IBS Vegan
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Books
    • Low-FODMAP & Vegan
    • More books by Jo
  • IBS Basics
    • What Is IBS?
    • Self-Help
  • Blog
    • Food and Ingredients
    • Health and Nutrition
    • Living with IBS
    • Recipes >
      • Beverages
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Snacks & Sides
      • Main Dishes
    • Interviews
  • IBS Updates
    • IBS News 2019
    • IBS News 2018
    • IBS News 2017
    • IBS News 2016
  • Myths & Facts
    • IBS Myths
    • IBS Facts
  • FODMAPS
    • FODMAP Basics
    • Low-FODMAP Foods
    • High-FODMAP Foods
  • Shopping Guides
    • Low-FODMAP Vegan Shopping Guide
    • Low-FODMAP Vegan Products

The Water Closet

Peppermint and IBS

8/17/2017

6 Comments

 
Picture
Although many mainstream doctors scoff when patients select natural solutions instead of pharmaceuticals, there are some folk remedies that are actually quite effective, and some that are even more effective than conventional medicines. ​
Picture
As a bonus, natural alternatives frequently have fewer side effects than drugs and generally tend to be more affordable. However, because natural options aren't big money-makers for the pharmaceutical giants, research on them is still rather limited.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has a time-honored history as a traditional medicinal. It has been valued as a remedy for dyspepsia since ancient Egyptian times. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used peppermint to soothe indigestion. In western Europe during the eighteenth century, peppermint held favor as a folk remedy for nausea and vomiting.

Peppermint is a relaxing as well as refreshing herb. The active compounds in peppermint oil have antispasmodic properties that have a soothing effect on the lining and smooth muscle of the colon, helping to relieve diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. The cooling menthol in the oil eases nausea and relieves stomach pain. These effects have been demonstrated in numerous clinical studies in Europe and more recently in US studies as well.

Picture
Although peppermint tea is both calming and invigorating, it's a very diluted form of the herb and doesn't provide the same powerful healing properties and efficacy as the essential oil, which is highly concentrated and medicinally potent. In multiple clinical studies, peppermint oil, taken orally in the form of capsules, has been shown to provide relief from many IBS symptoms and to help to normalize the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, as well as normalize intestinal transit time.

However, the challenge has been targeting the oil to the specific area of the colon (the small intestine) where IBS symptoms occur, rather than the stomach. Another challenge has been heartburn and anal burning, common side effects of taking peppermint oil. And because the oil has intensive relaxing effects, it not only relaxes the colon but also the esophageal sphincter, which can contribute to reflux and GERD, especially if the oil is taken on a full stomach.

Picture
One of the first breakthroughs in peppermint oil delivery was enteric-coated liquid-filled gel caps. The coating helps keep the oil from being released in the stomach and lessens heartburn and other side effects. A more recent breakthrough has been a product called IBGard, which is made with ultra-purified peppermint oil in solid, sustained-release microspheres that deliver the oil specifically to the small intestine, where it is most effective for managing the symptoms of IBS. Clinical research provides evidence that IBGard works for a statistically significant number of IBS patients, even in as quickly as twenty-four hours for some.

However, IBGard and most similar products aren't vegan because the oil is encased in gelatin capsules. One of the few exceptions is Deva Nutrition, which sells peppermint oil in veggie caps in the US and the UK. Although these capsules aren't enteric coated, the manufacturer states that they are delayed release.

There is no doubt that peppermint oil capsules may be beneficial to many people suffering from IBS, especially those with IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant IBS) and IBS-M (alternating diarrhea and constipation). Taking them -- in conjunction with following a low-FODMAP diet -- may help stabilize your symptoms and bring more normalcy to your life. While there are limited vegan options available at this time, if the vegan choices don't work for you, IBGard or other nonvegan peppermint oil products that are enteric coated may be worth exploring until better solutions become available. However, only you can decide whether your quality of life is worth making the compromise to take nonvegan medications. I encourage you to try the vegan brand of peppermint oil capsules and to also write to the manufacturers of other peppermint oil products to let them know we need more vegan alternatives.

Originally published 09.19.16. Updated 08.22.17.

