Mint is a widely used herb and has varied health benefits when consumed through tea or in aromatherapy. Peppermint oil has a calming effect, which combined with its mild antibacterial and antiviral powers, makes it useful for treating a variety of health conditions. It has many benefits in treating indigestion, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome and shows promise for treating other conditions, including bad breath, congestion and nausea.
But excessive use of peppermint tea, peppermint oil or the herb can cause some side-effects. So check for these symptoms before using peppermint as a herbal remedy.
Side Effects Of Peppermint
-Drinking excessive peppermint tea can cause skin irritation, flushing (reddening of the skin), headache, irritated mucous membrane and heartburn.
-Menthol, one of the active chemicals in peppermint tea, and can cause throat closure in small children and adults.
-Applying peppermint oil on a child’s face can lead to severe breathing problems.
-Some individuals who take capsules of peppermint may experience allergic reactions like throat closing, skin irritations like inflammation, hives or rashes or breathing problems.
Who Must Not Consume Peppermint?
-Food products containing mint should not be consumed by asthmatics as it aggravates breathing problems.
-Women who are pregnant or nursing a baby should strictly avoid consumption of mint tea.
-Drinking mint tea during pregnancy may lead to a miscarriage as it may stimulate uterine blood flow.
-Peppermint oil should not be used in patients with gastric reflux or active stomach ulcers.
-Peppermint oil may influence the metabolism of certain drugs (including felodipine and simvastatin), and increases adverse reactions.
-If you have a blockage of the gallbladder or bile ducts, gallbladder inflammation, gallstones, or liver damage, consult a doctor before taking peppermint or its supplements.
-People with diabetes should avoid drinking peppermint tea as it may lower blood sugar levels.
-If you have high blood pressure and taking medications, peppermint tea may lower increase the effects of herbal remedies or prescription medications for lowering blood pressure.
-Individuals suffering from achlorhydria condition must avoid the use of enteric-coated peppermint. The enteric coating of peppermint may dissolve early inside the digestive system.
