Reaching for a cup of refreshing and soothing peppermint tea is an excellent remedy for when you are feeling congested or suffering from digestive issues. Peppermint is an ingredient in various modern products, such as toothpaste, sweets, and teas. If you want to stock up on the best peppermint tea, we have rounded up the best tea bags and loose-leaf teas to nourish you from the inside out.
Peppermint tea and the natural compounds found in the leaves can benefit your health in many ways. Not only is peppermint tea a delicious, naturally sweet, caffeine-free hot drink that can be consumed at any time of day, but as these teas have peppermint extract, it can immediately calm a person down.
It can also have significant soothing effects on colds, coughs, and other digestive or abdominal issues that might be uncomfortable for an individual.
Why was peppermint tea used throughout history?
Since the Ancient Egyptians, peppermint tea has become a popular remedy for indigestion. In fact, the first record of dried peppermint leaves was found in some pyramids in Egypt. Other than the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans also ingested dried peppermint leaves and used them as stomach soothers.
It was used to clear nausea and vomiting due to its soothing effects on the stomach. This is all thanks to peppermint's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
What are the main health benefits of peppermint tea?
Helps with bloating and digesting: One of the most well-known benefits of peppermint tea is its digestive effects. Peppermint may relieve digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating, and indigestion. Animal studies indicate that peppermint soothes your digestive system and may ease the pain. It can also prevent smooth muscles from contracting, which could relieve spasms in your gut.
Aids 'hot' colds: From the viewpoint of Traditional Chinese Medicine, mint is known for its cooling properties. Mint tea is the perfect remedy for what is known as a 'hot cold' or 'wind-heat'. This is when you feel more feverish and warm and have a sore throat. Peppermint is cooling and can help to remove heat from the throat, eyes, and head. It has also been known to expel heat rashes.
It may help relieve menstrual cramps: Because peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant, tea may alleviate menstrual cramps and has comforting effects.
Good beverage before sleeping: As it is caffeine-free, peppermint tea is an excellent drink to have before bed and may help you relax. Pure peppermint tea is caffeine-free, but if you buy a blend of peppermint tea with either black tea or green tea, then this will contain caffeine and is best consumed earlier in the day.
It gives you a fresh breath: Peppermint is widely used in chewing gum, mints and toothpaste to freshen breath, and thanks to its natural antibacterial properties, it may help to prevent bad breath.
Can help with a blocked nose: While drinking peppermint tea may not get rid of the cold itself, the menthol smell of the mint, together with the steam from the tea, may help improve nasal airflow if you have a blocked nose. As peppermint has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, peppermint tea may relieve clogged sinuses due to infections, the common cold, and allergies.
Best peppermint tea
Best peppermint tea multipack
Formulated with refreshing spearmint, peppermint and field mint, this tea is a perfect after-dinner soothing drink and has a sweet and delicately aromatic taste. Each compostable tea bag contains essential oils and the highest quality organic ingredients, specifically sourced for their soothing and settling properties.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Spirit & Destiny, "Cooling, refreshing and tingly. You really feel the punch from the three-mint blend. It offers a lovely refreshing taste but also feels warming."
Pros
- Three mint infusion
- Good value
Cons
- Tea bags contain micro-plastic
Best supermarket brand peppermint tea
www.sainsburys.co.uk
Enjoy a hot brew before bed, when you have a bad stomach or when you have hot flushes with this cooling tea.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Spirit & Destiny, "Pricing under £1, this tea, despite its low price, is beautifully fragrant, sweet and minty. This peppermint tea is my favourite of all the supermarket brands I have tried."
Pros
- Budget option
- Strong flavour
Cons
- Made from filter paper and food-grade plastic
Best peppermint tea for bloating
Made from ingredients like peppermint, liquorice and fennel that are known to be great for soothing and aiding in digestion. This peppermint tea blend is excellent for those that suffer from bloat, IBS, menstrual cramps and digestive issues.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Spirit & Destiny, "Pricing under £1, this tea, despite its low price, is beautifully fragrant, sweet and minty. Of all the supermarket brands I have tried, this peppermint tea is my favourite."
Pros
- Infusion perfect for bloat and tummy aches
- Bags made from silk
Cons
- If you do not like an anise or liquorice flavour, this is not for you
Best micro-plastic free peppermint tea bags
www.waitrose.com
If you are looking for a package and tea bags made from no plastic, these tea bags and boxes are recyclable or compostable, which is perfect for the environmentally conscious. The original tea is of whole leaves with a mint herbal infusion, which does not over-power the taste but aids with digestion.
Customer review: "The flavour is really good, and the bags don’t deposit dust in the bottom of my cup like some cheaper options tend to do."
Pros
- A good sustainable option
- Strong flavour
Cons
- On the pricier side
Best loose-leaf peppermint tea
This peppermint tisane has a robust and uplifting mint profile that’s lovely, fresh, and sweet. The golden-green infusion has a sensationally minty, sweet, smooth taste.
Customer review: "Favourite peppermint brand. Bit expensive but overall worth it. Would recommend."
Pros
- Low waste
- Perfect for loose-leaf drinkers
Cons
- Not as convenient
Best peppermint tea for digestion
uk.iherb.com
Blended with its milder herbal cousins, spearmint and lemon balm, and a probiotic for digestive health, this tea infuses a delicious dose of wellness into your day.
Customer review: "These do seem to have probiotics in them! As interesting as it may sound considering, most good bacteria (probiotics) can only stay alive under real cold temperatures, while some don't require any refrigeration at all. I'm not sure how they do it, but it's working! It's the first time I'm making hot tea out of these! The two ingredient makes a great pairing because Peppermint helps combat the bad bacterias, enhancing overall effectiveness."
Pros
- This blend is excellent for digestion
- High-quality ingredients
Cons
- On the pricier side
Best peppermint tea bags with a tin
www.fortnumandmason.com
This beautifully presented tin filled with silk peppermint tea bags is made from English mint specially grown for Fortnum’s on the Malshanger Estate in Hampshire.
Pros
- Great for gifting
- Silk tea bags
Cons
- Expensive
Peppermint leaves vs other mint tea types
When it comes to mint, there are a few types to know about.
Peppermint – This has a bright, strong menthol flavour; it is sweet but mostly refreshing.
Spearmint – less menthol in taste and has a smoother and sweeter flavour.
Wild mint – the flavour depends on the type. Water mint, for example, has a softer flavour, and chocolate mint (yes, this is a real plant) can sometimes give a chocolate-like aroma.
Although they’re very similar, peppermint has a more distinct menthol flavour and different health benefits, so make sure you always read the label to work out which mint tea you are buying.
FAQs
How long does it take to work?
Peppermint tea can help with digestion within an hour of drinking a strong cup of it. Other health benefits like settling your stomach and freshening your breath may happen immediately after drinking it.
What is a good peppermint tea?
A good peppermint tea contains high-quality peppermint leaves, preferably organic ones. It shouldn’t have any additional flavouring, and it won’t need any other ingredients like anise or liquorice. It should also be fresh and before the best-before date.
Ellen Kinsey is a senior health and wellness product writer for Spirit & Destiny, specialising in natural health and beauty and self-development. She lives and breathes all things spirituality, travel, holistic health and wellness.