Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is considered to be one of the more beneficial natural remedies for many stomach ailments. Its soothing nature helps to alleviate the discomfort of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, and even colic in babies. Peppermint tea is made from the herb mentha pipertia, or peppermint. It is easily made from a readily obtainable extract available in any supermarket, fresh peppermint, or pre-made packages.

This healing tea is also delicious to drink and has a wonderfully strong mint aroma. Some feel the strong menthol flavor helps with breathing problems associated with colds, flues, and even some allergies. For people suffering from bad breath drinking peppermint tea can help to eliminate their halitosis. This tea can also be blended with spearmint for an even more invigorating taste and is called ‘doublemint’ tea.

Peppermint tea is naturally caffeine free although some packaged teas are combined with caffeine laced black teas for those who want that added boost from caffeine. The soothing nature of peppermint tea is also used to help alleviate stress and many people use it simply to relax after a strenuous day. There is a lot to back up their feelings of relaxation as peppermint acts as a muscle relaxer, most especially in the gastrointestinal tract.

There is one side effect commonly associated with peppermint tea and that is the naturally relaxing effect it has on the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract which is what makes it so beneficial to many stomach disorders can actually aggravate those that have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

How to make Peppermint Tea:

Packaged peppermint tea, or tea made from the natural oil extracts of the peppermint plant are easy to make and the ingredients are easy to find in most stores, but making it from the actual plant itself gives a satisfying holistic experience amplified by the fact that using the plant itself will often give a much stronger peppermint experience.

Peppermint is a commonly found herb and is easily grown in any backyard herb garden, or even a small planter box on an apartment windowsill. Having your very own supply of constantly growing peppermint can not only give you the pleasure of making your peppermint tea from scratch, but the pleasant aroma of the plant as it grows. Depending on your area the growth of the plant may be seasonal and you will need to get your peppermint tea from the stores at those times, but in the summer months you can easily grow this plant yourself.

Select a few well-formed leaves from your plant and lay them out in direct sunlight to dry. It helps to tear up the leaves and dry them completely, then when crumpled easily drop two to three teaspoons full into a pot of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for about 20 minutes and then pour through a strainer into a cup with a freshly torn leaf and sit back and enjoy the relaxing experience of a fresh made cup of peppermint tea.