Does Peppermint Oil Help With Stomachaches? Research, Risks, How to Use
What Form of Peppermint Oil Is Best
How Much Peppermint Oil to Take
If you’re using peppermint oil for acute stomach pain, you can take a 180 milligrams (mg) capsule to see if it helps.
If you have IBS, you may choose to use peppermint oil regularly as a preventive. “If you’re in that group, you’d use 180 mg three times per day before meals, which will give you that soothing effect when you eat,” says Foroutan.
Precautions and Side Effects
Like all supplements, peppermint oil is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so it’s wise to choose and use it with caution. Look for a brand that has third-party certification, which ensures the supplement is accurately labeled and free from contaminants. Follow instructions on the label to ensure that you’re taking it correctly.
- is pregnant or breastfeeding
- has liver or gallbladder disease
- has a hiatal hernia
- has severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers
In addition, peppermint may make even mild reflux worse because it relaxes the upper esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach contents and acid to bubble back up.
If you have red flag GI symptoms, like unexplained weight loss or anemia, blood in your stool or black tarry stools, or intense pain, these are signs that you need to check in with your doctor, says Bulsiewicz. Intense pain that doesn’t improve with treatment, including peppermint oil, may require a trip to the emergency room.
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