Does peppermint oil work for IBS?

Peppermint oil is a type of medicine called an antispasmodic. It helps relieve stomach cramps, bloating and farting (flatulence), particularly if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It works by helping the muscle of the bowel wall to relax.

How do you use peppermint oil for IBS?

Adults: 0.2ml to 0.4ml of peppermint oil 3 times a day. Children ages 8 and up: 0.1ml to 0.2ml of peppermint oil 3 times a day.

Can peppermint oil make IBS worse?

More recently, an analysis from the July 2019 BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies indicated that, in 12 randomized trials that included 835 patients, peppermint oil was a safe and effective option for abdominal pain and overall symptoms (such as constipation and diarrhea) among adults with IBS.

Does peppermint stop IBS?

A major study from 1998 hinted that peppermint oil could be somewhat useful in the treatment of IBS symptoms. Other research since then has confirmed that finding. In 2014, researchers concluded in a meta-analysis that peppermint oil is a safe and effective short-term treatment for IBS.

Does rubbing peppermint oil on your stomach help with IBS?

Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) has been shown to reduce cramping, pain, and other IBS symptoms in 12 randomized trials .

Peppermint Oil for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How long should you take peppermint oil for IBS?

How long can I take it for? If you buy peppermint oil from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for longer than 2 weeks. Speak to your doctor if you still have symptoms. If your doctor has prescribed peppermint oil, they may recommend that you take it for longer than 2 weeks.

Does peppermint oil make you poop?

Peppermint oil

Peppermint essential oil contains antispasmodic properties, which can relax the muscles in the digestive tract, making the bowels looser. This can help relieve constipation.

Can I take peppermint oil daily?

When used as directed, dietary supplements and skin preparations containing peppermint oil are likely safe for most adults. Peppermint oil may cause side effects such as heartburn and it may interact with certain medications. Talk to your health care provider before using peppermint oil.

Can peppermint oil hurt your stomach?

Possible side effects of peppermint oil taken orally include heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. Rarely, peppermint oil can cause allergic reactions. Capsules containing peppermint oil are often enteric-coated to reduce the likelihood of heartburn.

Can I rub peppermint oil on my stomach?

Peppermint oil is very helpful in digestion as it has a carminative property of expelling gas (from the stomach or intestines so as to relieve flatulence or abdominal pain or distension). Massage several drops on your abdomen, place a drop on wrists or inhale to soothe motion sickness or general nausea.

How do you treat IBS permanently?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not curable. There is no medicine that you can take that will stop IBS. However, IBS symptoms may lessen, go away for a while, or even go away altogether.

How do you use peppermint oil for bloating?

You can rub two or three drops of peppermint essential oil between your hands and inhale it. You can also add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a carrier oil and rub it on the abdominal area, with circular motion. It will calm the stomach and intestine muscles, helping you pass gas easier.

What is the best over the counter medicine for IBS?

Why is peppermint not good for you?

The menthol in peppermint can cause adverse side effects in large amounts. While it's difficult to consume too much menthol by drinking peppermint tea, it's not recommended for people with certain health conditions. Peppermint can help with digestion and stomach pain but can worsen acid reflux.

Who should not use peppermint oil?

People with a specific enzyme deficiency, called G6PD deficiency, should avoid using peppermint as an extract or oil in aromatherapy. People taking certain medications. Peppermint oil aromatherapy can inhibit an enzyme called CYP3A4, which is responsible for breaking down many types of medication.

Can you use too much peppermint oil?

Large Doses Lead To Risk Of Seizures

If you are experiencing nausea, difficulty in breathing, slowed heartbeat, dizziness, and/or convulsions, then it could be because of using peppermint oil. Call in for medical care at the earliest to avoid complications.

Is peppermint an anti-inflammatory?

Peppermint has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, peppermint tea may fight clogged sinuses due to infections, the common cold and allergies ( 15 ).

Should you take peppermint oil before or after food?

The usual dose is one or two capsules taken three times each day. If possible, take the capsules about an hour or so before meals - you should not take them straight after food. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Do not open or chew the capsules.

How many drops of peppermint oil can I drink?

Peppermint oil dosage

It's generally recommended that adults can take between 0.2 to 0.4ml of peppermint oil in capsule form up to three times a day.

How do you take peppermint oil internally?

To help relieve IBS symptoms, try taking one to two drops of peppermint oil internally with a glass of water or adding it to a capsule before meals. You can also apply two to three drops topically to your abdomen.

How do you use peppermint oil for constipation?

Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is the component that gives it a “cooling” effect. To relieve stomach discomfort and mild constipation, combine one drop of peppermint oil with 3 to 4 drops of a warmed carrier oil and massage the abdomen.

Does peppermint stop diarrhea?

Peppermint (Mentha piperita), a popular flavoring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, is also used to soothe an upset stomach or to aid digestion. It has a calming and numbing effect, and is often used to treat headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, flatulence, and anxiety associated with depression.

Does IBS cause pain everyday?

For many people with IBS, abdominal pain is frequent. For some it is continuous. People contacting IFFGD about severe pain have described it using words like: excruciating, unbearable, constant, intense, or awful.

Do probiotics help IBS?

Probiotics can effectively treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) unless you also suffer from small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). If you have SIBO, probiotics may worsen your digestive discomfort. If you test negative for SIBO, probiotics are an excellent treatment option for IBS.

What does stool look like with IBS?

Blood in stool may appear red but often appears very dark or black with a tarry consistency ( 12 ). SUMMARY: IBS changes the time stool remains in your intestines. This changes the amount of water in stool, giving it a range from loose and watery to hard and dry.