Fever Reducer: When we think of the sharp, cool effect of menthol, we don’t necessarily think of a hot cup of tea, but peppermint tea has menthol as a main component, so drinking the tea can cause external sweating, while the menthol cools down your body inside. This essentially “breaks” a fever, and can reduce the associated inflammation and discomfort.

Digestive Health: Peppermint oil and peppermint tea have been used for thousands of years to sort out a variety of digestive and gastrointestinal conditions. Archaeological evidence actually shows peppermint being used as far back as 10,000 years ago as a dietary supplement. Peppermint tea is considered a carminative, meaning that it helps to move gas through the body as it accumulates, rather than causing bloating, cramping, and stomach discomfort. The tea also stimulates bile flow to increase the rate and efficiency of digestion and promote healthy bowel movements. 

It is not only a carminative, but also a analgesic, so it reduces the associated pain of cramps, bloating, and indigestion. This is due to its calming effects on the intestines and smooth muscles of the digestive tract. Diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation can all be improved with this tea, as it brings the entire system to more optimal activity levels.

Nausea and Vomiting: When it comes to being sick, few things are as unpleasant as being nauseous or vomiting. Peppermint tea is antispasmodic, so it reduces the chances of vomiting and nausea, even in cases of motion sickness on a boat or a plane. It also reduces the stomachaches and queasiness associated with motion sickness, and its anti-inflammatory qualities can return your stomach to normal.

Respiratory Issues: As an antispasmodic, it can also relieve you of that irritating sensation that makes you want to cough, thereby exacerbating your respiratory condition. By relaxing the muscles of the throat and chest, you can eliminate that aspect of cold and flu symptoms.

Immune System: Peppermint tea has known antibacterial properties, which are the cause of so many illnesses, including fevers, coughs, and colds. Not only can drinking this delicious tea help you treat the symptoms of being ill, it can also prevent your body from getting sick in the first place! There are also trace elements of vitamin B, potassium, antioxidants and calcium, which can help your body uptake nutrients to fight off illness and perform necessary function to keep your body working in a healthy way.

Bad Breath: The strong, mentholated flavor and antibacterial quality of peppermint tea make it an ideal way of improving your breath. The antibacterial element kills the germs that can lead to halitosis, while the menthol overwhelms the foul smell and leaves your breath fresh and clean!

Weight Loss: The aroma of peppermint oil and some of its organic components can actually eliminate the appetite, so smelling this substance can help reduce overeating, and subsequently, obesity!

Stress Levels: The natural sedative and antispasmodic nature of menthol makes it very good at relieving mental stress. The anti-inflammatory nature can reduce blood pressure and body temperature, and allow you to unwind and relax, letting your cares melt away. This is part of the reason why peppermint oil is so popular in aromatherapy, but the effects from peppermint tea are very similar.

A Few Words of Caution: It is a powerful type of tea, and although it does have the wide range of health benefits explained above, there are still some possible side effects. The menthol can act as an allergen to some people, and can cause heartburn in others. Both of the reactions are typically mild, but consulting a doctor about possible allergies is always a good idea. Besides that, grab some peppermint leaves and get brewing!

박하의 주성분은 멘톨, 멘톤, 이소멘톤, 캄펜, 리모넨 등을 함유하고 있습니다.박하의 효능은 해열, 소염, 건위, 담즙분비작용, 호흡기도의 점액분비증가, 모세혈관작용, 중추신경계통의 흥분작용, 자궁수축증가작용, 종기를 낳게 합니다.또한 소화불량, 인후염, 편도서염, 피부가려움증, 복통, 설사, 구토, 두통, 치통, 감기, 부스럼, 목구멍아픈데,눈출혈제거에 사용합니다. 맛은 맵고 서늘합니다.

박하는 다이이어트에도 도움이 되는데 그 이유는 박하의 멘톨향이 식욕을 억제해주는데 도움을 준다고 합니다. 또한 입냄새 제거할때 박하를 먹으면 좋다고 합니다.

북한에서 펴낸 <동의학사전>에서는 박하를 이렇게 기록하고 있습니다.
"여름에 꽃이 필 때 전초를 베어 그늘에서 말린다. 맛은 맵고 성질은 서늘합니다. 폐경, 심포경, 간경에 작용합니다. 풍열을 없애고 통증을 멈추며 발진을 순조롭게 하고 간기를 잘 통하게 합니다. 약리실험에서 피부모세혈관확장작용, 땀샘분비촉진작용, 해열작용, 관상혈관확장작용, 소화선분비촉진작용, 위장윤동운동촉진작용, 진통작용, 이담작용, 억균작용, 소염작용, 방부작용 등이 밝혀졌다. 풍열표증, 풍열감모, 두통, 인후종통, 관상혈관순환장애, 심장부위통증, 위염, 소화장애, 기간지염 등에 쓰입니다. 소양증, 신경통, 후두염 등에 박하기름을 바르기도 합니다. 하루 4~8그램을 달이거나 환을지어 또는 가루내어 먹습니다. 외용약으로 쓸 때는 달인 물로 씻거나 신선한 것을 짓찧어 즙을 내어 바릅니다. 박하를 달일때는 오래달이지 않습니다."