If you have heard about spearmint tea for PCOS, hormonal health, digestion, or simply as a caffeine-free drink, you may be wondering: what exactly is spearmint tea in Urdu, and is it the same as the pudina commonly used in Pakistan?
Spearmint is a type of mint with the botanical name Mentha spicata. In Urdu and everyday Pakistani usage, mint is commonly called pudina (پودینہ), so spearmint tea may be referred to as pudina ki chai (پودینے کی چائے). However, “pudina” is also used broadly for different varieties of mint. If you specifically want spearmint, the most reliable way to identify it is to look for Mentha spicata on the plant or product label.
Spearmint tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal drink with a fresh, mildly sweet mint flavour. It has attracted particular interest because small human studies have investigated its possible effects on androgen hormones in women with hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Spearmint Tea in Urdu: Quick Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Spearmint tea in Urdu | پودینے کی چائے — Pudina ki chai |
| Spearmint in Urdu/common usage | پودینہ — Pudina |
| Botanical name | Mentha spicata |
| Type | Herbal mint infusion |
| Contains caffeine? | No, naturally caffeine-free |
| Is it the same as peppermint? | No |
| Can fresh leaves be used? | Yes |
| Main area of research | Androgen levels, hirsutism and PCOS |
What Is Spearmint Tea?
Spearmint tea is an herbal infusion prepared by steeping fresh or dried leaves of the Mentha spicata plant in hot water.
Spearmint belongs to the mint family, but it is not exactly the same as every plant commonly called pudina. It usually has a milder, slightly sweeter taste than peppermint and does not produce the same intense cooling sensation.
Because spearmint tea does not naturally contain caffeine, some people use it as an alternative to black tea, green tea or coffee, particularly later in the day.
What Is Spearmint Tea Called in Urdu?
The simplest spearmint tea meaning in Urdu is:
Spearmint tea = پودینے کی چائے (Pudina ki chai)
Spearmint itself is commonly described as pudina (پودینہ) in Pakistan and other parts of South Asia.
There is one important distinction, however. In everyday language, pudina can be used as a general word for mint rather than one exact botanical species. Therefore, the mint growing at home or sold at a vegetable market is not automatically guaranteed to be Mentha spicata.
If you are purchasing spearmint specifically for tea, look for:
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Spearmint
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Mentha spicata
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Spearmint leaves
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100% spearmint herbal tea
on the packaging.
Is Spearmint the Same as Pudina?
Spearmint is a type of pudina or mint, but the word “pudina” does not always identify one specific mint species.
This distinction matters because different mint plants have different concentrations of natural compounds and slightly different tastes.
For ordinary cooking, the difference may not be important. But if you are specifically interested in the research on spearmint tea for PCOS or androgen levels, you should look for Mentha spicata, because that is the plant used in published spearmint studies.
Spearmint vs Peppermint: What Is the Difference?
Spearmint and peppermint are related, but they are not the same plant.
| Feature | Spearmint | Peppermint |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Mentha spicata | Mentha × piperita |
| Taste | Mild, slightly sweet | Stronger and cooler |
| Cooling sensation | Gentle | Much more pronounced |
| Typical use | Tea, food, sauces, herbal preparations | Tea, flavouring, menthol-rich products |
| PCOS research | Spearmint has been studied | Cannot automatically be substituted for spearmint |
If your purpose is to reproduce the type of tea used in spearmint studies, choose Mentha spicata rather than peppermint tea.

How to Identify Spearmint?
You do not need to become a botanist to buy spearmint tea, but knowing what to check can prevent confusion.
Spearmint typically has green, textured leaves with toothed edges and a fresh mint aroma. Its flavour is generally less intensely cooling than peppermint.
When buying packaged tea, the ingredient list is more reliable than the product's marketing name. Look for:
Ingredient: Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
If a packet simply says “mint tea” without naming the species, it may contain spearmint, peppermint or a mixture of different mint varieties.
