Peppermint Tea With Honey: Cool, Sweet and Soothing
Peppermint tea with honey is a refreshing pairing: cool menthol from the mint meets warm, round sweetness from the honey. Many people drink it after meals or when they feel stuffy. Peppermint oil has been studied for irritable bowel syndrome, but tea is milder and less studied. This article explains how to brew peppermint tea with honey, what research says about peppermint, who should be cautious, and how to enjoy it hot or iced. For other herbal options, see chamomile tea with honey.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What peppermint tea is
Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. Its leaves contain menthol, which creates the cooling sensation, and other aromatic oils. Peppermint tea is made by steeping fresh or dried leaves in hot water.
Like most herbal teas, it is naturally caffeine-free.
What research says about peppermint
The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules may help relieve IBS symptoms. Evidence for other uses is limited.
A review of peppermint tea found few human studies of the tea itself, though lab and animal research suggests possible effects. Tea contains far less oil than capsules.
How to brew peppermint tea with honey
Use one teaspoon of dried leaves, a handful of fresh leaves or one tea bag per cup. Pour freshly boiled water over the leaves, cover, and steep for five to seven minutes. Strain and let cool slightly before stirring in a teaspoon of honey.
Covering the cup keeps the volatile mint oils in your drink instead of the air.
- 1 teaspoon dried leaves or a handful fresh
- Freshly boiled water
- Cover and steep 5 to 7 minutes
- Cool slightly
- Add 1 teaspoon honey
Peppermint tea with honey and heartburn
Peppermint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps stomach acid down. For people with acid reflux, this may make heartburn worse. If peppermint tea triggers symptoms, switch to ginger or chamomile.
Our article on honey for acid reflux covers reflux and honey.
Peppermint tea with honey for a stuffy nose
Many people find the menthol aroma of peppermint pleasant when congested. The steam from a hot cup may help loosen mucus a little. Menthol creates a feeling of easier breathing even if airflow does not change much.
Honey may help soothe coughs in people over one year old. Our article on honey for sinus explains what helps congestion.
Choosing a honey
Peppermint's strong flavor pairs with many honeys. Clover and wildflower are easy choices. Orange blossom adds a citrusy note. A little buckwheat can make a bold winter mint tea.
| Honey | With peppermint |
|---|---|
| Clover | Clean and balanced |
| Wildflower | Rounded and floral |
| Orange blossom | Mint and citrus |
| Buckwheat | Bold and malty |
Iced peppermint tea with honey
Brew a strong pot, stir in honey while warm so it dissolves, then chill. Serve over ice with lemon slices. It makes a refreshing caffeine-free alternative to soda. Our article on honey iced tea has more ideas.
Growing your own mint
Mint grows easily in pots and spreads quickly in gardens. Fresh leaves make a bright, sweet tea. Pick leaves in the morning for the best aroma, and keep the plant in a container to stop it taking over.
Safety notes
Peppermint tea is safe for most adults. Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face or chest of babies and young children, since menthol can affect breathing. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
People with gallbladder problems or on certain medicines should ask a doctor before using peppermint oil supplements.
After dinner tea
A cup of peppermint tea with honey after a meal is a pleasant habit for many people. If you have reflux, though, try it earlier in the evening or choose another herb.
How much honey
A teaspoon is plenty. Fresh peppermint already tastes slightly sweet, so you may need less honey than with black or green tea.
Peppermint and spearmint
Spearmint is milder and sweeter than peppermint, with less menthol. It may be gentler for people who find peppermint too strong or who get heartburn from it.
The takeaway
Peppermint tea with honey is a cool, refreshing drink that many people enjoy after meals and during colds. Watch for heartburn, keep honey modest and enjoy it hot or iced.
Peppermint tea with honey in history
Mint has been used in drinks for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt to Greece and Rome. Moroccan mint tea, made with green tea, spearmint and plenty of sugar, is a famous ritual of hospitality. Swapping some of the sugar for honey gives a softer, floral version that many people enjoy.
Peppermint tea with honey and lemon
A slice of lemon and a teaspoon of honey make peppermint tea bright and refreshing. If citrus bothers your stomach, try a few slices of fresh ginger instead for warmth without acidity.
Honey for your mint tea
Al Safa's raw honeys are never heated above hive temperature, so their aromas hold up next to bright mint.
Browse our honeys in the shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety · NCCIH (National Institutes of Health)
- A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.) · PubMed
- Honey (drugs and supplements) · Mayo Clinic
Frequently asked questions
- Is peppermint tea with honey good for digestion?
- Peppermint oil capsules may help IBS. Tea has less research but many find it pleasant after meals.
- Can peppermint tea cause heartburn?
- Yes, it can relax the valve that keeps acid down.
- How long should peppermint tea steep?
- Five to seven minutes, covered.
- Does peppermint tea with honey help a cold?
- It may feel soothing, and honey may ease coughs, but it does not cure a cold.
- Is peppermint tea caffeine-free?
- Yes.
- Which honey goes with peppermint?
- Clover, wildflower or orange blossom all work well.
- Can kids drink peppermint tea with honey?
- Children over 12 months can have weak tea with a little honey. Never babies.
- Can I use fresh mint for peppermint tea with honey?
- Yes. Use a generous handful of fresh leaves per cup and steep covered for five to seven minutes.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.