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 peppermint help IBS diarrhea?
About peppermint oil
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 essential is good for diarrhea?
14 best essential oils for diarrhea
- Peppermint essential oil.
- Cinnamon essential oil.
- Cardamom essential oil.
- Oregano essential oil.
- Ginger essential oil.
- Tea tree essential oil.
- Ravintsara essential oil.
- Roman chamomile essential oil.
How does peppermint help Upset stomach?
Peppermint contains menthol, which may prevent spasms in the digestive tract by smoothing intestinal muscles. Several studies have investigated just how effective peppermint oil capsules may be at relieving cramping, diarrhea, and bloating in people with IBS.
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.
How many drops of peppermint oil should I take 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 you take Imodium with peppermint oil?
No interactions were found between Imodium and peppermint. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
How do you stop explosive diarrhea?
Keep sipping water and other fluids. Stick to a diet of clear liquids for a day or two until the diarrhea stops. Avoid sugary fruit juices, caffeine, carbonated drinks, dairy products, and food that’s greasy, overly sweet, or high in fiber.
How can I stop diarrhea everyday?
Lifestyle changes to help resolve chronic diarrhea include:
- avoiding caffeine and alcoholic beverages.
- eating low fiber foods.
- drinking clear fluids to prevent dehydration.
- controlling food portions to avoid overeating.
Is diarrhea a sickness?
The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus that infects your bowel (“viral gastroenteritis”). The infection usually lasts a couple of days and is sometimes called “intestinal flu.” Other possible causes of diarrhea can include: Infection by bacteria.
What settles upset stomach and diarrhea?
Clear soup broth or bouillon. Decaffeinated tea. Sports drinks. Clear soft-drinks like 7-Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale.
Good foods to try are:
- Applesauce.
- Bananas.
- Soda crackers.
- White rice.
- White toast.
Is peppermint good for the gut?
Peppermint may relieve digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating and indigestion. Animal studies indicate that peppermint relaxes your digestive system and may ease pain. It also prevents smooth muscles from contracting, which could relieve spasms in your gut ( 2 , 3 ).
What tea is good for diarrhea?
Chamomile tea is a popular remedy for nausea and may also be soothing for diarrhea because it has a calming effect on the gastrointestinal system.
Can peppermint give you diarrhea?
Peppermint oil, ingested in excess, has been noted to cause generalized gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
How do you calm an IBS flare up?
How to Calm an IBS Flare Up
- Apply Gentle Heat.
- Get Moving.
- Stay Away From Trigger Foods.
- Have a Soothing, Non-Caffeinated Tea.
- Dial Down Your Stress Levels.
- Try a Relaxation Technique.
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 is the best over the counter medication 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.
Is peppermint oil good for irritable bowel syndrome?
For starters, you can rest assured that experts have given their nod of approval to peppermint oil for IBS. In its January 2021 treatment guideline, the American College of Gastroenterology suggested peppermint oil for relief of IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain.
What medications does peppermint interfere with?
Peppermint may interact with some drugs, including:
- cyclosporine, taken by transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection.
- drugs that reduce stomach acid.
- ulcer medications.
- calcium channel blockers and other drugs used for hypertension or high blood pressure.
What is peppermint good for?
Today, peppermint is promoted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other digestive problems, the common cold, sinus infections, headaches, and other conditions. Peppermint oil is promoted for topical use (applied to the skin) for problems like headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching.
Does peppermint oil have any side effects?
Possible side effects of peppermint oil include: Heartburn. Allergic reactions such as flushing, headache, and mouth sores. Anal burning during bouts of diarrhea.