Moringa Mint- An Underrated Brew
We all love the conventional types of teas. Black tea, green tea, and even some herbal teas are pretty popular worldwide. But have you ever tried using Moringa leaves? Honestly speaking, before writing this, I hadn’t either! But these amazing leaves are actually pretty interesting once we look at their health benefits.
An amazing way of incorporating moringa into tea is to combine it with mints. The Moringa Mint does just that. Therefore, spearmint and peppermint come together to complement this green goodness and enhance the experience.
Moringa Leaves come from the Moringa Olifeira, commonly called the drumstick tree. For ages, people around the world have been using these leaves as traditional herbal medicine. This tree grows really fast, and these leaves are very beneficial.
The Moringa Mint tea comprises Moringa leaves, spearmint, and peppermint. Let’s dive deeper into each of them.
Moringa Leaves
Moringa May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the entire world. It is better to prevent it when we have the chance. Moringa is said to have potential therapeutic effects to fight cancer.
In a study conducted in 2011, Moringa oleifera displayed chemopreventive properties. A high dose of (6%) boiled Moringa oleifera caused tumour incidence and multiplicity to decrease.
Due to the presence of compounds called niazimicin and glucomoringin, the inhibition of tumour cell proliferation was observed. The seed extract showed activity against several different cancer cell lines (lung, liver, colon, and neuroblastoma).
Moringa May Help Reduce Anxiety
Moringa oleifera has been used as a traditional medicine for a long time. Sources indicate that moringa oleifera could be used as a potential treatment for anxiety.
Authors from the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) suggest that fresh Moringa leaves in dried form are very suitable and beneficial for consumption.
Researchers from the Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences (AM&HS) suggest that Moringa oleifera has anxiolytic properties. They speculate that this can be due to its modulating role on the above neurotransmitters or due to its antioxidant property.
Another study, involving Swiss albino mice revealed that combined administration of MOE with low doses of fluoxetine, or other SSRI drugs seem to have promising potential in fighting anxiety.
Moringa Helps Maintain Blood Pressure
As we get older, we must keep a check on things like blood pressure and sugar levels. Moringa may help in controlling blood pressure.
Due to the presence of compounds named isothiocyanate and niaziminin, moringa may reduce the risk of hypertension, since these components help in stopping arteries from thickening.
A study involving 10 males with hypertension revealed interesting results. The researchers gave 150 ml of Moringa oleifera leaf juice to the patients. They did this two times a day, for a period of 30 days. The researchers observed a drastic reduction in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the subjects.
Moringa Helps Cure Sore Throat
According to the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Moringa has been used as a traditional medicine around the world for sore throats. Apart from all the other amazing benefits, moringa also offers benefits that span several disciplines such as botany, chemistry, and pharmacology.
In studies involving both living organisms and test-tube experiments, researchers have demonstrated the wound healing property of Moringa Olifeira. However, we need more research on this subject to open the direct application of this property.
Moringa is Filled with Antioxidants
Antioxidants are essential to our bodies. They protect us from the damage caused due to free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which can result in chronic ailments like diabetes and heart disease. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Moringa were tested on markers of oxidative stress, its toxicity evaluation, and correlation with antioxidant properties in a study.
In fact, Moringa oleifera has shown antioxidant activity in both test-tube experiments and experiments on living organisms
It also contains a powerful antioxidant called quercetin. It may help in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive subjects.
Moringa is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a protection mechanism of our body, which activates when we are injured. This process can be harmful if it does not stop for a long time. In tests done in test tubes and on living beings, Moringa has shown anti-inflammatory properties.
A study done in 2010 indicated that the Moringa possessed anti-inflammatory properties against CCl4-induced liver damage and fibrosis.
Similarly, research from the National Library of Medicine states that isothiocyanates are the prominent anti-inflammatory compounds in moringa seeds, leaves, and pods.
Moringa is also Anti-Diabetic
Hyperglycemia refers to increased levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood.
It is the main cause of diabetes, which can be a major problem if not prevented early. High blood sugar may also lead to other serious health problems, including heart disease.
Studies suggest that the anti-diabetic nature of moringa is considerably prominent. These leaves may lead to reduced blood sugar levels.
Similarly, another small study on six people indicated that adding 50 grams of Moringa leaves to the diet decreased the rise in blood sugar levels by 21%.
Spearmint Leaves
Also known as the “garden mint”, this minty herb contains aromatic oil, called the oil of spearmint. It is used as a flavouring and sometimes as a scent. This oil is one of the main reasons behind the various health benefits of spearmint, such as:
Spearmint Helps with Weight Management
Research has suggested that spearmint may help in managing weight and preventing obesity. It is not some magical herb, but it can aid in a healthy diet, a balanced lifestyle, and ideal weight.
Spearmint tea may act as a catalyst in your weight loss journey. It may act as a potential treatment for obesity, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Also, tea made with spearmint is very low in calories, meaning it won’t add much to your daily intake.
Spearmint May help Reduce Stress
Mental health is a very serious issue, especially in today’s world. We often ignore it as a society. We need natural ways to take care of our mental health.
Spearmint tea may help in relaxing your nerves and reducing stress. It is a natural anti-stress agent and helps you keep calm in stressful situations. In some South American countries, people have traditionally used spearmint as a remedy for stress and insomnia.
