Peppermint Tea Side Effects

Peppermint tea enjoys a great reputation for its healing properties for many illnesses as well as stress and a topical skin relief for rashes. It has been shown to improve such ailments as irritable bowel syndrome, cramps, and other stomach problems including infant colic. It is also soothing for cases of stress and fatigue, and has been shown to help boost the immune system.

Peppermint tea is easy to find in commercially prepared packages, or made from scratch from fresh peppermint herbs. This amazingly little herb is well-known for its ability to solve many problems from bad breath to indigestion.

These benefits, while many, are not without some precautions. Using peppermint tea in conjunction with certain circumstances can have some harmful side effects ranging from mildly unpleasant to more severe ramifications.

Many experts agree that peppermint tea should be avoided in the following instances:

In the case of GERD, a gastrointestinal disease that causes acid from the stomach to rise up into the esophagus peppermint tea can cause a worsened condition. Due to its relaxing properties it can cause the sphincter muscle of the stomach and esophagus to relax more and allow for more of an acid reflux. While the relaxing benefits of peppermint can soothe the stomach, in this instance that is not outweighed by the fact that the illness itself is aggravated for the same relaxing reasons.
Pregnant women should avoid the over use of peppermint tea as its relaxing properties can cause uterine relaxation in extreme cases. If there is any history of miscarriages peppermint tea should be avoided completely. While it is not known for sure if peppermint increases the rate of miscarriage the fact that it does relax the muscles so well makes it an un-necessary risk.

Even though peppermint is a natural herb and relatively harmless, there can be instances where it may react with other over the counter or prescription medicines. Always consult your physician when beginning a new medication to find out what possible interferences there may be with other foods, or herbal additives.

In some rare cases using peppermint oil by itself on a topical skin rash can cause muscle tremors, and or a reduced heart rate. Always remember that pure menthol can be poisonous and overdose is possible especially if using undiluted oil extracts where the menthol potent.

An important note: Do not confuse tinctures (leaves steeped in water as in tea) with pure peppermint oil. However it is always advisable to err on the side of safely and use very small amounts of any form of peppermint in making teas, or other concoctions.

Although rare, in cases of overdose peppermint can cause diarrhea, heart palpitations, and a slowed heart rate. In small children peppermint should be kept away from the face and used in extremely limited amounts as the affects are greatly exaggerated in infants and young children.

Peppermint tea is generally a safe and effective natural product when used with care and diligence. If you use any herbal product and notice the above side effects or any others discontinue the use of the product and seek the advice of your physician.