Spearmint Tea Benefits:

Spearmint contains several plant compounds, including rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. Much of the public interest in spearmint tea, however, comes from research into androgen hormones and hirsutism in women.
It is important to separate promising findings from proven medical treatment. Many claims about spearmint circulating online go further than the available evidence.
1. Spearmint Tea May Affect Androgen Levels:
The most interesting human evidence concerns androgen hormones such as testosterone.
A 2007 clinical study included 21 women with hirsutism. Participants drank spearmint tea twice daily for five days. Researchers observed a significant reduction in free testosterone, although total testosterone did not significantly decrease during the short study period. The researchers also emphasized that further studies were needed.
This does not mean spearmint tea should be considered a hormone treatment, but it provides a scientific basis for why researchers continued studying the herb.
2. Spearmint Tea May Be Useful to Study in Women With PCOS:
PCOS is a hormonal condition that can be associated with elevated androgen activity, irregular periods, acne and excess facial or body hair.
A later randomized controlled trial studied 42 women over 30 days. Participants consumed spearmint tea twice daily or a placebo herbal tea. Free and total testosterone decreased significantly in the spearmint group during the study.
These findings are promising, but the study was small and lasted only one month. Spearmint tea should therefore be viewed as a possible complementary dietary option, not a replacement for diagnosis or evidence-based PCOS treatment.
3. Does Spearmint Tea Reduce Facial Hair?
The answer requires some nuance.
In the 30-day PCOS study, participants reported improvement in their perception of hirsutism, while researchers also observed changes in androgen levels. However, there was no statistically significant improvement in objective facial-hair scores during the short trial period.
That makes biological sense: existing hair does not disappear immediately when hormone levels change, and hair-growth cycles take time.
So claims such as “spearmint tea removes facial hair in a few weeks” are not supported by the available evidence.
Women experiencing new or significant facial hair growth should also consider medical evaluation because hirsutism can have several underlying causes.
4. Spearmint Contains Antioxidant Plant Compounds:
Spearmint contains naturally occurring compounds such as rosmarinic acid and flavonoids with antioxidant activity.
Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative processes. However, this should not be interpreted to mean that drinking spearmint tea has been proven to prevent chronic disease.
The more useful takeaway is simple: spearmint is a plant-based beverage that contains several biologically active compounds and can be included as part of a varied diet.
5. Spearmint May Have Anti-Inflammatory Potential:
Rosmarinic acid has also attracted interest because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
One randomized 16-week study investigated commercially available spearmint tea and a specially developed high-rosmarinic-acid spearmint tea in adults with knee osteoarthritis.
Stiffness and physical-disability scores improved in both tea groups, while significant pain reduction was observed within the high-rosmarinic-acid group. The researchers considered the high-rosmarinic-acid tea worthy of further study as a complementary approach.
This does not mean an ordinary cup of spearmint tea should be considered a treatment for arthritis or joint pain.
6. Spearmint Tea May Be a Comfortable After-Meal Drink:
Mint has a long history of use for digestive comfort, which is one reason mint teas are commonly consumed after meals.
However, evidence specifically proving that ordinary spearmint tea alone treats digestive disorders remains limited.
If you simply enjoy it after eating, it can be a refreshing caffeine-free drink. People who notice that mint worsens heartburn or reflux should reduce or avoid it.
7. It Is a Naturally Caffeine-Free Alternative:
One of the simplest benefits of spearmint tea is also one of the most practical: it is naturally caffeine-free.
That makes it an option for people trying to reduce:
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Coffee
-
Black tea
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Energy drinks
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Evening caffeine intake
Unlike many heavily promoted herbal benefits, this advantage does not depend on treating a medical condition.
Spearmint Tea for PCOS: What Does the Research Actually Say?
Spearmint tea has become particularly popular among women with PCOS because PCOS can involve higher androgen activity.
The available human studies provide an interesting signal.
A five-day study in women with hirsutism reported a decrease in free testosterone after twice-daily spearmint tea. A 30-day randomized trial involving women with PCOS found reductions in free and total testosterone in the spearmint group.
