Spearmint Tea For PCOS

Herbs and tea have been a part of holistic medicine for centuries, and with good reason. They hold a ton of health benefits with far less negative side effects than prescriptions and other medications. That’s why we’re big fans of tea around here! 

Spearmint tea (Mentha spicata) is one of my favorite natural remedies for some of my polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms. Not only does it taste minty fresh, but it also has tons of PCOS-fighting properties (which we’ll get into next!).  

Of course, spearmint tea isn’t an overnight solution to your PCOS symptoms, but it’s a great companion to your natural healing journey. So, today, I’m dedicating this post to spearmint tea and how it can help you with PCOS hormone imbalance. Here’s the tea: 

Spearmint Tea For PCOS

There are several beneficial teas for women with PCOS, but spearmint tea probably holds the MOST benefits. Studies show that spearmint tea has a significant anti-androgenic effect, which means it helps lower and regulate testosterone levels in females.

This is a big deal because high androgen levels are responsible for quite a few PCOS symptoms, including acne, unwanted hair growth, male pattern baldness, mood swings, infertility, irregular periods, and even high blood sugar. Spearmint can support weight loss goals too!

While lowering testosterone, research finds that spearmint tea also increases the luteinizing hormone levels (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels (FSH) in the body. These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, improve regular reproduction function, and even increase fertility! 

Try drinking spearmint tea twice a day and track your symptom improvements to see how this herbal tea may help you. 

Below, I have listed all the potential benefits of spearmint tea:

Benefits of Spearmint Tea For PCOS

• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Regulates menstrual cycle
• Decreases unwanted hair growth
• Improves hair loss
• Reduces acne
• Betters focus

Benefits of Spearmint Tea for Skin

Balances Oil Production 

Spearmint has natural anti-androgenic effects, meaning it can help lower male sex hormones that contribute to excess oil production on the face and body. By reducing androgen levels, spearmint tea helps regulate your skin’s natural oil balance. So, you’re less likely to deal with that constant greasy shine.

Reduces Hormonal Acne 

Excess oil is one of the biggest triggers of hormonal acne. When oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin cells, it clogs pores and leads to breakouts. Because spearmint helps lower testosterone levels, it can reduce oil production at the source. This helps to clear existing acne and prevent future flare-ups!

Protects from UV Damage

Spearmint is rich in antioxidants, which help defend the skin against damage caused by UV exposure. Now, it’s not a replacement for sunscreen. Drinking spearmint tea supports your skin from the inside by neutralizing free radicals that contribute to premature aging, dark spots, and skin sagging. 

Eases Inflammation 

Chronic inflammation is the reason for SO many skin issues. Think acne, redness, sensitivity, and even uneven texture. Spearmint contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help calm the skin and reduce irritation. Over time, this can lead to a more even, less reactive complexion that just looks healthier overall.

Difference Between Peppermint and Spearmint Tea

Flavor and Strength

• Peppermint tea: Strong, sharp, and cooling (more intense menthol taste)
• Spearmint tea: Milder, sweeter, and more refreshing

Compounds 

• Peppermint tea: Very high in menthol, which gives it its cooling effect and digestive benefits
• Spearmint tea: Lower in menthol, but rich in compounds like rosmarinic acid, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains plant compounds with anti-androgenic properties, meaning they can help lower free testosterone levels and support hormonal balance

Uses 

• Peppermint tea: Best for digestion, bloating, headaches, and nausea
• Spearmint tea: Often used for hormonal balance, acne, and reducing excess androgens

Side Effects

• Peppermint tea: Can trigger acid reflux or worsen GERD in some people
• Spearmint tea: Generally gentler without side effects

How Does Spearmint Tea Help Hormones?

Step One: Lowers Excess Androgens

Spearmint tea has natural anti-androgen effects, meaning it can help bring down hormones like testosterone. This is a big deal for women with PCOS, since high androgens are often behind many of the symptoms.

Step Two: Reduces Excess Oil and Skin Disruptions

As your androgen levels come down, your body balances out oil production. This can mean fewer clogged pores and breakouts, especially in areas like the jawline and chin.

Step Three: Regulates Ovulation and the Menstrual Cycle

Regular ovulation needs balanced androgen levels. When they’re too high, ovulation can be delayed or doesn’t happen at all. As those levels improve, your body starts ovulating when it’s supposed to. And as ovulation falls in line, the whole menstrual cycle becomes more regular too! 

Step Four: Improves Estrogen–Progesterone Balance

Ovulation is what signals your body to produce progesterone. So when ovulation improves, progesterone can rise like it’s supposed to—helping balance estrogen and reduce issues like heavy periods, PMS, and mood swings.

Step Five: Reduces Hormone-Driven Symptoms

As your hormones start to balance out, you could see improvements in all your PCOS symptoms! Hormonal side effects like acne, excess facial hair, irregular periods, and even bloating can all improve with spearmint tea. 

Step Six: Supports Long-Term Hormonal Stability

All of this works together to create a more stable hormonal environment over time. Spearmint tea isn’t a quick fix, but it’s an easy daily habit that can support your hormones when combined with the right lifestyle changes.

