Can Spearmint Tea Affect Your Period? What You Should Know
That time of the month is fast approaching, and you know what that means—cramps, bloating, and general discomfort. Instead of popping pain pills again, what if there was a natural solution that could ease period symptoms? Enter spearmint tea.
Spearmint is an aromatic mint variety with a sweet, refreshing taste. It’s usually added to salads, meat, poultry, and rice dishes to add a vibrant aroma, and the small leaves can also be added to some desserts for enhanced freshness.
But can spearmint tea affect your period? Does it alleviate your symptoms?
Let’s find out.
Can Spearmint Tea Affect Your Period?
The Mentha spicata is a plant from the mint family, but it contains less menthol, so it’s slightly sweeter and has a more subtle flavor.
To brew spearmint tea, simply steep dried spearmint leaves in hot but not boiling water for five to seven minutes before straining and drinking. (Before you brew, make sure your teapot is completely clean and free of mold.)
You can also find pre-made spearmint tea bags for convenience. The question here, though, can spearmint tea affect your period and improve your monthly discomfort symptoms?
In short, yes, it can.
For centuries, women have sought natural remedies to ease menstruation pain. Among these options, spearmint tea has emerged as a popular choice for its potential to alleviate various period-related symptoms.
Here are the benefits of spearmint tea:
1. Ease Cramps
When it’s time for your period, your uterus starts contracting to expel its lining. These contractions are caused by the production of prostaglandins in the body.
Spearmint boasts antispasmodic properties, relaxing the muscles in your uterus and reducing menstrual cramps.
Active compounds, like menthol, act as natural muscle relaxants, offering relief from the pain and discomfort associated with periods.
2. Heavier Flow With No Clots
For some women, spearmint promotes heavier menstrual flow, which helps expel the uterine lining faster.
Your body needs to expel this lining, or it might become too thick in your uterus. The accumulation of the abnormal cells increases the risk of cancer.
However, spearmint prevents clotting and cramping that often accompanies heavy bleeding. This makes periods shorter, lighter, and smoother.
3. Balance Hormones
Spearmint contains natural anti-androgenic properties, potentially helping to regulate androgen levels in the body.
This can be particularly beneficial for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by excess androgen production.
Treating hormonal imbalances leads to improved menstrual regularity and a reduction in symptoms like excessive unwanted hair growth and acne caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
The phytoestrogens and flavanones in spearmint act similarly to female hormones in the body, helping regulate hormonal fluctuations that lead to period symptoms.
This hormonal-balancing effect also makes spearmint tea beneficial for endometriosis.
4. Calm Inflammation
Inflammation caused by pathogens like bacteria or fungi often contributes to pain and bloating during periods.
Spearmint’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation in the body, easing discomfort and bloating.
This can also positively impact women with conditions like endometriosis, where inflammation plays a significant role.
5. Tame Tummy Troubles
Period pain often extends beyond cramps, with gas and bloating adding to the discomfort.
Spearmint aids in relieving gas and bloating, offering a natural solution to these stomach issues commonly experienced during menstruation.
6. Reduce Breakouts
When estrogen and progesterone levels drop, your sebaceous glands produce more sebum. The hormones also increase the sensitivity of your skin, so you become more prone to acne breakouts.
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds in spearmint tea may help treat and prevent pesky breakouts without drying out the skin.
7. Deflate Puffiness
Water retention and swelling are frequent complaints during periods. These symptoms are usually caused by hormonal fluctuations and dietary changes due to unhealthy cravings.
Spearmint acts as a natural diuretic, promoting healthy fluid balance and potentially reducing swelling and water retention.
8. Easy Onset of Menopause
As you near menopause, spearmint tea’s hormone-regulating properties can help ease the transition and uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping.
It helps with follicle-stimulating hormone imbalance, and its diuretic effect also reduces bloating and swelling.
9. Reduce Stress
Dealing with anxiety and stress could be a sign of premenstrual syndrome or PMS. The fresh, minty aroma of spearmint is known to have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Inhaling this scent while you’re sipping on the tea can trigger the release of calming neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, contributing to a sense of peace and well-being.
What Are the Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Spearmint Tea?
The benefits of drinking spearmint tea are scientifically proven, but consuming too much tea isn’t healthy. Most medical professionals recommend no more than two cups of spearmint tea per day because of the following side effects:
1. Decreased Libido
A healthy level of testosterone controls sexual desire in men and women, and drinking too much spearmint tea can mess up this hormone’s level.
This can also affect your muscle mass, and increase the risk of obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
The side effects might be doubled if you consume other foods and drinks that reduce the testosterone levels in the body.
2. Digestive Issues
Although this tea can relieve boating, its diuretic effects can lead to increased fluid loss, which causes diarrhea.
Moreover, spearmint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which leads to heartburn and acid reflux, especially in individuals already prone to such issues.
3. Lower Blood Pressure
Spearmint contains a chemical compound that acts like blood pressure-lowering medications. So, if you already have low blood pressure, drinking too much spearmint tea can make you feel dizzy and uncomfortable.
If you’re already being treated for a cardiovascular issue, you should consult your doctor before drinking this tea.
4. Kidney and Liver Concerns
Spearmint tea should be avoided if you suffer from kidney and liver damage. This tea can actually worsen your health issues.
Wrapping Up
Spearmint tea is a refreshing and healthy drink that you can consume to ease the symptoms of period pain.
Research suggests that drinking one or two cups per day can improve the physical and emotional discomfort that you might experience before and during your menstrual cycle, highlighting how spearmint tea can affect your period in a positive way.
However, it’s important not to overconsume, as excessive intake can have serious side effects.
If you’re on certain medications, consult your doctor before adding spearmint tea to your routine, as it can interact with medications and potentially worsen health issues.
