When it comes to trying to get to sleep in the heat, you’ve probably tried all of the usual tricks, but there’s one unusual method you might not have heard of – so I gave it a go
I was sceptical, but I’ll give anything a go once (maybe)
As the season of skimpy outfits, long nights, and urges to spend evenings in beer gardens with mates arrives, it unfortunately also brings about sleepless nights. This is due to the rising heat and the reluctance to open windows for fear of mosquitoes and other unwelcome house guests.
You’ve likely tried everything from sleeping in shorts and an oversized cotton t-shirt, using a fan, to ice packs, but there’s one thing you’ve probably not considered because it seems counterintuitive. That is, having a steaming hot cup of peppermint tea before bed. Upon hearing a nutritionist claim that hot mint tea was supposed to cool you down in warm weather, I was highly sceptical. How could a hot beverage possibly make you cooler?
Drinking a scalding brew was the last thing you’d want to do when you’re sweating buckets. However, when I came across claims that hot mint tea could reduce body temperature, my curiosity was piqued. Why? How?
I did recall my grandma suggesting that she believed having a cuppa on a sunny day was the secret to staying cool. And here I was thinking it was sipping Aperol spritzes…
For under £2 it’s worth a go
Intrigued enough by the prospect of feeling less heated, I purchased some mint tea bags. I chose Tetley, available at Tesco for £1.75 for 20 bags – though store-brand options are priced at £1.45.
After brewing the tea and removing the tea bag, I found myself questioning why I was holding a hot drink on a hot day.
Initially sceptical, I wasn’t convinced the TikTok trend would keep me cool during an outing in central Manchester. Foolishly thinking it was just another fad, I hoped that drinking mint tea could prevent my makeup from melting off on the tram journey.
However, after my first sip, a surprising chill tingled through me. It took a second taste before I really believed its cooling power—that minty sensation genuinely lowered how hot I felt. And the science backs this up.
All Recipes explains: “When you consume mint or mint-flavoured foods or drinks, the menthol interacts with the receptors in your skin and mouth, creating a cooling effect.
“It triggers the cold-sensitive receptors, which can make you feel cooler even though the actual temperature of your body remains the same.”
Furthermore, Simone Thomas, nutritionist and wellness coach, advised the Mirror: “Easy to grow in the garden or in pots, and cheap to pick up in the supermarket, peppermint is the perfect pick me and up and offers a natural way to cool down as the herb’s menthol stimulates your body’s cooling receptors.”
Regarding whether to have a hot or cold mint brew, Simone states she “prefers it cool when it’s warm outside as it’s so refreshing.”
It’s comforting to know that opting for my mint tea chilled will still keep me fresh in the heat.
According to BBC Good Food, mint tea is not just a refreshing drink but also boasts numerous health benefits. It aids digestion, is caffeine-free, promotes better sleep, freshens breath, and can even help with a blocked nose.
After experiencing the soothing effects of mint tea, I decided to incorporate it into my bedtime routine.
A cup of this calming brew, coupled with a good book, prepared me for a restful night’s sleep and significantly reduced my body heat.
Regardless of the weather, I believe I’ve found a new nightly ritual – and a saviour for those sweltering heatwaves.