Peppermint Oil: A Natural Relief for IBS Symptoms
How Peppermint Oil Works for IBS:
Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be really tough. It’s a common disorder that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms like bloating, cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and overall abdominal pain or discomfort.
If you want to try a natural way to manage these symptoms, peppermint oil has shown promising results. Clinical trials and studies show that peppermint oil works better than a placebo in relieving IBS discomfort.
This article will describe in detail the benefits of peppermint oil for IBS, discuss how it works, the different forms available, and how to add it to your routine for relief.
We’ll also cover potential side effects and when to check with your doctor before using it. So, if you’re ready to take control of your IBS and find some relief, keep reading to learn how peppermint oil can help!
What is Peppermint?
Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. Peppermint belongs to a group of plants known as the mint family. Peppermint is made of leaves and stems that contain menthol.
Menthol is a volatile oil used as a fragrance for cosmetic products, and flavor in food and medical purposes. Peppermint is commonly known as peppermint or peppermint oil.
The available forms of peppermint include:
- Dry leaves that you can buy in the local market or supermarket
- Creams and ointments applied on the skin
- Enteric-coated capsules are recommended for treating IBS
- Peppermint spirit, a solution that contains 10% peppermint oil and 1%peppermint leaf extract.
About Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is an essential oil extracted from the floral parts and leaves of the peppermint plant. Essential oils give a plant its smell and flavor. The essential oil in peppermint is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetic products.
Peppermint oil capsules are used to improve IBS symptoms in adults. They are also used to reduce abdominal pains in some children.
Mentha Piperita works by blocking the calcium levels in the smooth muscle. The mint oil performs anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulating functions to help treat IBS.
Peppermint oil eccentric coated capsules are known for reducing heartburn. Due to the mint oil muscle's relaxing effects, it relieves menstrual cramps.
Essential oils for IBS:
Anise (Pimpinella anisum, a member of the mint family) is known for its licorice-like scent and has antispasmodic properties. Used in ancient Persian medicine for bowel disorders, it's now available in enteric-coated gelatin capsules for IBS treatment.
A clinical trial with 120 patients showed anise effectively reduced symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux. It also showed promise in alleviating depression.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, Fennel and mint are well-known for relaxing digestive muscles), similar to anise in its licorice-like aroma, was studied alongside curcumin (derived from turmeric) in capsules given to individuals with mild to moderate IBS symptoms.
This combination leveraged curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties and fennel's ability to ease spasms, resulting in reduced abdominal pain and enhanced quality of life compared to a placebo.
Benefits of Peppermint Oil for IBS:
Peppermint oil is an essential oil extracted from the floral parts and leaves of the peppermint plant. Essential oils give a plant its smell and flavor. The essential oil in peppermint is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetic products.
Peppermint oil capsules are used to improve IBS symptoms in adults. They are also used to reduce abdominal pains in some children.
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) works by blocking the calcium levels in the smooth muscle. The mint oil performs anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulating functions to help treat IBS.
Peppermint oil eccentric coated capsules are known for reducing heartburn. Due to the mint oil muscle's relaxing effects, it relieves menstrual cramps.
How do I use peppermint essential oil for IBS?
To use peppermint oil for managing IBS symptoms, you have multiple options there. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your routine:
Peppermint Oil Capsules:
Dosage: Typically, it's recommended to take one or two enteric-coated capsules (containing 0.2 ml to 0.4 ml of peppermint oil) up to three times a day.
When: Take the capsules about 30 to 60 minutes before meals to prevent symptoms triggered by eating.
Peppermint Tea:
Making: Steep one peppermint tea bag or one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
Consumption: Drink the tea two to three times a day between meals.
Peppermint Oil Drops:
Dosage: Mix one to two drops of peppermint oil to a glass of water.
Consumption: Drink this mixture once or twice a day. Be cautious with the dosage, as peppermint oil is very effective.
Peppermint Lozenges:
Usage: Suck on peppermint lozenges as needed for relief. These can help soothe digestive discomfort on the go.
Tips for Using Peppermint Oil:
Enteric-Coated Capsules (nutritional supplement): These are designed to pass through the stomach and dissolve in the intestines, reducing the risk of heartburn and irritation.
Everyday: Regular use is often needed to see significant improvements in symptoms.
Consultation: Before starting any new supplement, it’s a good idea to discuss to your doctor, especially if you have other health conditions or are taking other medications.
Possible Side Effects of Peppermint Oil
You may experience the following side effects when you take peppermint oil orally:\
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
The mint oil should not be applied on the face of infants and younger children. They may experience breathing problems once they inhale the menthol. You may experience the following side effects if you apply peppermint oil to the skin:
- Skin rashes
- Itching
Who Should Avoid Peppermint?
Peppermint is not safe for all. It is recommended that you consult your doctor if you want to consume the plant product for health purposes. The following groups of people should not use peppermint:
You should not take peppermint if you have GERD(Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Peppermint relaxes the sphincter muscles that separate the stomach and the esophagus, thereby allowing the stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. This increases the severity of indigestion and heartburn symptoms.
There is not enough research showing that consuming large amounts of mint can be harmful to pregnant women. Pregnant women take mint tea to reduce nausea, however, consult a doctor before using peppermint products or consuming it as food or drink.
Peppermint also worsens gallstone symptoms
Peppermint works by relaxing your digestive system and preventing the contraction of smooth muscles. This reduces pain, gas, and bloating and relieves spasms in your esophagus.
Peppermint is preferred to treat IBS compared to placebo. The mint plant relieves IBS symptoms faster and better than placebo.
People undergoing chemotherapy are recommended to use peppermint oil scent. It helps in reducing nausea, and vomiting.
The mint plant is used as a headache and migraine reliever. It relaxes the muscles and increases the flow of blood therefore easing pain. mint oil drops administered through the nose also ease headache pain.
FAQ
How to take peppermint oil for IBS
You should take 1 or 2 capsules of peppermint oil 3 times daily. It is recommended that you take your treatment an hour before taking your meals. The capsules start working in a few hours but it takes a few weeks to get the full effectiveness.
What are peppermint oil capsules good for?
Peppermint oil capsule is an antispasmodic medicine prescribed for people with IBS. It helps in relaxing the stomach muscles therefore helps in relieving bloating, farting, and stomach cramps.
The best time to take peppermint oil capsules
The best time to take peppermint oil capsules is 1 hour before having your meals. Ensure a minimum of 2 hours between ingesting peppermint oil and taking indigestion medication for the peppermint oil capsules to be effective.
How to make peppermint oil
- Get some fresh leaves from the mint plant or buy fresh peppermint herbs from the grocery store
- Get the Carrier oil of your choice.
- Place the herbal leaves in a pestle and crush them gently using a mortar.
- Place the crushed spearmint leaves in a jar, and add your carrier to ensure the leaves are entirely covered.
- Only add a little carrier oil to avoid getting diluted essential oil.
- Let your oil settle for 24 hours or 3 days depending on the consistency of your choice.
- Lastly, sieve the peppermint leaves to obtain peppermint essential oil.
What does peppermint tea help with?
Menthol present in peppermint has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that open the nasal passages. Mint tea helps in reducing flu and cold symptoms.
Mint herbal tea relaxes stomach muscles and enables the flow of bile juice that aids in food digestion.
How many cups of mint tea should you take in a day?
Peppermint herbal tea has no caffeine. Studies show that taking 2-3 cups of mint tea can be good for your health.
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-ibs#benefits
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/peppermint
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/peppermint-oil-benefits#when-to-see-a-doctor
