Peppermint Oil Relieves Stomach Pains

With IBS affecting around 15-20% of the population, it is important to find relief for our GI symptoms, including stomach pains. Abdominal cramping can be severe at times, and peppermint oil has been shown to be an effective remedy.Peppermint oil is an herb in the mint family. The oil is extracted from the leaves and put into pill form, extracts or essential oils. When ingested, peppermint oil has been shown to be effective for GI symptoms including nausea and stomach pain. This is because peppermint oil relaxes GI tract smooth muscle to decrease spasms while decreasing the pain sensation. Additionally, it is anti-inflammatory and alters the microbiota.When purchasing peppermint oil pill, choose enteric coated pills since other to minimize heartburn, which is a potential side effect of peppermint oil.