Spearmint Tea and PCOS
PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome) is a health issue that plagues many women today, including me. It can cause weight gain, facial and body hair, hair loss, acne, discoloration under the arms on the sides of the neck and between the thighs, as well as fertility problems, and a general feeling of being unwell.
There are many methods that treat PCOS, the most effective (in my opinion) being hormone replacement (i.e. birth control). However, that's not always possible for many reasons, among them being health risks, religious reasons, or simply because you want to become pregnant.
Most of the problems of PCOS can be attributed to an over abundance of androgens- male hormones. Spearmint can reduce the levels of free testosterone, and that in turn can reduce the symptoms of PCOS. Naturally!
There are many methods that treat PCOS, the most effective (in my opinion) being hormone replacement (i.e. birth control). However, that's not always possible for many reasons, among them being health risks, religious reasons, or simply because you want to become pregnant.
Most of the problems of PCOS can be attributed to an over abundance of androgens- male hormones. Spearmint can reduce the levels of free testosterone, and that in turn can reduce the symptoms of PCOS. Naturally!
The Study
In 2007 a study was done in Turkey of 21 women with hirsutism (excess facial and body hair). 12 of those women were PCOS sufferers.Each of the women was instructed to drink 1 cup of spearmint tea twice a day for 5 days during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles (days 9-13). At the end of the 5 days, each of the women was tested for free testosterone (the male hormone that causes so much trouble), which had decreased.
The idea for the study came from clinicians who'd noticed a significant decrease in the libido of men who drank spearmint or peppermint teas.
How To Brew It
The women in the study were instructed to brew their tea by pouring one cup of boiling water over one heaping teaspoon of dried spearmint leaves.I brew mine by pouring 1-2 teaspoons of dried spearmint leaves into a muslin tea bag, or into my ingenuiTEA teapot
There is no information on whether or not spearmint tea bags will have the same benefits or not, but if you go the tea bag route, I'd just make sure that it's a very high quality.
What If I Don't Like Spearmint?
I don't particularly like spearmint either, so I mix mine with peppermint (which can also lower androgens) or chamomile. Both blend nicely with spearmint, and have their own benefits. Just make certain that you get enough of the spearmint in the mix to actually give you the benefits.
Where To Buy Spearmint Tea?
You would think it would be easy to get your hands on some spearmint tea, but it isn't. None of our local grocery stores carry it- either loose or in bags.
The only places I've seen spearmint locally are in herb shops, and health food shops.
It's not even easy to find online. Amazon has a few options available, and you may want to order there if you prefer to use teabags. If you prefer loose leaf spearmint, I recommend Adagio Teas
as that's where I order mine.
The only places I've seen spearmint locally are in herb shops, and health food shops.
It's not even easy to find online. Amazon has a few options available, and you may want to order there if you prefer to use teabags. If you prefer loose leaf spearmint, I recommend Adagio Teas
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Spearmint Tea on Amazon
Spearmint Leaves, Dried & Cut - Culinary Herb - 1/2 Pound Bulk
Amazon Price: $5.25 (as of 12/26/2009) 
Spearmint Herbal Tea - 1/8 lb
Amazon Price: $6.25 (as of 12/26/2009)
Organic Tea - Chamomile Spearmint, 6 Units / 20 bag
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 12/26/2009)
Galil Tea, Spearmint, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)
Spearmint Tea on eBay
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Other Sources That May Be Helpful
- SoulCysters
- If you want or need support from someone who understands what you're going through, check these women out. They're supportive and chock full of useful information.
- Natural Treatment For PCOS
- Lensmaster PCOSMatters has put together a great lens for beginning the search for natural treatments for PCOS.
- Spearmint tea - natural treatment for hirsutism
- A short news article on the study
Blog Posts on Spearmint & PCOS
How Has It Worked For Me?
I realize that this may be a little too much personal information, but I also assume that that's what you want to know if you're here. Has it worked for me?
Yes. As far as I can tell, the spearmint tea has helped considerably. I feel healthier, my complexion is clearing up, and, (here's the TMI) I've just had my first normal, natural period in years.
I haven't been religious with the tea, but I have had 2-3 cups several times a week. Since this occurrence, I'm much better at remembering!
Yes. As far as I can tell, the spearmint tea has helped considerably. I feel healthier, my complexion is clearing up, and, (here's the TMI) I've just had my first normal, natural period in years.
I haven't been religious with the tea, but I have had 2-3 cups several times a week. Since this occurrence, I'm much better at remembering!
Are You Interested In Nutrition?
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Have any success with the spearmint treatment, or another natural alternative? Please, tell us about it!
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- WordVixen WordVixen Sep 2, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
- I've been meaning to talk to my doctor about progesterone cream, but I remember seeing on the label (I needed it for other reasons previously) that you shouldn't use it if pregnant- and that's what I'm trying for.
I'm glad that it works for her, as I've been curious about it before. Is there anything else she uses?
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- momsherbs momsherbs Sep 2, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
- Very interesting. My daughter was diagnosed with PCOS and she uses the natural progesterone cream to balance her hormones. It has been regulating her cycles. They were irregular before.
by WordVixen
I was diagnosed with severe PCOS in 2006. This is what I'm doing to help myself.
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