[Lenneth]

Then after a couple months of that, I started to get severe pain in my esophagus every time I swallowed anything, and then realized it was the mint tea, so I stopped that completely and the pain went away. I tested it again after a week or two, and the same pain came back immediately. So just be aware if you do get any throat discomfort, it might be the tea. I think it can relax the lower muscles of the esophagus, also causing increased acid reflux.

Sounds more like a Allergic Reaction to either the mint or something else that may have been in with it as well.

I have a similar reaction when I am near farms that are harvesting alfalfa and creating a heavy alfalfa pollen dust in the air.

I had trouble finding spearmint locally too--only the local food co-op had it and it was VERY pricey.

Odd, I can buy it in 1/2lb bags locally mysellf for about $2.50 a bag, good quality leafs to.