Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealing PropertiesHow to UseSpearmint vs. Other MintSide EffectsOther BenefitsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Healing Properties
How to Use
Spearmint vs. Other Mint
Side Effects
Other Benefits
When to See a Provider
Medicinal plants and teas have been used in traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine to prevent and treat acne for years. However, the evidence about their effectiveness is ongoing and not yet conclusive. The alleged benefits of spearmint tea for acne are largely anecdotal and based on its general properties.
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Spearmint Tea Properties Ideal for Acne Treatment
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Spearmint reduces inflammation and swelling. This may help with pain, irritation, and other types of inflammation.
Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties
Research suggests that spearmint has a cleansing effect. It can also kill harmful bacteria and other germs, preventing them from spreading.
Antiandrogenic Effects
A growing body of evidence suggests that spearmint tea has anti-androgenic properties. Androgens refer to the sex hormones, which tend to be imbalanced in people with PCOS. This hormonal imbalance often leads to acne breakouts, as well as other symptoms likeovarian cysts, infertility, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Studies have found that drinking spearmint tea can lowertestosteronelevels and increase the levels of other hormones, such asluteinizing hormone(LH),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), andestradiol(estrogen), in people with PCOS. Some researchers speculate that this could make it a successful treatment for PCOS-related acne.
Antiproliferative Activity
Spearmint has antiproliferative qualities, meaning it inhibits cell growth. Researchers are primarily interested in this property due to its potential as an anticancer agent, but it may also be promising as a treatment for acne.
How to Use Spearmint Tea for Clear Skin
Spearmint leaves and oil can be used in a variety of ways. It’s often consumed as a food additive. Oral capsules are available in supplement form, whilespearmint oilcan be applied topically via creams, serums, and essential oils.
Most people who use spearmint for its antiandrogenic properties (i.e., in hopes of clearing up PCOS-related acne) drink spearmint tea. In most cases, the typical dose of spearmint tea is up to two cups on a daily basis for up to four months at a time.
Spearmint Tea vs. Regular Mint Tea
Peppermint and spearmint are both members of theLamiaceaefamily. They are used for their flavor and aroma in food, cosmetic products, and hygiene products, such as toothpaste.
Peppermint tea contains significantly more menthol than spearmint tea, which gives it its sharper, mintier flavor. Spearmint tea is sweeter and milder.The higher menthol content in peppermint may also increase the risk of skin irritation or an allergic reaction if it’s applied topically or inhaled.
Some people drink peppermint tea or use peppermint oil for its purported health benefits, such as reducing nausea and treating symptoms ofirritable bowel syndrome(IBS). In comparison to spearmint, studies suggest that peppermint has a higher antioxidant effect and is more helpful in reducingoxidative stress(an imbalance between harmful free radicals and beneficial antioxidants).
When used in recommended amounts, spearmint tea is safe for most people to consume. In very large quantities, spearmint tea could increase the risk of health complications like:
If you have conditions or take medications that affect your kidneys, liver, breathing, or energy levels, let your healthcare provider know before consuming spearmint on a regular basis. For example, it may be unsafe to use large amounts of spearmint while taking depressants, such as sedatives.
In very rare cases, people have reported allergic reactions to spearmint. However, this typically occurs when it’s used topically.
Other Proven Spearmint Tea Benefits
Outside of potentially clearing up acne, spearmint tea has several other potential health benefits. For example, studies suggest it may relieve other effects of hormonal imbalances due to PCOS, such ashirsutism(excessive hair growth in women).
One study also found that it could decrease pain and joint stiffness and increase mobility in people withosteoarthritis(degenerative joint disease when cartilage and bone break down).
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While natural remedies like spearmint tea may help to reduce acne breakouts, there are many evidence-based treatments available to treat persistent acne. If your acne doesn’t clear up with at-home care, reach out to a dermatologist.
