Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Mint Lemon Water May Ease, Not Cure, Indigestion
Acharya Balkrishna suggests a drink made with mint, lemon, water and a little black salt.
People may drink it after a heavy meal.
Mint contains menthol, which may help relax the muscles in the gut.
This could reduce some cramps and gas.
However, most scientific studies used peppermint oil rather than fresh mint leaves.
Lemon makes the drink sour and may increase saliva, but there is not much strong research on lemon water and digestion.
Black salt is traditionally used for gas and bloating, but scientists have not shown that it cures indigestion.
The drink may help some people feel less heavy, but it should not be called a cure.
Acharya Balkrishna recommends mint, lemon, water and a pinch of black salt for weak digestion.
Mint’s menthol may relax gut muscles and ease cramps and gas, but research mainly involves peppermint oil.
A 2019 meta-analysis found peppermint oil reduced abdominal pain and overall irritable bowel syndrome symptoms better than placebo.
Lemon may increase saliva and add vitamin C, while strong human evidence for lemon water improving digestion is limited.
No study has tested this exact drink, and black salt has little clinical evidence for curing indigestion.
- Who
- Acharya Balkrishna recommended the drink; the evidence discussed concerns people with mild digestive discomfort.
- What
- A drink made from eight to ten mint leaves, half a lemon, water and a pinch of black salt is being assessed for digestion.
- When
- It is suggested for drinking fresh after a heavy meal.
- Where
- The drink is prepared and consumed at home; the article discusses its use in Indian households.
- Why
- It is intended to ease mild indigestion, cramps, gas, bloating or feelings of heaviness, although evidence for the exact recipe is limited.
Traditional and supportive view
Evidence-based caution
Does the drink improve digestion?
Traditional and supportive view
Mint, lemon and black salt are traditionally used after meals, and mint’s menthol may ease gut spasms, gas and cramps.
Evidence-based caution
The strongest evidence concerns peppermint oil rather than fresh mint, while lemon and black salt have limited clinical support.
Can it cure indigestion?
Traditional and supportive view
Supporters may view the drink as a simple home remedy that reduces heaviness and mild digestive discomfort.
Evidence-based caution
No study has tested the exact recipe, so the claim that it cures poor digestion is too strong.
- Ingredients
- Eight to ten mint leaves, one glass of water, half a lemon and a pinch of black salt.
- Mint evidence
- Peppermint oil studies suggest reductions in abdominal pain and overall irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
- Fresh mint limitation
- Fresh leaves in water provide a much lower dose than the peppermint oil used in most clinical research.
- Lemon evidence
- Lemon’s citric acid and sour taste may increase saliva, but strong human studies on lemon water and digestion are scarce.
- Black salt evidence
- Black salt is traditionally used for gas and bloating, but clinical research is very limited.
- Overall conclusion
- No trial has tested this exact recipe, so it may ease symptoms but cannot be described as a cure.