Peppermint tea can refer to several different types of tea. Sometimes it is a combination of black tea and peppermint leaves or peppermint oil. Other forms of this tea contain only peppermint, a member of the mint family called mentha piperita. Occasionally, some mint tea mixes different mints or adds peppermint oil for additional flavor. Alternately, people may make their own tea at home with few sprigs of peppermint and hot water.

Many people find the aroma of peppermint tea very refreshing. Some believe it is especially comforting during colds, because the mint aroma and hot water can temporarily relieve stuffy noses. There are other medicinal reasons that people may use peppermint tea, though these are not clinically tested for the most part.

In herbal medicine it is believed that peppermint tea may promote relaxation and aid stomach upset. Some people use it to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and it does have some properties as a muscle relaxant. It’s commonly thought these properties may help relax muscles in the intestine and create greater stomach comfort. Additional, yet unproven, benefits of peppermint tea include its potential to dissolve gallstones.

Despite the fact that it may help reduce gas, or calm diarrhea, peppermint tea isn’t necessarily good for all digestive tract ills. People with chronic heartburn or ulcers may irritate these conditions if they drink the tea. This can be further complicated when people use peppermint essential oil in capsules.

With the exception of potential heartburn, few people have trouble with this tea and there are no known interactions with other medications. Children can safely drink it. The only thing to avoid is getting peppermint on the face, especially if using the essential oil because it can irritate skin. With the tea, a drop or two on the face is unlikely to cause this problem.

Those who prepare peppermint leaf tea may note that a small amount of oil or residue gathers on top of the water. People who use this tea medicinally say the presence of oil is excellent because the oil contains the “curative” peppermint properties. To promote greater seepage of the oil from the peppermint leaves, it can help to cover the tea when it is steeping.

The alternative to using peppermint tea medicinally is to use it for its fabulous minty taste. The tea can be combined with fruit juices for a delicious fruit/ tea experience. Peppermint tea, whether or not it is combined with black tea, makes great sun tea and refreshing iced tea. People may also use the tea as a base to mix cocoas to create mint hot chocolate.