Have you ever taken mint tea for nausea relief? Given below is some information on the health benefits of mint tea along with the side effects.
Nausea refers to the feeling of uneasiness that one experiences prior to vomiting. Nausea is not a disease in itself, but it may be indicative of a wide range of disorders. Motion sickness, stomach infections, gallbladder disease, overeating and food poisoning are some of the most common causes of nausea. The discomforting nauseated feeling, which is also referred to as morning sickness, is a common feature during the early stages of pregnancy. Nausea may not always be accompanied by vomiting, but if one suffers from frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting, one could even get dehydrated. Those who suffer from recurring episodes of nausea and vomiting, must consult a doctor soon.
Once the underlying cause of nausea is ascertained, and the condition responsible for causing nausea is treated, the nauseated feeling will surely go away. Many a time, overeating or consuming foods that don’t agree with your system, can also cause a queasy stomach. Under such circumstances, the wise thing to do would be to change your dietary habits. One can also try certain herbal remedies for the treatment of nausea. You might have heard about people drinking mint tea for nausea relief. Let’s find out how does mint tea help in treating nausea.
Herbal Mint Tea for Treating Nausea
For making peppermint tea, all you need to do is pour a cup of boiling water over a quarter cup of mint leaves. If you are using dried mint leaves, you need to put two teaspoons of dried mint leaves to a cup of hot water. Cover the pot so that the volatile oils stay within the herbal infusion. Let it steep for about five minutes and strain it. One can either have a steaming cup of herbal tea or have a refreshing iced mint tea for a cooling effect.
For making iced mint tea, you will need to cool the mint tea and refrigerate it for an hour. One can also squeeze in a little lemon juice and a little honey to add flavor to the mint tea. It would be best to take mint tea on an empty stomach.
For ages, people have been using peppermint for treating a queasy stomach. Mint tea is a great herbal remedy for nausea, stomach cramps, gas, stomach ache, feeling of fullness or any other symptoms caused due to indigestion. Wondering how does a herbal infusion made from fresh or dried peppermint help in treating nausea and intestinal cramping?
Well, the medicinal or therapeutic properties of mint are attributed to the presence of menthol in its essential oil. Menthol has a calming effect on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. One can also drink herbal mint tea after vomiting. This will help in settling the stomach and also get rid of nausea. Peppermint helps in relaxing the gastro-esophageal sphincter muscle, which is the muscle that prevents the back flow of gastric contents towards the esophagus. It also helps the gas trapped within the stomach to be relieved through belching.
Health Benefits of Mint Tea
As mentioned earlier, herbal infusion made from mint can help in alleviating a variety of distressing symptoms caused due to an upset stomach. People suffering from digestive health problems such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and gallstone may benefit from drinking mint tea. Since peppermint is a carminative or a gas-relieving herb, it has been used for treating flatulence and bloating for ages. Mint tea is often recommended for pregnant women. This is due to its ability to alleviate morning sickness. Mint is also believed to be a blood purifier.
Due to the presence of many nutrients in mint, it can strengthen the immune system and thus, has a positive impact on one’s overall physical health. It has a refreshing fragrance and can help in getting rid of bad breath. Since it relaxes the muscles, women suffering from cramps during periods may benefit by drinking mint tea. Mint is also known for its positive effects on the respiratory system. It helps in soothing the irritated respiratory tract, and may also help one recover from head cold, nasal allergies and flu.
Side Effects of Mint Tea
If the nauseated feeling is too much to bear, you can either take mint capsules or drink mint tea. Though the benefits of mint tea are numerous, one must have it in moderation. Side effects of herbal mint tea are rare, but those who are allergic to menthol, must refrain from drinking mint tea. An overdose may cause uterine relaxation in pregnant women, thus, they must consult a doctor regarding the number of cups they can have daily. People suffering from acid reflux disease must not drink mint tea.
An excessive intake of mint tea can cause relaxation of esophageal sphincter, which in turn, may cause stomach acid or gastric contents to flow back towards the esophagus. So, if you have been frequently suffering from burning sensation in chest, cut down on the intake of mint tea.
If you are planning to drink mint tea, consult a herbalist regarding the dosage. Excess of anything is bad, and herbal infusions are not an exception. Though mint tea is very effective in treating bloating, stomach cramps, nausea or other discomforting symptoms of an upset stomach, gulping down too many cups could have an adverse effect.
