Peppermint Oil May Reduce Nausea
Simply inhaling the scent of peppermint oil or applying a few drops of peppermint oil to a cool damp washcloth and applying to the forehead has been shown to alleviate nausea in pregnant parents, patients receiving chemotherapy, and patients recovering from surgery.
In a 2020 study, hospitalized patients could choose to treat their nausea with either peppermint oil alone or peppermint oil and a prescription anti-nausea medicine. Both groups experienced nausea relief, but those who chose peppermint oil alone had significantly more improvement. However, the quality of the study is somewhat lacking.
“I extrapolate this data to support using inhaled peppermint oil as an option to treat my primary care patients that may have nausea due to migraines, stomach viruses, food poisoning, or other conditions,” says Ravindra.
According to Ravindra, the same muscle-relaxing qualities that peppermint oil offers for headaches are likely responsible for its nausea-relieving abilities.” It is also possible that the act of slow, deep breathing while inhaling peppermint oil is actually responsible for some of the perceived effects,” Ravindra says.
Does Peppermint Oil Help With Ibs
Peppermint oil has been investigated as a treatment for IBS in studies spanning several decades. There is relatively strong evidence that it is effective in improving the overall and specific symptoms of IBS.
The most extensive review peppermint oil included data from over 800 patients from twelve clinical trials. The review showed IBS symptoms were 44% less common in patients who took peppermint oil group compared to those who took a placebo.
In a review by the British Medical Journal, almost 400 IBS patients were assigned either a peppermint oil capsule or a placebo. Those receiving treatment were 2.5 times more likely to improve symptoms than those taking placebo.
Another meta-analysis from 2014 looked at nine studies of over 700 patients and showed peppermint oil was superior to placebo in reducing IBS. One adverse effect of peppermint treatment was that patients more commonly reported heartburn than in the control group.
However, a well-constructed randomized controlled trial from 2019 showed no difference in abdominal pain responses between peppermint oil and placebo. The authors concluded that peppermint oil did not meet the strict criteria for statistical significance. But as suggested by the authors, this negative result may be due to the small sample of 190 patients.
Peppermint Oil For Ibs
Peppermint oil is an effective treatment option for IBS, particularly acute bouts of IBS, because peppermint oil naturally helps normalize gut motility by relaxing gastrointestinal smooth muscle tissues through blockade of cellular Ca2+ channels. What this means is that peppermint oil helps to restore regular and consistent peristaltic waves of smooth muscle activity in the digestive system.
IBS is characterized by digestive peristaltic waves that are ever changing. Sometimes these waves that move food through the gut are too frequent, other times they are too slow. The waves can also be too weak or too strong. What is desirable is for peristaltic waves to be regular and consistent in strength and frequency.
IBS is often treated with antispasmodic drugs, but research studies have shown that peppermint oil is as effective as antispasmodic drugs in treating IBS but better tolerated with less adverse events occurring. As a natural carminative , peppermint oil also reduces the very common IBS symptoms of bloating and gas and also significantly reduces abdominal pain from IBS
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Use Organic Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils
Look for oils that are organic, or therapeutic grade. Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration doesnt regulate essential oils, so its important to do your due diligence when buying.
Some essential oils are diluted with ingredients you may not want. Always check the ingredient list before buying. Research your manufacturer and aim to use those in North America. Some essential oils can be contaminated with heavy metals or may not be an actual essential oil.
Peppermint Essential Oil For Ibs
Peppermint essential oil is a highly concentrated liquid that is extracted from peppermint leaves through steam distillation. When it comes to essential oils for IBS, peppermint is the number one option.
Peppermint has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for digestive problems. It has been used in tea form to quell an upset stomach. But when it comes to IBS, peppermint essential oil is the one that has been proven to help, according to many studies.
In this 2005 study, researchers concluded, Taking into account the currently available drug treatments for IBS, peppermint oilmay be the drug of first choice in IBS patients with non-serious constipation or diarrhea to alleviate general symptoms and to improve quality of life.
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Enterology, researchers found that peppermint oil is a safe and effective short-term treatment for IBS.
This 2007 study concluded that a 4 weeks treatment with peppermint oil improves abdominal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Peppermint essential oil is useful in treating IBS because of anti-spasmodic properties that help ease the intestinal spasms that cause pain, abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. It also helps curb nausea and reduce stress that leads to IBS flareups.
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Peppermint Oil Can Be Used As A Treatment For Ibs
Irritable-bowel syndrome is a complex disease with multiple factors contributing to its symptoms, so the best treatment will vary from patient to patient.
But in addition to diet and lifestyle changes, doctors often recommend peppermint oil capsules before moving on to prescription medicines, according to Robert Shulman, MD, a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist and professor of pediatric nutrition at the Baylor College of Medicine.
