Understanding the Disadvantages of Peppermint Tea

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

While often celebrated as a digestive aid, research indicates that peppermint can worsen symptoms for people with certain medical conditions, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This highlights a key disadvantage of peppermint tea: its suitability is not universal. Despite its popularity, a deeper look reveals potential side effects and health considerations that consumers should be aware of before making it a regular part of their routine.

Quick Summary

Peppermint tea is not suitable for everyone and may cause significant side effects. These include exacerbating acid reflux, triggering allergic reactions, interfering with certain medications, and presenting risks during pregnancy. Individuals with specific health issues should exercise caution and consult a doctor before consuming it.

Key Points

Exacerbates Acid Reflux: Peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which can worsen heartburn and GERD symptoms.
Interacts with Medications: It can interfere with the effectiveness of certain drugs, including antacids, blood pressure medication, and cyclosporine.
Risk for Infants and Pregnancy: Due to conflicting safety information and menthol content, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and is not recommended for infants.
Causes Allergic Reactions: Individuals with mint sensitivities or related allergies may experience skin rashes, wheezing, or other allergic responses.
Overconsumption Side Effects: Drinking too much peppermint tea can lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and other gastrointestinal distress.
Not a Universal Digestive Aid: While it can help IBS symptoms, its relaxing properties are harmful for those with acid reflux, meaning its digestive benefits are not universal.

What are the disadvantages of peppermint tea?

Peppermint tea is a beloved beverage for its refreshing taste and purported health benefits, particularly for soothing an upset stomach. However, its relaxing effects on the digestive system, which are often cited as a benefit for issues like IBS, can be a major disadvantage for those with other conditions. Understanding the potential downsides is crucial for safe consumption.

Exacerbation of Acid Reflux and GERD

One of the most significant disadvantages of peppermint tea is its ability to worsen symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn. The primary active compound, menthol, has a relaxing effect on the body's muscles, including the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—the muscle valve separating the esophagus from the stomach. If the LES relaxes too much, stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus, causing pain and irritation. This makes peppermint tea counterproductive for individuals seeking relief from acid-related digestive issues, who may mistakenly believe it will help.

Why peppermint can be problematic for acid reflux

Relaxation of the LES: Menthol in peppermint relaxes the sphincter, allowing for acid reflux.
Irritation: In sensitive individuals, the powerful compounds can irritate an already inflamed esophageal lining.
Increased Acid Exposure: By weakening the esophageal barrier, peppermint may increase the time the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid.

Potential Drug Interactions

Peppermint can interfere with the effectiveness of certain prescription and over-the-counter medications. This is a serious disadvantage, especially for those with chronic health conditions. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before regularly consuming peppermint tea if you are on medication.

Medications that may interact with peppermint

Antacids: Peppermint can cause the enteric coating on some antacid capsules to break down too quickly, increasing side effects.
High Blood Pressure Medications: Peppermint can have an effect on blood pressure, which may interfere with antihypertensive drugs.
Cyclosporine: The body may break down cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant, slower when peppermint oil products are consumed, potentially increasing its effects and side effects.
Seizure Medications: Peppermint is known to interact with certain anti-seizure medicines.
Antibiotics and Antifungals: Some drug-metabolizing liver enzymes can be affected by peppermint, altering how the body processes antibiotics and antifungals.

Allergic Reactions and Sensitivities

For some individuals, peppermint can trigger allergic reactions, ranging from mild skin irritation to more severe respiratory issues. People with known allergies to other mint family plants, such as oregano, thyme, or basil, may be more susceptible to cross-reactivity. Symptoms can appear within minutes of consumption and, in rare instances, can be a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

Signs of a peppermint allergy

Itchy tongue or throat
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Skin rashes or hives
Contact dermatitis from handling fresh mint leaves

Concerns During Pregnancy and for Infants

While peppermint tea is often cited as a safe beverage for pregnancy, particularly to combat nausea, it is not without risk, and opinions are conflicting. Pregnant individuals should always consult their doctor. Additionally, peppermint is not recommended for infants due to the menthol content.