When to Drink Spearmint Tea?

• Morning (easy daily hormone support): To maximize the effects of spearmint tea, aim to drink two cups a day—stay consistent! Grab your first cup in the morning for a caffeine-free hormone boost.  
• Midday (helps manage cravings + energy dips): Drinking a cup in the afternoon can help support more stable blood sugar and reduce energy crashes.
• After meals (supports digestion + insulin response): Sipping spearmint tea after eating may help with mild bloating and support better blood sugar balance.

Evening (supports stress + hormone regulation): Enjoying it at night is a great way to wind down since it’s caffeine-free and won’t disrupt sleep.

How To Drink Spearmint Tea For PCOS

Drink it hot.

Probably the simplest way to drink spearmint tea for PCOS is to brew it and drink it hot! Simply boil water over the stove or use an electric kettle with temperature control to get the perfect temp for steeping. (The best for herbal teas is between 208˚ – 212˚F.) 

Keep your tea infuser in your mug for 3-5 minutes and then remove it. Leaving it in there longer will make the tea stronger, but eventually make it bitter, so make sure you don’t leave it in the entire time you’re drinking your tea. If you don’t love the flavor, try adding some lemon. If brewing sounds intimidating, try Testosterone Relief Tea! This tea blend includes spearmint, lemon balm, rosehip, and other herbs researched to help with hormonal dysregulation. No plastic tea bag is necessary!

Drink it cold.

If hot beverages aren’t your favorite, try iced tea! Steep the tea the same way (yes, steep it hot), and then pour the finished tea over a pitcher or glass of ice. Then, enjoy! 

Again, you could add flavors to your tea, but consider avoiding sugar or dairy products that could work against your PCOS healing goals! 

Add it to a smoothie.

Tea is something you can add to smoothies too. This is a great way to mask the base tea flavor, but enhance the health benefits and taste of your morning smoothie. Spearmint tea tastes especially delicious in a smoothie that contains coconut milk, a little strawberry and mango, and protein powder!

Make popsicles.

After you’ve made your hot tea, let it cool a bit, and then pour it into popsicle molds (or ice cube trays) with fresh fruit, mint leaves, and lemon juice. In a few hours, you’ll have a tasty summer treat that can help you combat PCOS symptoms! Want to take it up a notch and curb your cravings? Add a serving of Inositol Complete 40:1 in each popsicle mold!

Add fresh fruit. 

Lastly, adding fresh fruit to your tea can help enhance the flavors and make it more palatable while you’re still getting used to the flavor. Use this list of PCOS-friendly fruits as a guide. A few good options would be oranges, kiwi, grapefruit, strawberries, papayas, and pomegranates. 

Best Spearmint Tea For PCOS

Testosterone Relief Tea

When it comes to choosing the best spearmint tea for PCOS, Testosterone Relief Tea is in a league of its own. We hand-selected each ingredient based on research to create the perfect hormone-balancing blend—because Cysters deserve a tea that actually works with their bodies, not against them.

Unlike regular spearmint tea, Testosterone Relief Tea is a powerful combination of hormone-supporting herbs that work together to naturally lower testosterone, support a healthy metabolism, increase satiety, and promote a calm mind and body. One of the main stars is spearmint, which you already know has been shown to naturally lower testosterone levels, reducing excess facial hair and hormonal acne. But it also includes other amazing herbs and flavors:

• Nettle – A natural detoxifier that binds to and removes excess androgens from the body.
• Cinnamon – Improves insulin sensitivity and helps regulate menstrual cycles in PCOS.
• Chamomile – Soothes inflammation and supports stress hormone balance to help lower cortisol.

Here’s a list of more!

But what’s not in your tea matters just as much as what is! NO PLASTIC. NO BPA. Ever wonder what’s steeping along with your tea? Many standard tea bags contain sneaky plastics that release BPA into your hot tea—which can disrupt hormones and worsen PCOS symptoms. That’s why Testosterone Relief Tea comes in pyramid-shaped sachets made from plant-based cassava fibers. These eco-friendly, biodegradable bags allow for a full steep so you get every last benefit from our powerful ingredients—without any hidden toxins.

Researched, handcrafted, and designed for Cysters… by a fellow Cyster and PCOS Registered Dietitian. We formulated this blend with hormonal balance, metabolic health, and stress reduction in mind—so every sip is doing something good for your body. Whether you’re sipping it in the morning or as part of your evening wind-down routine, this tea is made to support your hormones and help you feel your best.

Spearmint tea holds a lot of PCOS-fighting benefits! 

Though there is no quick fix for PCOS, there are lots of natural ways we can reverse our polycystic ovary syndrome and heal from our symptoms—and what you eat (and DRINK!) is a big part of that. I recommend an anti-inflammatory, gluten and dairy-free diet, which you can follow in The Cysterhood App. I’ve got tons of recipes and all the information you need to get your life back on track. And enjoy a couple cups of spearmint tea while you’re there…because life is too short to spend most of it plucking our chin hairs!