Peppermint Essential Oil for IBS: Are They Effective?

• Peppermint is a natural hybrid of two mint types (water mint and spearmint) that may be found growing wild throughout Europe and North America.
• Both peppermint plants and peppermint essential oil have been used to treat a variety of ailments.
• It is an essential oil obtained from the leaves and flowers of the peppermint plant.
• Essential oils are supersaturated oils containing chemicals that give plants their characteristic scent or flavour.
• Peppermint oil is used as a flavorful ingredient in foods and beverages, as well as a fragrance in detergents and pharmaceuticals.
• For thousands of years, peppermint has been utilised for medicinal purposes. It was utilised for stomach issues and other illnesses in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, according to records.
• Peppermint has a plethora of applications, ranging from cold treatments and toothpaste to ice cream and lip balm. 
• You may now add one more to the list, due to new research: alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Peppermint has been used as a herbal medicine for a variety of ailments for hundreds of years. 
• It’s been recommended as a treatment for anything from colds and headaches to gastrointestinal issues. 
• The statements made about IBS are backed up by scientific evidence. It has been shown in several trials to aid with common IBS symptoms such as discomfort, constipation, bloating, and gas. 
• In fact, some study suggests it may be more helpful than fibre and on par with antispasmodic medicines, commonly known as muscle relaxants.
• Brushing your teeth or eating another bowl of mint chips won’t make your symptoms go away. 
• It’s all about how you handle it. 
• If you want to use it, make sure to notify your doctor. 
• Because treating IBS may be complicated, they’ll need a full picture of what you’re doing and what works for you.

Types of Peppermint Oil

• extracts, a less concentrated form that can be used to flavour food capsules, may be used as nutritional supplements. Essential oils are a highly concentrated form used for aromatherapy or diluted and applied to the skin.
• It smells chilly and reviving. Its flavour is similar to the flavour of the original.
• Your tongue may have felt chilled after consuming anything with a peppermint flavour.
• Menthone and menthol make up its two primary chemical elements. On the other hand, there are others.

Capsules or Tea: Which is Better?

• To this time, the research has only looked at peppermint essential oil capsules, not peppermint leaves like those used in tea. 
• The oil is extracted from the plant’s stems, leaves, and flowers. 
• Peppermint tea is safe to consume, but only the capsules have been proven to be helpful. 
• Plus, you know exactly how much peppermint oil you’re getting with each dosage when you take capsules.
• Look for capsules that are enteric-coated. 
• The coating prevents the capsules from being broken down by stomach acids. 
• They won’t disintegrate until they reach your intestines this way. Heartburn is more likely to occur when capsules are not coated.

What Is the Process To Use Essential Oil

• Peppermint essential oil helps IBS symptoms in a way that researchers are still attempting to figure out. 
• So far, all indicators point to menthol, which is one of the components in peppermint. 
• Menthol is a cooling substance. 
• That’s why it’s in a lot of health-care products for things like chest congestion and muscular soreness.
• The nerves in your colon become extremely sensitive when you experience IBS symptoms. That’s what makes your stomach hurt. 
• Your colon’s muscles also have a tendency to overreact, generating even more pains. However, it appears that menthol can block pain receptors and relax colon muscles. 
• That’s a winning combination for IBS relief.

How much am I supposed to take?

• It differs between children and adults, and no study has been done for kids under the age of eight:
• Adults: peppermint oil, 0.2ml to 0.4ml three times every day
• Children from the age of eight onwards: peppermint oil, 0.1ml to 0.2ml three times every day
• If you take antacids, don’t take peppermint essential oil at the same time. 
• They can eat away at the coating on the capsules, causing heartburn. 
• Remember to swallow the pills rather than chew them.
• If a little peppermint essential  oil is good, you might believe a lot is better. This is not the case. You need the appropriate dose, just as with medicine. 
• Too much peppermint oil might disrupt your body’s ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and medications. 
• Extremely high dosages can be hazardous, resulting in renal failure.

What Are the Negative Consequences?

• Peppermint essential oil can have adverse side effects like any other plant or drug. 
• An allergic response is possible in certain persons. 
• Heartburn and a burning sensation around the anus are two more minor symptoms. 
• These signs and symptoms usually fade away fast.

Is it suitable for all ages?

The oil is safe for most people if they take the recommended amount. However, physicians advise against it if you have:

• Gallstones or an enlarged gallbladder can also cause gallbladder enlargement.
• A hiatal hernia is a hernia that develops in the stomach.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a severe form of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Consult your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. At normal doses, it’s probably safe. However, there hasn’t been much research into the topic.

Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.