Other potential treatments include:
Summary
If you’d like to try drinking spearmint tea to clear up your skin, it likely will not do any harm. Still, consider reaching out to adermatologistto learn about further treatment options if your acne persists or gets worse.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Spearmint.Amuzescu A, Tampa M, Matei C, Georgescu SR.Adult female acne: Recent advances in pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches.Cosmetics. 2024;11(3):74. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11030074Kim S, Park TH, Kim WI, et al.The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Phytother Res. 2021;35(1):374-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.6809Mahendran G, Verma SK, Rahman LU.The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.): A review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;278:114266. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266Shen W, Pan Y, Jin B, et al.Effects of tea consumption on anthropometric parameters, metabolic indexes and hormone levels of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:736867. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.736867Bardaweel SK, Bakchiche B, ALSalamat HA, et al.Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) from Algerian Saharan atlas.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):201. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2274-xWu Z, Tan B, Liu Y, et al.Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of essential oils from peppermint, native spearmint and Scotch spearmint.Molecules. 2019;24(15):2825. doi:10.3390/molecules24152825National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.Connelly AE, Tucker AJ, Tulk H, et al.High-rosmarinic acid spearmint tea in the management of knee osteoarthritis symptoms.J Med Food. 2014;17(12):1361-7. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0189American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Spearmint.Amuzescu A, Tampa M, Matei C, Georgescu SR.Adult female acne: Recent advances in pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches.Cosmetics. 2024;11(3):74. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11030074Kim S, Park TH, Kim WI, et al.The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Phytother Res. 2021;35(1):374-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.6809Mahendran G, Verma SK, Rahman LU.The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.): A review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;278:114266. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266Shen W, Pan Y, Jin B, et al.Effects of tea consumption on anthropometric parameters, metabolic indexes and hormone levels of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:736867. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.736867Bardaweel SK, Bakchiche B, ALSalamat HA, et al.Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) from Algerian Saharan atlas.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):201. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2274-xWu Z, Tan B, Liu Y, et al.Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of essential oils from peppermint, native spearmint and Scotch spearmint.Molecules. 2019;24(15):2825. doi:10.3390/molecules24152825National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.Connelly AE, Tucker AJ, Tulk H, et al.High-rosmarinic acid spearmint tea in the management of knee osteoarthritis symptoms.J Med Food. 2014;17(12):1361-7. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0189American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Spearmint.Amuzescu A, Tampa M, Matei C, Georgescu SR.Adult female acne: Recent advances in pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches.Cosmetics. 2024;11(3):74. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11030074Kim S, Park TH, Kim WI, et al.The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Phytother Res. 2021;35(1):374-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.6809Mahendran G, Verma SK, Rahman LU.The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.): A review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;278:114266. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266Shen W, Pan Y, Jin B, et al.Effects of tea consumption on anthropometric parameters, metabolic indexes and hormone levels of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:736867. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.736867Bardaweel SK, Bakchiche B, ALSalamat HA, et al.Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) from Algerian Saharan atlas.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):201. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2274-xWu Z, Tan B, Liu Y, et al.Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of essential oils from peppermint, native spearmint and Scotch spearmint.Molecules. 2019;24(15):2825. doi:10.3390/molecules24152825National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.Connelly AE, Tucker AJ, Tulk H, et al.High-rosmarinic acid spearmint tea in the management of knee osteoarthritis symptoms.J Med Food. 2014;17(12):1361-7. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0189American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.
MedlinePlus.Spearmint.
Amuzescu A, Tampa M, Matei C, Georgescu SR.Adult female acne: Recent advances in pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches.Cosmetics. 2024;11(3):74. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11030074
Kim S, Park TH, Kim WI, et al.The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Phytother Res. 2021;35(1):374-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.6809
Mahendran G, Verma SK, Rahman LU.The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.): A review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;278:114266. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266
Shen W, Pan Y, Jin B, et al.Effects of tea consumption on anthropometric parameters, metabolic indexes and hormone levels of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:736867. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.736867
Bardaweel SK, Bakchiche B, ALSalamat HA, et al.Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) from Algerian Saharan atlas.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):201. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2274-x
Wu Z, Tan B, Liu Y, et al.Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of essential oils from peppermint, native spearmint and Scotch spearmint.Molecules. 2019;24(15):2825. doi:10.3390/molecules24152825
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.
Connelly AE, Tucker AJ, Tulk H, et al.High-rosmarinic acid spearmint tea in the management of knee osteoarthritis symptoms.J Med Food. 2014;17(12):1361-7. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0189
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.
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