Is Peppermint Tea Good for Hot Flashes?

Partly: peppermint tea may feel soothing during a hot flash if served cool because peppermint’s menthol can create a cooling sensation, but it is not proven to reduce hot flashes.

Can peppermint tea help with hot flashes?

Cool peppermint tea may make a hot flash feel more comfortable for some people. That is different from preventing a hot flash, making it shorter or reducing how often it happens.

Peppermint tea can also contribute to fluid intake, which may be welcome if sweating leaves you thirsty. You do not need to drink it for detoxification: the liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste.

If you are comparing options for comfort, see the best drinks for hot flashes. No drink should replace an assessment when symptoms are new, severe or disrupting daily life.

How might peppermint tea feel cooling?

Peppermint contains menthol, which can activate cold-sensitive receptors and create a cooling sensation. Drinking peppermint tea cool adds the physical sensation of a cool liquid, although individual preferences differ.

Feeling cooler does not necessarily mean your body temperature has fallen or that the cause of the hot flash has changed. Hot flashes are common around menopause, when hormonal changes can affect the brain’s temperature regulation.

A very hot drink may feel uncomfortable during a hot flash and can trigger symptoms for some people. Let peppermint tea cool before drinking it if warmth seems to make your symptoms worse. There is no established temperature that works for everyone.

What does the evidence say?

We found no studies that test peppermint tea for hot flashes. Its effect on the frequency, severity or duration of hot flashes is therefore not established, and there is no evidence-based dose to recommend for this purpose.

The cooling sensation associated with menthol is not proof that peppermint tea treats hot flashes. Even evidence about concentrated peppermint products would not automatically show that a brewed cup has the same effects.

A person may enjoy peppermint tea and still have hot flashes. If you try it, consider it a comfort measure rather than a treatment, and notice whether it makes you feel better or worse. Persistent or bothersome symptoms are worth discussing with a clinician because treatments with stronger evidence are available.

How can you use peppermint tea?

Choose a plain peppermint tea and serve it cool or at a comfortable temperature. Follow the package directions if using a tea bag, then allow the tea to cool before drinking. You can also make a cold-steeped version with fresh peppermint leaves:

Ingredients

• 1 litre water, about 4¼ US cups
• 8–12 fresh peppermint leaves or 2 sprigs, about 5 g or 0.2 oz

Steps

1. Rinse the peppermint leaves under running water.
2. Add the leaves to the water in a clean covered pitcher.
3. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours to infuse.
4. Strain and serve cool.

Keep the prepared peppermint tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for best flavour. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

There is no proven schedule or amount of peppermint tea for hot flashes. Drink it only if you enjoy it and tolerate it; drinking more has not been shown to improve the effect.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Peppermint tea may aggravate heartburn or acid reflux in some people. If you have reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, stop drinking it if it worsens your symptoms. Avoid peppermint tea if you are allergic to peppermint.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a clinician about using peppermint products regularly, especially concentrated preparations. Check with a clinician or pharmacist before giving peppermint tea to a child or using concentrated peppermint products alongside medicines. Peppermint essential oil is not interchangeable with peppermint tea and should not be swallowed as a substitute.

Make an appointment if hot flashes are frequent, interfere with sleep or daily life, or occur with persistent night sweats, fever or unexplained weight loss. A clinician can help determine whether the symptoms need evaluation and discuss appropriate options without asking you to stop prescribed medication on your own.

Seek urgent medical care for symptoms such as chest pain, fainting or trouble breathing, rather than assuming they are part of a hot flash.