Beware of mint

[kanotim]

Various studies have shown that mint significantly decreases testosterone levels along with other adverse effects. Anyway, herbs shouldn't be consumed too frequently or in excess. Of course, occasional mint should be fine but I'm a bit sad because mint recently became my favorite herb.. until I researched it online and came upon these studies  

Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19585478

Forty two volunteers were randomized to take spearmint tea twice a day for a 1 month period and compared with a placebo herbal tea. At 0, 15 and 30 days of the study serum androgen hormone levels and gonadotrophins were checked, the degree of hirsutism was clinically rated using the Ferriman-Galwey score and a questionnaire (the modified DQLI = Dermatology Quality of Life Index) was used to assess improvements in the level of self-reported hirsutism. Forty one of 42 patients completed the study. Free and total testosterone levels were significantly reduced over the 30 day period in the spearmint tea group (p < 0.05). LH and FSH also increased (p < 0.05).

The effect of Mentha spicata Labiatae on uterine tissue in rats
http://tih.sagepub.com/content/22/8/343.abstract

Twenty female Wistar albino rats weighing 160±10 g were used for this study. Rats were divided into two groups of ten animals: group I received no herbal tea (control group) and group II received 20 g/L M. spicata tea. Control group rats were given commercial drinking water (Hayat DANONESA water). Herbal tea was prepared daily and provided at all times to the rats over 30 days as drinking water. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. In addition, uterine tissues were submitted for histopathologic examination. MDA levels were increased in group II when compared with the control group. The difference between group II and the control group was statistically significant (P < 0.01). In the M. spicata Labiatae-treated group, histopathological changes like apoptosis and diffuse eosinophil leucocyte infiltration in surface and stromal glandular epithelium were observed in both endometrium and endocervix. It was concluded that lipid peroxidation and uterine damage occurs after M. spicata administration in rat uterus.

Effects of peppermint teas on plasma testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels and testicular tissue in rats
http://www.goldjournal.net/article/S0090-4295%2804%2900418-2/abstract

The experimental study included 48 male Wistar albino rats (body weight 200 to 250 g). The rats were randomized into four groups of 12 rats each. The control group was given commercial drinking water, and the experimental groups were given 20 g/L M. piperita tea, 20 g/L M. spicata tea, or 40 g/L M. spicata tea. The follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels had increased and total testosterone levels had decreased in the experimental groups compared with the control group; the differences were statistically significant. Also, the Johnsen testicular biopsy scores were significantly different statistically between the experimental groups and the control group. Although the mean seminiferous tubular diameter of the experimental groups was relatively greater than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. The only effects of M. piperita on testicular tissue was segmental maturation arrest in the seminiferous tubules; however, the effects of M. spicata extended from maturation arrest to diffuse germ cell aplasia in relation to the dose.

[TylerDurden]

Herbal teas aren't raw, so most of us don't bother. I still consume teas every now and then, but solely when in the company of SAD-eaters, barring 1 experiment a while back. Tea may not be ultra-healthy for me, it being heated, but it's way better than the Fanta, Coca-Cola and other stuff I used to drink pre-rawpalaeo.

[RawZi]

    What about habra nayeh ? ? ? (it's normally made with mint I skip the other spices)  I just bought a big bunch of mint and was going to make some.  It feels healthy to eat, every time I have.  I haven't noticed any effects.  I don't like parsley with meat, but mint, isn't it close to cat nip?  Is that supposed to be unhealthy too?  I have heard mint is bad for the thyroid, but again, this was from a person of a cooked household.

[Josh]

It's all relative. If you don't have a specific problem and don't eat it every day, fuck it.