Peppermint Tea for Bloating and Gas: Benefits, Side Effects and How Many Cups Per Day?

The effects of peppermint tea are lighter and gentler than peppermint oil capsules. The tea is very refreshing, doesn’t need to be sweetened and has a real ‘pick me up’ effect whenever you drink it.

More importantly, peppermint tea can be very beneficial for your digestive system and help alleviate problems like bloating, stomach gas and flatulence.

Peppermint has relaxant and antispasmodic properties that relieve cramps and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct and gallbladder.

This improves the passage of both food and swallowed air through the digestive tract, allowing them to pass without pain or discomfort.

The volatile oils in peppermint also stimulate the gallbladder to release bile that your body uses to digest fats.

The flow of bile to the liver is also increased by the compounds in peppermint tea and moderate intake has a detoxifying effect.

Personally, I find a cup of warm peppermint tea around fifteen minutes before food really seems to help prevent problems later on, particularly if I’m having a large or less than healthy meal.

Best Peppermint Tea for Bloating and Digestive Problems

When looking for a good peppermint tea you want to find one with the peppermint leaf cut thickly. This avoids losing too many of the important oils in processing.

The peppermint should be grown organically and available in unbleached and chlorine-free teabags for the healthiest option.

Searching peppermint tea brands I kept coming across recommendations for Heather’s Tummy Teas. Their peppermint tea is specifically grown for high volatile oil content and is considered medicinal strength.

It works really well for bloating, gas and occasional stomach cramps, and is often even effective for people with IBS and other serious digestion problems.

Customer praise this brand with quotes like: “only thing that I have found that works”, “best remedy for IBS pain” and “a complete life saver for me”.

Side Effects and Precautions

Peppermint has an effect on digestion and other physiological processes. For most people this effect is positive, but, as with any herbal supplement, it makes sense to be aware of how you respond to it personally.

Peppermint tea taken around the same time as certain prescriptions may interfere with their absorption, so be conscious of this, drink it away from any you take and consult a GP if you have concerns.

Some research suggests high doses may also interfere with iron absorption if taken at the same time as iron containing foods or supplements. If you are worried about not getting enough iron in your diet then take the tea or peppermint oil half an hour before a meal rather than with it.

Strong peppermint tea or oil is not generally recommended for pregnant women, very young children or people with circulatory conditions, ulcers or problems with acid reflux and heartburn. Again talk to your GP if in doubt.

There have been a few studies, mainly on rats, that suggest drinking large amounts of peppermint tea may lower testosterone levels. The amounts would need to be relatively excessive, but it still makes sense for men concerned about this to enjoy the tea in moderation.

How Many Cups of Peppermint Tea a Day?

A cup or two a day is probably enough to get the digestive benefits of peppermint tea without going overboard.

As with most herbs and supplements, be aware of how they are making you feel, particularly around an hour or two after taking them. It’s also a good idea to take a week off any herb or supplement from time to time.

The beneficial effects of peppermint tea are enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It’s a delicious, caffeine-free pick me up that aids digestion, helps relieve stomach gas and bloating, and prevents flatulence.

Have you tried peppermint tea for bloating and stomach cramps before? I’d be interested to hear how it worked for you personally.

If you’ve never tried it I’d really recommend giving it a go, not just for the beneficial effects but for the refreshing taste of peppermint tea as well.