Peppermint oil IBS refers to the use of peppermint oil to treat irregular bowel syndrome. Peppermint oil has been used as a tea for many years already to help in the digestion of food. It can also be combined with the herb called clown’s mustard and both herbal remedies are available in health food stores.
This substance is anti-spasmodic hence it could relax the smooth muscles of the stomach, intestines and uterus. It has also analgesic properties which could cure or lessen pain. It can be used to relieve all the main symptoms of IBS and is particularly effective at treating spasms, pain and cramps. There have been several scientific findings that are published that showed that peppermint oil is effective in treating the symptoms of IBS.
There are several stores selling peppermint oil. IBS sufferers can usually take them either as a tea drink or in capsule form. If the oil version is being used, the tablets should be check if they are ‘enteric coated’ which means they contain a special coating which allows them to reach the intestines before they dissolve rather than breaking down in the stomach since this process can cause heartburn. It is therefore extremely important that the peppermint oil tablet has enteric coating. Sometimes however, the patient may experience a transient burning sensation in the rectum during bowel movement but this can be corrected by reducing the dosage.
When taken in excessive doses, nausea, loss of appetite, heart problems, nervous system disorders, kidney failure, even death could result in taking peppermint oil. IBS sufferers should therefore be warned of these negative side effects. It should not be given internally to children and pregnant or nursing women
In a study which was published in the journal Phytomedicine, it was said that 58% of the patients who received peppermint oil showed improvements while 29% of the patients in the placebo group of the clinical trial also showed improvement.
Statistics showed that patient’s conditions improved when they take peppermint oil. IBS symptoms can be relieved through the use of peppermint oils but still there is no definitive judgment that could be made because further research and studies are still ongoing.