Mint Tea and Health Effects

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Dec 8th, '11, 18:37
Posts: 13
Joined: Nov 27th, '11, 11:34

Mint Tea and Health Effects

by Karl » Dec 8th, '11, 18:37

I'm drinking spearmint tea for the first time now. Whilst drinking I've come across this http://www.healthyfellow.com/290/mint-tea-warning/

Some quotes of interest
In the trial, 42 women with PCOS related hirsutism were assigned to drink spearmint tea or a placebo herbal tea twice daily for 30 days. Blood tests measuring hormone levels were taken at the beginning, the mid way point and at the end of the experiment. The results indicate that the women receiving the spearmint demonstrated significant reductions in free and total testosterone levels and increases in luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations.
It’s interesting to note that a study in male rats found the exact same hormonal shifts that were exhibited in the women with PCOS, namely, a reduction in testosterone. Potentially negative effects on the testicles of the rats were also detected. This testicular disturbance could possibly be important with regard to fertility. (7)
Other experiments have raised red flags with regard to large dosages of mint tea and possible harm to the kidneys and liver (in a rat model). (8,9) Concerns have also been raised about peppermint teas ability to interact with the liver in such a way that it may negatively affect the metabolism of medications. (10) These concerns need to be taken seriously, especially since peppermint tea is one of the most widely consumed herbal beverages among pregnant women. (11,12)
Regardless of effects, I wouldn't order again, because I don't care much for the flavour. I don't like the idea of reduced testosterone.

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Dec 15th, '11, 12:31
Posts: 270
Joined: Sep 23rd, '09, 15:14
Contact: AlexZorach

Re: Mint Tea and Health Effects

by AlexZorach » Dec 15th, '11, 12:31

There are a lot of commonly-consumed herbs that interact with hormones or have other potentially negative effects on health. Some, like licorice, which can raise blood pressure, are potentially much more dangerous than these issues you raise here. Spearmint also has some evidence supporting a variety of positive impacts on health, from aiding iron absorption to having anti-bacterial effects.

I drank a lot of iced spearmint tea when growing up. We'd rarely drink it straight though, instead blending it with other herbs.

I think, like with anything, moderation is the key issue. Just about any herb is going to have some sort of negative effects if you drink it in a large enough quantity over a long enough period of time. If you're healthy overall, and you're eating a diverse diet with lots of different herbs and spices, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I will say though, I'm unlikely to ever buy spearmint because it is so easy to grow in my climate.

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