Pregnancy and Infant Risks

Uterine Stimulation: In high doses, peppermint oil has been suggested to have emmenagogue effects, which could stimulate uterine blood flow. While the concentration in tea is much lower, caution is advised, especially in the first trimester.
Worsened Heartburn: The relaxation of the LES, common with peppermint, can worsen heartburn, a frequent complaint during pregnancy.
Breathing Issues in Infants: Menthol, an active ingredient, may cause breathing problems in young children and infants. For this reason, peppermint should be avoided for this age group.

Overconsumption and General Digestive Upset

Drinking excessively strong or large quantities of peppermint tea can lead to other adverse effects, despite its reputation for soothing the stomach. Like any herbal remedy, moderation is key.

Symptoms of overconsumption

Nausea and vomiting
Dry mouth
Abdominal pain and diarrhea
Headaches and dizziness

Peppermint vs. Other Herbal Teas: Potential Disadvantages Comparison


Feature	Peppermint Tea	Ginger Tea	Chamomile Tea
Acid Reflux/GERD Risk	High; can relax LES and trigger heartburn.	Low; naturally anti-inflammatory and soothing.	Low; calming and can soothe indigestion.
Drug Interactions	Moderate-High; can interfere with cyclosporine, blood pressure, and antacid medications.	Moderate; potential interactions with blood thinners.	Moderate; potential interactions with blood thinners and sedatives.
Pregnancy Safety	Use with caution and consult a doctor due to mixed opinions and potential uterine effects at high doses.	Generally safe in moderation; can help with morning sickness.	Generally safe in moderation, but regular heavy use may be associated with risk.
Infant Safety	Not recommended due to menthol content potentially causing breathing issues.	Generally safe from a young age, with pediatrician consultation.	Generally safe from a young age, with pediatrician consultation.
Allergy Risk	Present; cross-reactivity with other mint family herbs possible.	Low; generally not a common allergen.	Present; possible cross-reactivity with ragweed.

Conclusion

While peppermint tea offers several known health benefits, particularly for certain types of digestive discomfort like bloating and IBS, it is far from a universally safe remedy. A clear understanding of the disadvantages of peppermint tea is necessary for making informed health decisions. The potential to aggravate acid reflux, interact with medications, and cause allergic reactions are all significant factors to consider. For individuals with pre-existing conditions, particularly GERD or acid reflux, avoiding peppermint may be the best course of action. As always, consulting a healthcare professional is the wisest step before introducing any herbal supplement into your regimen, especially during pregnancy or when considering it for infants.

For more detailed information on drug interactions with peppermint, refer to reputable sources such as Drugs.com: Peppermint Uses, Side Effects & Warnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

People with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), acid reflux, hiatal hernia, or kidney stones should avoid peppermint tea. Those on certain medications, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with mint allergies should also exercise caution or avoid it.

Yes, for many individuals, peppermint tea can cause or worsen heartburn. The menthol in peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and causing a burning sensation.

Peppermint can interact with several medications, including antacids, cyclosporine, and drugs for high blood pressure. It can alter how the body processes these drugs, potentially increasing side effects or reducing their effectiveness.

While often used for morning sickness, there is conflicting information regarding peppermint tea's safety during pregnancy. High doses, in particular, should be avoided, and consumption should always be discussed with a doctor.

Peppermint tea is not safe for infants and young children primarily due to its menthol content. Menthol can cause breathing problems and other serious issues in this age group.

Signs of a peppermint allergy include skin irritations like rashes or hives, an itchy tongue or throat, and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing or a cough.

Yes, excessive consumption of peppermint tea can lead to side effects. Overdoing it may cause nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, or dizziness. Moderation is recommended, with a maximum of 4-5 cups per day suggested by some experts.