Peppermint, medically known as Mentha Piperita, is a medicinal herb native to Europe, now cultivated in North America as well. Menthol is the key active ingredient in peppermint. Peppermint is used in various cosmetic products and toothpastes and has also been evaluated for various medical conditions, including skin problems, headaches and anxiety as well as digestive issues such as indigestion, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome. If you are considering taking peppermint to improve symptoms of IBS, you should first talk to your health care provider.
Research
There is strong evidence that peppermint helps manage symptoms of IBS. According to a review of over 100 research studies that evaluated various therapies in the past 35 years, peppermint oil appeared to be the most effective supplement for alleviating IBS, followed by psychotherapy and conventional drugs and probiotics. This review study was published in the December 2010 issue of "European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology" by a medical team from University Hospital in Tübingen, Germany.
In an article featured in the April 2007 issue of "American Family Physician," the authors further explain that peppermint helps relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. Muscle spasms are responsible for abdominal pain and discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
Available Forms and Dosage
Peppermint is available as a tea, tinctures capsules and ointments. For the management of irritable bowel syndrome, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests enteric-coated capsules because they do not beak down in the stomach and therefore will not cause heartburn or gastric irritation. A typical dose for IBS would be one to two capsules that contain 0.2 percent peppermint oil, two to three times daily. This dose may be adjusted based on the severity of your symptoms.
Safety and Drug Interactions
Peppermint is a safe and well-tolerated supplement. If you suffer from heartburn or hiatal hernia, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take this supplement. Infants should not be given peppermint oil either. Peppermint may cause gallstones. Higher than recommended doses of peppermint oil may be toxic, notes UMMC.
Peppermint supplements may interfere with some conventional medication, including drugs prescribed for diabetes, high blood pressure and high acid in the stomach.
Considerations
Consult a qualified health care provider to learn more about this supplement and optimal dosage that may help improve your symptoms. A healthy diet is also important because certain foods trigger symptoms of IBS. Keep in mind that peppermint supplements do not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional drugs prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome.
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