If you're an herbal tea drinker, there are a number of reasons to choose peppermint herb tea before you head to bed. Peppermint may provide you with numerous health benefits, but won't keep you up at night. However, peppermint tea isn't for everybody. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends you avoid peppermint tea if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a hiatal hernia.
Caffeine Free
If you love the taste of peppermint tea late at night, you're in luck. While many types of tea contain caffeine that can keep you up at night, peppermint herb tea is caffeine free. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a cup of non-herbal tea generally provides 40 to 50 milligrams of caffeine, but peppermint and other herbal teas don't contain caffeine.
Relieves Gas and Bloating
If you're having problems with flatulence at night, drinking peppermint herb tea may help relieve your symptoms, notes the American Pregnancy Association. The reason peppermint tea may effectively relieve bloating and gas is that peppermint helps relax your muscles, allowing digestive gases to pass more easily, according to the Maryland Medical Center. MedlinePlus notes that peppermint appears to relieve gassiness and stomach pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Reduces Heartburn and Indigestion
If heartburn and indigestion are keeping you up at night, drinking peppermint herbal tea before bed may help reduce your symptoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that peppermint can calm muscles and improve bile flow in your stomach, which allows food to pass through your stomach more quickly. According to MedlinePlus, peppermint appears to help improve symptoms of heartburn -- like acid reflux.
Improves Morning Sickness/Nausea
If you're pregnant and suffer from morning sickness, even at night, peppermint herb tea can help you feel more comfortable, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This may make it easier for you to get a good night's rest, which benefits both you and your unborn baby. The American Pregnancy Association also notes that while some ingredients in herbal teas have questionable safety ratings, peppermint tea is likely safe during pregnancy.
An experienced health, nutrition and fitness writer, Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian and holds a dietetics degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also has worked as a clinical dietitian and health educator in outpatient settings. Erin's work is published on popular health websites, such as TheNest.com and JillianMichaels.com.