The use of peppermint oil to treat IBS symptoms, especially abdominal pain, has been supported in multiple human clinical trials. A 2019 meta-analysis found that people with IBS who took peppermint oil were 2.4 times more likely to experience overall symptom relief compared to those given placebo, and 1.8 times more likely to experience abdominal pain relief in particular.
There are virtually no prescription medications approved to treat IBS in children, Shulman says, so he often recommends peppermint oil to his pediatric patients.
Peppermint oil may help IBS in a number of ways, Shulman says. Although researchers are still investigating the exact mechanisms, peppermint oil has long been thought to have anti-spasm properties, he says, which may relax the smooth muscle tissue of the lower gastrointestinal tract in people with IBS.
Ways To Treat Ibs Naturally
Below are 11 ways on how to treat IBS naturally.
All of the natural remedies mentioned below are backed with science and proven to have some benefit on IBS symptoms.
Please note that natural remedies cannot cure IBS, however, they can help to manage your IBS symptoms. Everyone with IBS is unique so there is no one size fits all approach
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Peppermint Oil For Gerd
In addition to improving digestion through normalizing gut motility and reducing bloating, gas, and indigestion, peppermint oil is also useful in treating acid reflux, clinically known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease . Peppermint oil helps with GERD for the same reason it improves gut motility, it works to relax smooth muscle activity.
Peppermint oil reduces multiphasic, spontaneous, and missed esophageal contractions while improving the amplitude and duration of these contractions. Notably peppermint oil completely eliminated simultaneous esophageal contractions. What this means is that peppermint oil reduced erratic all-over-the-place esophageal contractions and stabilized them back to regular consistent strong waves of activity.
Peppermint oil also helps normalize duodenal contractions, with 90 mg of peppermint oil relaxing the smooth muscle activity of the duodenum and stomach, reducing the frequency and duration of contractions in both parts of the digestive system. Altogether, peppermint oil is a useful treatment option for GERD that is effective and well-tolerated, causing adverse events very infrequently.
How Do Peppermint Oil Capsules Help Ibs
You will be pleased to know that peppermint oil capsules will help your IBS symptoms!
There have been multiple studies looking into their use. These studies show that if you take peppermint oil capsules regularly in the day, they will help reduce your IBS related pain +in+the+treatment+of+irritable+bowel+syndrome%3A+a+prospective+double+blind+placebo-controlled+randomized+trial.” rel=”nofollow”> 3).
Peppermint oil capsules may help your other IBS symptoms but the main one showing in the research is pain.
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Soothe Your Tummy With Tumeric
Tumeric, a spice loaded with curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties shown to help in a range of conditions triggered by inflammation, including heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease , and even depression, according to a paper published in November 2021 in Drug Design, Development and Therapy. The research also noted that curcumin helps regulate the gut microbiota, bring relief to people with IBD, and reduce inflammation that could likely lead to colon cancer.
Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory that can help soothe the digestive tract when you are suffering from an inflammation-related issue, says Finkel.
Stay Hydrated To Keep Things Moving
Fluids play an essential role in partnership with fiber to get solids through your system since water helps your body break down and digest food, according to Mayo Clinic. Hydration and water are friends, says Finkel. In fact, one of the easiest digestive tips to follow is to stay hydrated throughout the day. Water is a great choice to speed digestion, but almost any non-alcoholic fluid will do. Be careful with caffeinated beverages and sodas if you have reflux they can be triggers for heartburn, and caffeine acts as a mild diuretic.
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Peppermint Oil May Help Headaches And Migraines
Research has found that applying peppermint oil to the forehead and temples can be useful for treating headaches and migraines.
A 2016 review noted that peppermint oil is recommended for the treatment of tension-type headaches in adults and children over the age of 6 years old. The review authors suggested that it may even be as effective as acetaminophen , a common over-the-counter medication to relieve pain.
“For my patients with headaches, I typically recommend initially treating pain with topical treatments like peppermint oil, or with a pain-relieving ointment like Tiger Balm, which contains menthol, a cooling substance derived from peppermint,” says Lisa Ravindra, MD, an assistant professor of medicine and a board-certified internal medicine physician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
In a small 2010 study, topical menthol was shown to be more effective than placebo at reducing pain for migraines without aura.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure how peppermint oil eases headaches and migraines, Ravindra says, but it’s thought to help by relaxing muscles around the skull.
“The associated cooling sensation also appears to distract nerves from the pain response,” Ravindra says. “Additionally, topical peppermint has been shown to increase blood flow to the area it is applied to, which can speed up healing.”
