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Heather Van Tassel's avatar

There are impacts to microbiome diversity and F/B ratio with long-term or high-dose enteric-coated peppermint use. Please look into the research before recommending people use this very strong herb as a proactive treatment.

Heather Van Vorous, Author's avatar

Hi - yes, lots of research on peppermint oil and IBS, none showing any harm to microbiome diversity or any long term negative effects. If you have research links showing otherwise please share - thanks!

Patti Peplinski's avatar

I would be very interested in this information as I have found the peppermint oil capsules along with the tea as needed very helpful. The tea is extremely helpful for immediate relief and the capsules I use morning and night as a precaution. Should I be concerned and go back to only using the capsules before questionable meals? It is hard separating the info I find to just the capsules vs the pure oil.

Heather Van Vorous, Author's avatar

Hi Patti - I would not be concerned here at all. Peppermint oil caps have been used for IBS in adults and children for literally decades, you can find a ton of research and abstracts here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=peppermint+oil+irritable+bowel and even more going farther back if you scroll down the page here https://www.helpforibs.com/messageboards/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=library&Number=13952&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

In general, peppermint oil is anti inflammatory, anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti spasmodic.

The only way you can use peppermint oil capsules is proactively. They only work as a preventative. The gelatin has to be enteric so they don't dissolve in your stomach and cause heartburn. That means they won't dissolve until they reach your intestines. That takes some time. So they don't work to quickly stop symptoms. They work to prevent symptoms in the first place. And you have to use them on an empty stomach.

The pep caps are stronger than tea, but not as flexible. The tea you can use as a preventative or for immediate help. And you can use it on a full or empty stomach.

I would keep doing just what you are doing, and use the pep caps am/pm as a preventative and the tea however/whenever you need help NOW.

XOXO

Heather

Patti Burkhardt's avatar

I can’t swallow pills so these pills that I wishi could use but can’t - any way to take by opening them?

Heather Van Vorous, Author's avatar

Hi Patti - no, you don't want straight peppermint oil in your stomach, that will cause heartburn. That is why you have to take the caps on an empty stomach and proactively, before symptoms hit, as they have a delayed effect, they have to reach your small intestines before they dissolve. So if you can't swallow capsules go to the peppermint tummy tea https://www.heatherstummycare.com/p/teas_pmint-can-bags/peppermint-tummy-teabags-can/ That will get you fast and flexible help, brew it as strong as you can, at least 10-15 minutes, and you can use that on a full or empty stomach, and also as a preventative.

XOXO

Heather

Freda Howerton's avatar

Good morning Heather, peppermint irritates my acid reflux is there something else I can take?

Heather Van Vorous, Author's avatar

Yes, fennel tummy tea is your safety net here! Helps both lower GI problems from IBS (spasms, cramps, bloating, gas) and also upper GI (reflux, heartburn, burping). https://www.heatherstummycare.com/p/teas_fennel-can-bags/fennel-tummy-teabags-can/

XOXO

Heather