know is facing a stressful situation, consider that research says peppermint can help! Peppermint candy, tea or oil can be just what you need to find your focus and ease anxiety.
Some of the side effects of excessive peppermint tea consumption include diarrhea, muscle pain, cramping, drowsiness, tremors, and a drop-in heart rate. Many doctors advise people suffering from stomach ulcers to avoid drinking peppermint tea.
Cadillac says you can expect digestive symptoms to improve 30 to 60 minutes after drinking peppermint tea, noting that people with heartburn or GERD may experience worsening of symptoms.
It has a calming and numbing effect, and is often used to treat headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, flatulence, and anxiety associated with depression. It is also an ingredient in chest rubs used to treat symptoms of the common cold.
Mentha piperita is an aromatic herb with analgesic and tranquilizing effects. The analgesic effect of peppermint can be due to its main compounds like Carvone, Limonene, and Menthol. Menthol in peppermint affects Kappa Opioid receptors and soothe the pain in return.
Known as a common muscle relaxer, peppermint has been found to ease tension headaches and relieve stress. By using aromatherapy or even applying peppermint oil directly to your body, you can enjoy the health benefits of this popular mint.
“Peppermint is a stimulant that can have adverse effects on your sleep, as it is known to increase dopamine,” she says. “Dopamine, when released in the brain, promotes wakefulness and alertness. This is the total opposite of your intention before bed and a disruptor of your wind-down routine.”
If you're feeling lethargic, just the smell of peppermint can mentally perk you up. A study from Wheeling Jesuit University has linked peppermint to greater alertness, performance, and motivation by serving as a central nervous system stimulant.
Peppermint works independently of the effects on mood and motivation; therefore, exposure to peppermint aroma functions to improve cognitive function during learning and memory retrieval.
Peppermint has been found to have a soothing effect, acting as a relaxant that helps the mind and body to wind down, so a peppermint tea before bed can really help you to destress and relax.
Peppermint tea is a great natural remedy for reducing stress and anxiety. The menthol in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant. This tea will help you move from being stressed out and anxious to relaxed and calm.
How Many Cups of Peppermint Tea Should You Drink a Day? There isn't an established amount of peppermint tea that's recommended for daily consumption; however, drinking 1-2 cups for general well-being is a good place to start.
Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face of infants or young children because serious side effects may occur if they inhale the menthol in the oil. Little is known about whether it's safe to use peppermint oil during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Unfortunately, peppermint also relaxes the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter), so it can cause gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn. It can worsen reflux symptoms in people with hiatal hernia and — not surprisingly — those with gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Peppermint may interact with certain medications. It should not be taken with cyclosporine, a drug taken by organ transplant patients. It may also reduce the effect of medications metabolized in the liver or drugs that reduce stomach acid.