What are the benefits of steeping mint leaves in water?

Generally, steeping mint leaves in water usually offers benefits such as promoting skin health, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, calming the nerves, improving digestion, and relieving respiratory discomfort. The specific effects are analyzed as follows:

1. Promoting Skin Health

The antioxidant components in mint leaves also benefit the skin by helping to reduce inflammation and fight acne, resulting in healthier and smoother skin. While consuming mint leaf water internally, applying mint leaves externally as a facial compress may also achieve certain skincare effects.

2. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

Mint leaves are rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which help combat free radical damage and reduce inflammatory responses. Long-term consumption of mint leaf water may help enhance immunity and prevent chronic diseases.

3. Calming and Sedative Effects

The aromatic components in mint leaves can stimulate the nervous system but simultaneously have a calming effect, helping to relieve tension and anxiety. Drinking mint leaf water in moderation before bedtime can help relax the body and mind, promoting better sleep.

4. Improving Digestion

The essential oils in mint leaves can promote gastric juice secretion and intestinal motility, thus improving digestive function. For issues such as indigestion and bloating, moderate consumption of mint leaf water may provide some relief.

5. Relieving Respiratory Discomfort

Drinking mint leaf water may serve as an adjunct treatment for respiratory problems such as sore throat and cough caused by the common cold. Its cooling sensation can soothe the throat and reduce inflammation.

Excessive consumption of mint leaf water may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Individuals with cold body constitution, spleen deficiency, cough due to lung deficiency, or fever caused by yin deficiency should take mint leaf water cautiously under a doctor's guidance. Additionally, women during pregnancy and lactation should avoid drinking mint leaf water.