I wasn't sure where to put this - so if it's in the wrong place perhaps one of the mods can move it. I'm sure many of you will have come across this one... but if not it is worth knowing about.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6376599.stm

Spearmint tea turns out to be a surprisingly good scavenger of free testosterone (DHT) A few cups a day can make a noticable difference to body hair growth problems.

Being partially androgen insensitive it wasn't really an issue for me but my partner used to have problems with body hair. Since we have been drinking the tea, which tastes delicious, she has found that this has all but completely vanished.

Obviously this isn't an alternative to taking spiro or any other prescribed medicine but for anyone postop or who isn't taking androgen blockers who wants to a gentle herbal solution to the problem of excess body hair it's worth giving it a try.

"Spearmint could affect the metabolism of hormones such as testosterone or directly affect synthesis of androgen hormones, the researchers suggest."

interesting.

It is also good for your digestion.  I should get some.  And Honey.  Yummy.

In the UK it's available in two ranges "Good Earth Coolmint" and "Pukka Teas Three Mint" Both brands are likely to be available at any good supermarket.

And by observation it really works too! Seriously I've seen the difference on my Ali. For years she used to wax arms and legs - but for the past two since we've been doing the mint tea she hasn't been back to the salon even once.

cool

Minty fresh. I love making it with fresh leaves and keeping them in there....can imagine alot more goodies are in the fresh leaves too. Had no clue of the benefits thnx for the info Jenny.

I wonder if this includes other forms of spearmint too.  I've always liked spearmint breath mints (I've had far more than my fair share over the years), so that'd be pretty cool if I got some kind of benefit from it

I'll definitely keep a look out for the tea next time I go to the grocery.

Quote from: Kieri on January 20, 2010, 09:34:12 PM
I wonder if this includes other forms of spearmint too.  I've always liked spearmint breath mints (I've had far more than my fair share over the years), so that'd be pretty cool if I got some kind of benefit from it

I'll definitely keep a look out for the tea next time I go to the grocery.

Maybe - but many flavours in things like gum are artificial. The best place to get the tea is a healthfood store. It comes in teabags too - and in some blends like one which also contains ordinary tea, and one which contains calomile. Or you can just grow some spearmint in the garden and use the fresh leaves.

Quote from: mija on January 20, 2010, 06:55:50 PM
Minty fresh. I love making it with fresh leaves and keeping them in there....can imagine alot more goodies are in the fresh leaves too. Had no clue of the benefits thnx for the info Jenny.

It does have to be SPEARmint though. Peppermint won't carry the same benefit.

I have tea that apparently is a peppermint and spearmint blend or something, it says all natural though and not artificial. I wonder if this is adequate or if I should just go to a health food store and find something better?? 

The peppermint and spearmint blend should do just fine!

That's one of the ones we drink ourselves.