But there are important limitations:
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The studies involved relatively small numbers of participants.
-
Treatment periods were short.
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Changes in hormone levels do not automatically mean all PCOS symptoms will improve.
-
Objective facial-hair reduction was not demonstrated during the 30-day trial.
-
Large, long-term clinical trials are still needed.
Can You Use Spearmint Tea Instead of PCOS Medicine?
No.
PCOS can affect menstrual cycles, fertility, metabolic health and other aspects of wellbeing. Treatment depends on the individual and may include lifestyle changes, medicines or other medical care.
Spearmint tea can be discussed as a dietary addition, but it should not replace treatment recommended by a qualified healthcare professional.
How to Make Spearmint Tea at Home?
Spearmint tea is simple to prepare.
Using Fresh Spearmint Leaves:
Ingredients:
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5–7 fresh spearmint leaves
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1 cup of hot water
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Lemon or honey, optional
Method:
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Wash the fresh leaves.
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Place them in a cup or teapot.
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Pour approximately one cup of hot water over the leaves.
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Cover and steep for about 5–7 minutes.
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Strain the tea.
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Add lemon or a small amount of honey if desired.
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Drink warm or allow it to cool for iced spearmint tea.
Using Dried Spearmint Leaves:
Use approximately 1 tablespoon of dried spearmint leaves per cup of water, adjusting the amount according to the strength of the dried product.
Add hot water, cover and steep for around five minutes before straining.
If you are using commercially prepared spearmint tea bags, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Can You Add Honey or Lemon?
Yes.
Honey and lemon are commonly added for flavour and do not change the basic preparation of spearmint tea.
Avoid assuming that adding honey, lemon, ginger or other ingredients makes the drink more effective for PCOS. These additions are mainly about taste unless there is evidence for a specific health purpose.
How Much Spearmint Tea Should You Drink?
There is no universally established medical dose of spearmint tea for the general population.
The small clinical studies investigating androgen-related effects generally used spearmint tea twice daily.
That does not mean everyone needs two cups per day or that drinking more will produce stronger results.
For most people who simply enjoy spearmint as an herbal drink, moderate consumption makes more sense than excessive intake.
If you intend to drink spearmint regularly specifically because of a hormonal or medical condition, discuss it with your doctor rather than treating tea as a substitute for medical care.
What Is the Best Time to Drink Spearmint Tea?
There is currently no strong evidence that spearmint tea becomes more effective for hormonal health when consumed at a particular hour.
You can drink it:
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In the morning as a caffeine-free drink
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After meals if you enjoy mint tea
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In the afternoon instead of regular tea
-
In the evening because it naturally contains no caffeine
For PCOS, consistency rather than a particular time of day was the relevant feature of the small clinical studies, which used twice-daily consumption.
Spearmint Tea Side Effects and Precautions:
Spearmint tea is consumed as a common herbal beverage, but “natural” does not mean that unlimited quantities are suitable for everyone.
Acid Reflux and Heartburn:
Mint can worsen reflux or heartburn in some people. If you consistently notice burning, discomfort or regurgitation after drinking mint tea, reduce your intake or avoid it.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
Normal dietary exposure and concentrated herbal use are not necessarily the same thing.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to consume large amounts of spearmint tea regularly, ask your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional whether it is appropriate for you.
Hormone-Related Conditions:
Because small studies suggest spearmint may influence androgen levels, people with hormone-related medical conditions should not use concentrated or excessive amounts as a self-treatment without medical advice.
Medicines and Existing Health Conditions:
If you take regular medicines or have a chronic health condition, tell your healthcare provider about herbal products you use regularly, particularly if you intend to consume them in larger-than-normal dietary amounts.
Can Men Drink Spearmint Tea?
Yes, men can drink spearmint tea as an herbal beverage.
However, because research in women has raised questions about possible anti-androgen effects, men sometimes worry that an occasional cup will significantly lower testosterone.