*****

I love hearing from you! Please post your thoughts in the comment section below!

6 Comments
Maureen Cram
9/19/2016 02:04:53 pm

What do you think about rubbing the essential oil on the soles of your feet? I do that with Frankincense oil and lavender for my immune system.

Reply
Jo Stepaniak link
9/19/2016 03:53:05 pm

Great question! There's no scientific evidence at this time to support a change in the intestinal tract or a reduction of IBS symptoms through the use of inhaled (aromatherapy) or topical application of essential oils. However, there are plenty of anecdotal reports from users of of aromatherapy oils stating that certain ones can help relieve anxiety and stress, which are two major triggers of IBS symptoms, and that others aid in the relief of pain, tension, and insomnia, common IBS complaints. Some aromatherapy oils can enhance appetite and energy, while others provide a calming effect, and these actions can be of great value to people with IBS.

As long as you don't have an adverse reaction to certain scents, there should be no harm in trying aromatherapy to help stave off or relieve IBS symptoms, and doing so might actually be beneficial. Peppermint essential oil inhaled via a diffuser (or similar aromatherapy device or technique) or applied topically (diluted in a carrier oil) is certainly worth a try!

Reply
Jo Stepaniak link
9/19/2016 03:55:26 pm

Great question! There's no scientific evidence at this time to support a change in the intestinal tract or a reduction of IBS symptoms through the use of inhaled (aromatherapy) or topical application of essential oils. However, there are plenty of anecdotal reports from users of aromatherapy oils stating that certain ones can help relieve anxiety and stress, which are two major triggers of IBS symptoms, and that others aid in the relief of pain, tension, and insomnia, common IBS complaints. Some aromatherapy oils can enhance appetite and energy, while others provide a calming effect, and these actions can be of great value to people with IBS.

As long as you don't have an adverse reaction to certain scents, there should be no harm in trying aromatherapy to help stave off or relieve IBS symptoms, and doing so might actually be beneficial. Peppermint essential oil inhaled via a diffuser (or similar aromatherapy device or technique) or applied topically (diluted in a carrier oil) is certainly worth a try!

Reply
Organic Health Benefits link
7/22/2017 01:42:20 am

Thanks for sharing this amazing helpful thing, i will must try it out. Keep sharing and caring.

Reply
Jo Stepaniak
7/22/2017 07:53:53 am

Thanks so much for your kind feedback!

Reply
Syed K Ekram
9/28/2018 08:25:27 pm

I tried Deva veg peppermint oil capsule and it gives more pain then gain I am on Natures Way Peppermint Leaves capsule and I find it something to go gaves me lot of difference in bloating and diarrhea I also added shiff pro biotic (after trying lot other brands trial and error ) thanks to almighty God so far I am a lot better then before. Thanks

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Vegan author Jo Stepaniak, MSEd, has endured IBS for decades. She understands firsthand the challenges of living with dietary restrictions as well as chronic pain and illness.
    Help support the IBS Vegan website & blog!
    BUY the BOOK!
    Picture
    BUY NOW!

    Categories

    All
    Beverages
    Breakfast
    Desserts
    Food And Ingredients
    Health And Nutrition
    Interviews
    Living With IBS
    Main Dishes
    Recipes
    Snacks & Sides
    Soups

    RSS Feed

Help support IBSVegan.com!

ABOUT

BOOKS

​BLOG

CONTACT

Copyright © 2021
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Books
    • Low-FODMAP & Vegan
    • More books by Jo
  • IBS Basics
    • What Is IBS?
    • Self-Help
  • Blog
    • Food and Ingredients
    • Health and Nutrition
    • Living with IBS
    • Recipes >
      • Beverages
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Snacks & Sides
      • Main Dishes
    • Interviews
  • IBS Updates
    • IBS News 2019
    • IBS News 2018
    • IBS News 2017
    • IBS News 2016
  • Myths & Facts
    • IBS Myths
    • IBS Facts
  • FODMAPS
    • FODMAP Basics
    • Low-FODMAP Foods
    • High-FODMAP Foods
  • Shopping Guides
    • Low-FODMAP Vegan Shopping Guide
    • Low-FODMAP Vegan Products