If you're dealing with PCOS, these probably sound all too familiar.
And let's face it, having to deal with recurring breakouts when you're well past your teenage years can be frustrating. You've tried different skincare products, changed your routine, and probably spent more than you'd like to admit trying to keep your skin clear.
Then there's the occasional chin hair that somehow manages to grow faster than the hair on your head. 😅
But here's something interesting. Some of these concerns may have more to do with your hormones than your skincare routine.
And that's where spearmint tea comes into the picture.
So, What's the Connection Between Spearmint and PCOS?
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a hormonal condition that affects many women during their reproductive years.
One of its common characteristics is elevated androgen levels. Androgens are often called male hormones, although women naturally produce them too.
When androgen activity becomes excessive, it can contribute to oily skin, stubborn acne, unwanted facial hair, and other symptoms associated with PCOS.
Now, here's the interesting part.
Spearmint has been studied for its potential to reduce certain androgen levels.
Yes, the same refreshing herb that makes a lovely cup of mint tea has actually caught the attention of researchers.
And we're talking about actual human studies, not just another wellness trend making its rounds on social media.
What Did Researchers Discover?
Back in 2007, researchers in Turkey studied 21 women experiencing excessive hair growth, including women diagnosed with PCOS.
The women drank spearmint tea twice daily for five days.
The result? Researchers observed a significant reduction in free testosterone, one of the hormones associated with unwanted facial hair and hormonal acne.
Interesting, right?
A few years later, another study involving 42 women explored the effects of drinking spearmint tea twice daily over 30 days.
Again, researchers found reductions in testosterone levels. Some participants also reported feeling that their unwanted hair growth had improved, although actual hair-growth measurements didn't show a significant change during the study.
These were relatively small studies, but they gave researchers a reason to investigate spearmint further.
And that's what makes this humble herb worth talking about.
Does That Mean Spearmint Can Clear Hormonal Acne?
We'd love to tell you that drinking a cup of spearmint tea will make stubborn breakouts disappear.
But skin and hormones are a little more complicated than that.
What researchers have discovered is that spearmint may help lower certain androgen levels. Since androgens can contribute to excess oil production and hormonal acne, there's a possible connection.
Think of it as an interesting area of research with promising early findings, rather than a guaranteed skincare solution.
And if you're dealing with PCOS, you probably already know that managing symptoms often involves several things working together, from nutrition and lifestyle habits to proper medical care.
And What About Facial Hair and Irregular Periods?
Unwanted facial hair is one of the reasons spearmint attracted scientific interest in the first place.
The research suggests that spearmint may influence hormones associated with excessive hair growth. But visible changes take time, and researchers still need longer studies to determine how much difference drinking the tea actually makes.
As for irregular periods, there's currently not enough evidence to say that spearmint tea can regulate your menstrual cycle.
So while spearmint has potential, it's important to understand what the science has established and what researchers are still figuring out.
A Little Wellness Habit Worth Trying
Here's what we like about spearmint.
It's naturally caffeine-free, refreshing, and easy to incorporate into your day. You can enjoy it warm in the morning or iced during a busy afternoon.
And unlike complicated wellness routines that require several products and a lengthy checklist, making a cup of tea takes only a few minutes.
In the studies mentioned earlier, participants drank spearmint tea twice daily. That gives us an idea of how it was studied, although the ideal long-term amount for PCOS support hasn't been established.
Of course, tea isn't a replacement for medical treatment, especially when managing a condition like PCOS.
But as an everyday beverage, spearmint can be an enjoyable addition to a balanced wellness routine.
Your Daily Cup of Spearmint
At Craftea Nutty, we've always been fascinated by how much there is to discover about herbs.
Spearmint is a good example. It's familiar, easy to enjoy, and has a surprisingly interesting story behind it.
Our Craftea Nutty Spearmint Tea is made from Mentha spicata leaves, giving you that naturally refreshing mint flavor without caffeine.
Whether you're exploring herbal teas for the first time or simply looking for a new addition to your daily routine, this is one herb worth getting acquainted with.
And at ₱220 for 50 grams of loose-leaf tea, enjoying a daily cup doesn't have to be an expensive habit.
Sometimes, taking better care of yourself begins with the little things you choose to do every day.
And a good cup of tea sounds like a pretty nice place to start. 🍃
Explore Craftea Nutty Spearmint Tea
Curious About the Science? Here Are the Studies.
We believe it's always good to know where information comes from. If you'd like to read more about the research behind spearmint and hormonal health, here are two published studies:
1. Akdoğan et al. (2007)
Effect of spearmint teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism.
Published in Phytotherapy Research. The study involved 21 women and observed reductions in free testosterone after drinking spearmint tea twice daily for five days.
2. Grant (2010)
Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.
Published in Phytotherapy Research. This 30-day study involved 42 women and found reductions in testosterone levels, although measurable improvements in facial hair growth were not established.
Research into spearmint and PCOS is still developing, but these early findings give us something interesting to explore.