How many drops of peppermint oil should I take for IBS?

The usual dose of peppermint oil is 1 or 2 capsules, taken 3 times a day. It's best to take it around 1 hour before meals. Wait at least 2 hours between taking a dose of peppermint oil and taking an indigestion medicine.


How much peppermint oil can you take per day?

How Much Do I Take? It varies for kids and adults, and there hasn't been any research for kids under 8: 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.

How many drops of peppermint oil should I use?

Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.


How can I help myself with IBS?

Keep reading to learn more about the treatment options that can help people cope with and reduce IBS symptoms.
  1. Diet alterations. Foods are a commonly reported trigger of uncomfortable IBS symptoms. ...
  2. Increase physical activity. ...
  3. Reduce stress. ...
  4. Try IBS medications. ...
  5. Consider psychological interventions.


What happens if you take too much peppermint oil?

Its side effects are claimed to be usually mild and minimally toxic (gastro esophageal reflux, heartburns, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and diarrhea). High doses could be hepatotoxic[2] and nephrotoxic (rarely interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure).


Discussion on Peppermint Oil to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome



Can you drink straight peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil appears to be safe when taken orally (by mouth) or applied topically in the doses commonly used. Peppermint oil has been safely used in many clinical trials. Possible side effects of peppermint oil taken orally include heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth.

Which peppermint oil is best for IBS?

IBGard is a specific peppermint oil supplement that Jill Deutsch, MD, recommends to many of her patients with IBS. “IBGard is marketed as a peppermint oil supplement that acts premeal to help reduce gastrointestinal spasm that can cause pain in relation to eating, which is a hallmark of IBS symptoms,” says Dr.

What to take to stop an IBS flare up?

Change Your Diet

You can also eat plenty of nuts and seeds like flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds. These foods are anti-inflammatory and will help with the bloating and pain. Some patients have found that ingesting small doses of peppermint oil helps with IBS flare ups.


What stops an IBS flare up?

An IBS flare-up can be frustrating and may cause a range of digestive symptoms. If you're experiencing a flare, there are several at-home remedies you can try, such as gut-directed hypnotherapy, removing high-FODMAP foods from your diet, heat therapy, avoiding caffeine, exercising, and reducing stress.

Is there an over the counter drug for IBS?

Your provider may recommend or prescribe these medications to treat IBS-D: OTC fiber supplements, such as psyllium (Metamucil) and calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon) OTC loperamide (Imodium A-D) Eluxadoline (Viberzi)

Can I drink a drop of peppermint oil in water?

Peppermint essential oil is another oil commonly added to water, and ideal for a refreshing drink on a hot day. It can be soothing and aid in digestion.


Can you take peppermint oil before bed?

The menthol component of peppermint causes your muscles to relax, relieving stress and anxiety, which both add up to allowing you to gain more restful sleep.

Does peppermint oil help with gas and bloating?

Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Several studies suggest that enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules -- which allow the oil to pass through the stomach so it can dissolve in the intestines -- may help relieve common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.

Can peppermint oil make IBS worse?

In 2014, researchers concluded in a meta-analysis that peppermint oil is a safe and effective short-term treatment for IBS. They found minimal side effects, the most common being heartburn.


What does peppermint oil do for your intestines?

Peppermint oil relaxes the smooth muscle cells that line much of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been most extensively studied as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and indigestion.

What happens if you take peppermint oil after eating?

If you eat first, you can burp up peppermint oil, and it can also cause heartburn. I have been taking this for years. Helpful?

How do I reset my digestive system with IBS?

Eat fermented foods.

Include plenty of probiotic-rich foods like kimchi, kombucha, miso, or sauerkraut. Sometimes, you can also eat yogurt if you are not allergic to dairy. Try unsweetened sheep or goat yogurt. These are all foods that help your gut flora get and stay healthy.


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.

What causes IBS to worsen?

But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks. Stress. Most people with IBS experience worse or more-frequent symptoms during periods of increased stress.

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for IBS?

Some over-the-counter options to consider are:
  • Magnesium. ...
  • Triphala. ...
  • Stool softeners. ...
  • Calcium. ...
  • Loperamide (Imodium) ...
  • Digestive enzymes. ...
  • Probiotics. ...
  • Peppermint oil. This herbal remedy can help to relieve abdominal pain by calming the muscles in the digestive tract.


Where is IBS pain located?

The chronic pain (pain lasting 6 months or longer) in IBS can be felt anywhere in the abdomen (belly), though is most often reported in the lower abdomen. It may be worsened soon after eating, and relieved or at times worsened after a bowel movement. It is not always predictable and may change over time.

Which probiotics help IBS?

Most probiotics used in IBS treatment fall under two main groups: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These probiotics are thought to assist the digestive system. Among other functions, they may strengthen the intestinal barrier, assist the immune system in removing harmful bacteria, and break down nutrients.

Can you take peppermint oil everyday?

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. For headache relief, apply 10% of peppermint essential oil diluted with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, sparingly to the skin.


What is the best essential oil for IBS?

Essential Oils for IBS
  • Peppermint: Recommended for abdominal pain and to ease abdominal spasms.
  • Ginger: Recommended for gas relief.
  • Fennel: Recommended for constipation.
  • Lemon: Recommended for heartburn.
  • Oregano: Recommended for its antibacterial properties (effect on gut bacteria).


Is peppermint oil hard on your stomach?

Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. (The sphincter is the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach.) By relaxing the sphincter, peppermint may actually worsen the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.