Brazilian mint tea ‘an excellent pain reliever’
An ancient herbal mint tea from Brazil is as good as commercial medicines at delivering pain relief, according to a new study.
The brew, which is made from the plant hyptis crenata, has been used for many years by Brazilian property owners and Latin American healers to cure headaches, fevers and flu.
Researchers at Newcastle University have now shown that there is scientific evidence to back up the claims after testing the remedy on mice.
Graciela Rocha, lead researcher at the university’s science school, said: "Since humans first walked the earth we have looked to plants to provide a cure for our ailments. In fact it is estimated more than 50,000 plants are used worldwide for medicinal purposes.
Brazilian-born Ms Rocha added that she remembers being given the tea as a cure when she was a child for every illness that she had.
Traditional medicines have been used in Brazil for hundreds of years, with many plants from different cultural groups and geographical areas, such as the Amazon, being taken for ailments.