Current human research is not sufficient to conclude that normal spearmint tea consumption causes clinically meaningful testosterone reduction in healthy men.
The safest conclusion is therefore not “men must avoid spearmint,” but also not “spearmint can never affect hormones.” Anyone considering very high or concentrated intake for a health purpose should seek professional advice.
Where Can You Find Spearmint Tea in Pakistan?
Spearmint tea is increasingly available in Pakistan through:
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Supermarkets
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Herbal stores
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Tea retailers
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Pharmacies with herbal-product sections
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Online marketplaces
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Dried-herb sellers
When buying it specifically for spearmint rather than general mint tea, check the ingredient list.
The clearest label is:
Spearmint — Mentha spicata
Do not rely only on the word “pudina”, because different mint varieties may be sold under the same general local name.
Spearmint Tea in Urdu: Quick Summary
Spearmint tea is an herbal infusion made from Mentha spicata leaves. In Urdu and common Pakistani usage, spearmint is associated with pudina (پودینہ), and spearmint tea may be called pudina ki chai (پودینے کی چائے).
However, not every mint called pudina is necessarily the exact Mentha spicata species.
Spearmint tea has attracted scientific interest primarily because small human studies suggest it may influence androgen levels in women with hirsutism or PCOS. Research is promising but still limited, particularly when it comes to long-term symptom improvement.
For most people, spearmint tea can simply be enjoyed as a refreshing, naturally caffeine-free herbal beverage.
Final Takeaway:
If you are searching for spearmint tea in Urdu, the key name to remember is pudina (پودینہ), while the key botanical name is Mentha spicata.
The botanical name matters because several varieties of mint may be called pudina in everyday Pakistani language.
Spearmint tea is a refreshing, caffeine-free herbal drink, and early research into PCOS and hirsutism suggests it may influence certain androgen hormones. However, studies remain small, and spearmint tea should not be marketed or used as a cure for PCOS, facial hair, hormonal imbalance or any other medical condition.
If you simply enjoy mint tea, it can be an easy addition to your routine. If you are drinking it specifically to manage a health condition, combine reliable information with advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
1. What is spearmint tea called in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, spearmint tea is commonly referred to as pudina tea or pudina ki chai (پودینے کی چائے). However, pudina is a broad term used for different types of mint, so look for Spearmint or Mentha spicata on the label if you want the specific variety.
2. Are pudina and spearmint the same?
Spearmint is a type of pudina, but not every pudina plant is necessarily spearmint. The botanical name for spearmint is Mentha spicata, while the word pudina is commonly used for several mint varieties in Pakistan.
3. What is another name for spearmint tea?
Spearmint tea may also be called mint tea, spearmint herbal tea, or pudina tea. For accurate identification, especially when buying packaged tea, check that the ingredients mention Mentha spicata.
4. What not to mix with spearmint?
There is no well-established list of ordinary foods or drinks that must not be mixed with spearmint tea. However, people taking regular medicines or using other herbal products for hormonal conditions should speak with a healthcare professional before consuming large amounts of spearmint regularly.
5. Which tea is better for you, spearmint or peppermint?
Neither is universally better. Spearmint has been studied particularly for its possible effects on androgen levels in women with PCOS and hirsutism, while peppermint has a stronger cooling flavour and is a different mint species. Choose according to your purpose rather than assuming one is healthier than the other.
6. When not to drink spearmint tea?
You may need to avoid or limit spearmint tea if it worsens acid reflux or heartburn, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking regular medication, or managing a hormone-related medical condition. In these situations, regular or concentrated use is best discussed with a healthcare professional.
7. What tea is good for PCOS hormone balance?
Spearmint tea is one of the herbal teas most studied in relation to PCOS and androgen levels. Small human studies suggest that drinking spearmint tea twice daily may reduce free or total testosterone in some women, but the evidence is still limited. It should be considered a dietary addition rather than a treatment for PCOS or a replacement for prescribed care.