Identification And Retrieval Of Primary Studies
We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis as per the PRISMA guidelines . An experienced medical informationist developed and executed the research strategy in collaboration with the co-authors. There were no restrictions placed on publication dates. A preliminary search was executed on October 10, 2016, and repeated on October 10, 2017, and April 11, 2018, using the following databases: MEDLINE , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials , ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE , and Web of Science. Controlled vocabulary terms for each concept were identified and combined with keyword synonyms. Web of Science was searched using keyword terms only . All results were downloaded to Endnote X8 and duplicate citations were identified and removed. The protocol is registered in PROSPERO Register .
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Common Questions About Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil helps the muscle in your bowel, relax. This helps to relieve the pain of stomach cramps and eases bloating and farting.
The capsules have a coating that stops them dissolving when they pass through your stomach. Once the capsule reaches your bowel, it gradually releases the medicine.
Peppermint oil capsules will start to work within a few hours but it could take up to 1 to 2 weeks to take full effect. If your symptoms do not improve, or get worse at any time, speak to your doctor.
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. Follow the instructions from your doctor.
Peppermint oil is not known to affect other medicines. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are thinking of using more than 1 medicine for your symptoms.
Some side effects of peppermint oil, such as heartburn may have a mild affect on your IBS, but only for a few days. Speak to your doctor if youre concerned.
Peppermint oil is not thought to affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.
Alcohol may make some side effects worse, such as dizziness. It’s best to drink less alcohol while taking peppermint oil if it makes you feel dizzy, sleepy or confused.
Apart from alcohol, theres no food or drink that will affect peppermint oil.
Reduction Of Colonic Spasm During Gi Procedures
As a consequence of its relaxing properties on smooth muscle, peppermint oil given via enema has been examined in two trials as a means to reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal spasm during administration of barium enema and possibly during colonoscopy.10,11 In a randomized controlled trial of 383 patients undergoing barium enemas, 37 to 41 percent of those who received peppermint oil experienced a non-spasm examination, compared with 13.4 percent of those who received placebo .10 In an RCT of 141 patients undergoing barium enemas, no residual spasm was evident in 60 percent of the treated group, compared with 35 percent of the control group .11
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Prevent Nausea And Vomiting
A buddy of mine had surgery a while back. As part of the post-op care, the hospital offered him the option of aromatherapychoosing between a few different scents, including peppermint, which he could sniff to control post-surgical nausea and vomiting. And it worked, which he thought was pretty cool. Ive since heard of other hospitals starting to use this approach. In a couple studies I looked at, not only does peppermint oil mitigate nausea and vomiting, patients preferred it to antiemetic drugs.6
Peppermint oil aromatherapy has proven effective postoperatively,7 as my friend can attest, during pregnancy,8 and while undergoing chemotherapy.9 Products containing peppermint oil can also help with motion sickness.
How Do You Take Peppermint Oil
You can find peppermint oil at your local drug store or health food store. We recommend USDA Organic products, as this certification ensures they meet federal quality requirements.
Taking capsules is the more effective route as theyre typically diluted to safe doses, and their slow release ensures your body will absorb the oils. One to two capsules³ three times a day is the generally recommended dose, but this will depend on the product.
Always consult a health professional about peppermint oil to ensure its suitable for you, your health background and wont interfere with your current medications.
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Dosage: How Much Peppermint Should I Take
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
There is no recommended dose of peppermint or peppermint oil. However, studies investigating the herb’s effects on different conditions have evaluated various doses.
- For indigestion, participants in one study received a product containing 90 milligrams of peppermint oil and 50 mg of caraway oil two or three times daily.
- For IBS, most trials have evaluated dosages of 0.2 to 0.4 mL capsules three times a day.
- For children, in one clinical trial, the dosage for kids under 99 pounds was 0.1 mL three times a day.
Kiwi A Day Keeps Constipation Away
The fuzzy fruit packed with vitamin C is making waves in the gastrointestinal community since a study published in June 2021 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that people who ate two kiwis a day were relieved of their constipation better than patients who consumed prunes or psyllium. The group assigned kiwis also had fewer negative side-effects and enjoyed their high-fiber food most.
We really want people to use whole foods to help their digestion and kiwis are a great way to help yourself out, says Finkel. Theyre tasty, enjoyable, and easy to eat.
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What Dose Of Peppermint Oil Capsule Shall I Take For Ibs
I am sure you are eager to get going with this supplement. BUT, this is a difficult question to answer.
The research is really varied. Studies use a wide variety of doses, so it is difficult to advise you specifically on what will work for you.
Instead, I would suggest you follow the manufactures guidelines and use the dose that they suggest on the packet.
Peppermint Oil Side Effects
The FDA considers essential oils to be safe when used as intended. Common side effects are indigestion and heartburn. Do not give peppermint oil to children under 12 unless a pharmaceutical professional recommends it. Note any side effects and report them to your doctor.
Peppermint essential oil is toxic to cats and dogs, so ensure they dont ingest or breathe it.
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