Recently in a lab study, scientists gave spearmint extract to rats for observing any potential changes. The results indicated decreased anxiety and improved sleep. Spearmint leaves contain menthol, which is famous for its relaxing properties.
Spearmint may help Maintain Blood Sugar Levels
Research suggests that spearmint tea may help lower blood sugar in some diabetes patients. There have not been any extensive human studies on the matter. But, studies on rats with diabetes have shown lower blood sugar levels when given spearmint.
In a lab study that having healthy and diabetic rats, the researchers gave spearmint extract to the rats every day. Compared to the healthy rats, the diabetic rats displayed lower levels of blood sugar.
In another study, the researchers gave 300 mg (per kg of body weight) of spearmint extract to diabetic rats daily for 21 days. The study reported a 25% reduction in blood sugar.
Spearmint may help in Dealing with PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance in women. PCOS makes women produce amounts of male hormones that are considered more than normal. This happens due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Women suffering from PCOS often report symptoms like irregular periods, excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back, or buttocks, hair loss, and acne.
Spearmint tea may help with PCOS. It has an anti-androgenic effect that results in a significant decrease in testosterone levels that may help in the treatment of PCOS.
In a 30-day study, 42 women with PCOS were given spearmint tea twice a day. Compared to the control group, these women showed lower testosterone levels. Similar results were found in another study, which was conducted on 12 women with PCOS. In a different study, researchers gave spearmint tea to women with facial hair twice a day for 30 days. The results reported a significant reduction in facial hair.
Spearmint may Improve Memory
Wouldn’t it be great if chugging on tea helped improve how our brain functions? Well, it’s not far from possible! Spearmint can help improve brain function by boosting memory.
Spearmint has neuroprotective properties. It increases neurotransmitter levels, protects neurons, and promotes neural growth. The chemical analysis says that spearmint may help in improving memory and treating memory-related ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease.
A study tested mice’s memory by making them pass a maze test. After giving them some spearmint extract, the mice experienced improved learning and memory. Similarly, in a more recent study, scientists gave supplements containing 900 mg of spearmint extract to some older adults with memory impairment. The results showed a 15% improvement in working memory.
Spearmint has Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help protect our bodies from the cellular damage caused by free radicals. These are harmful molecules that might cause oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can lead to several chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Foods rich in antioxidants are very useful in preventing chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. As mentioned above, oxidative stress is a medical condition. The free radicals that damage our skin can result in oxidative stress.
Spearmint has a lot of antioxidants. The most prominent ones are rosmarinic acid, flavones and flavanones like limonene and menthol. Antioxidants are also responsible for the memory-boosting and neuroprotective properties of spearmint.
Peppermint Leaves
Compared to spearmint which has only 1% on menthol, peppermint has a whopping 40%. It adds a more intense “minty” flavour to the Cool Green Ocean. Peppermint also offers a lot of benefits, such as:
Peppermint may Improve Oral Health
Popularly used for flavouring candies and breath mints, peppermint has a pleasant minty taste. In fact, this fresh mint is not just good for taste, but for your oral hygiene as well.
A study has reported that peppermint oil shows antibacterial activity that restricts the rapid growth of a bacteria called staphylococcus. In another study, test subjects who were given peppermint, tea tree, and lemon oils demonstrated improved breath.
The cooling properties of peppermint can effectively soothe tooth and muscle aches. Peppermint helps fight off oral pathogens and kills common bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. This is the reason why peppermint can be found as a prominent ingredient in most kinds of toothpaste, gums, and several kinds of mouthwash.
Peppermint may Improve Digestion
Peppermint may prove useful in treating digestive ailments such as bloating and indigestion. It also has a relaxing effect on the intestinal smooth muscle.
Studies conducted on animals indicate that essential oils present in peppermint help relax the digestive tissues. It also prevents smooth muscle contraction and spasms.
A different series of studies conducted on children revealed that peppermint significantly reduced the duration, frequency, and severity of abdominal pain. Include peppermint in your diet and keep those stomach ailments at bay!
Peppermint may help treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is actually a very common intestinal disorder, that consists of symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain. Although IBS cannot be cured, you can avoid the symptoms by managing their diet and lifestyle. Some may need medication.
Research has reported results based on a series of studies done on 926 people. The researchers treated the test subjects were with peppermint oil for two weeks. The results showed significantly better symptom relief among the subjects.
Another study done on 72 people who suffered from IBS gave similar results. The consumption of peppermint oil capsules reduced the symptoms of IBS by 40% after 4 weeks.
Peppermint is Anti-Viral
Currently, we face new strains of viruses that are getting difficult to fight. So, incorporating antiviral foods into our diet has become a necessity. In fact, peppermint can help here. The essential oils present in peppermint have two main components-menthol and menthone. Research (in vitro) has suggested that peppermint has significant antiviral effects.
This antiviral property of peppermint may even have a direct effect on our respiratory system and its health. To summarize, it may help with problems in the respiratory tract, nasal tract, and coughing reflexes.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, go ahead and try this amazing brew, filled with all the goodness of Moringa and the mints. Ono Teas believes in conserving your health and creating a pleasurable experience at the same time. So, treat yourself to a fresh cup of Moringa Mint, sit back, relax, and stay safe!
If you liked Moringa Mint, make sure you check out our other teas, such as Chamomile Mint and Spearmint PCOD Tea from our Women’s Wellness Collection.
