Is Peppermint Oil Helpful for IBD?

[CrohnsChicago]

Does anyone have any good sources for information on the use of peppermint oil and crohn's disease/IBD? I don't seem to be coming across what I would consider credible sources in my internet searches.

I was specifically looking for information regarding:

• 
  the benefits

• possible interactions with other medications

• any risks related to use (i noticed one site mentioned peppermint oil might reduce your ability to absorb iron)

• recommended daily dosage for people with IBS/IBD

Any first-hand experience people may have would be helpful too...why do you use peppermint oil? Do you find it helps you?

 

[ctrl z]

I don't use peppermint oil (I don't have the big D) but a friend that has difficulties with diarrhea (she has IBS) puts a few drops of peppermint oil in a large glass of water and claims it helps settle her diarrhea.

I found this. It states:

Peppermint oil has been studied for both disorders, showing improved abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and flatulence in IBS23,24 and, in combination with caraway oil, has been shown to provide global symptom improvement for FD.25 Its smooth muscle relaxant properties are mediated via calcium channel blockade, and it appears to act as an antispasmodic.26 A meta‐analysis of eight trials of peppermint oil for IBS showed improved symptoms, but the data were inconclusive due to methodological flaws in the analysed studies.27 Overall, the data are encouraging and suggestive, but no large well designed trials have been completed.

And from this:

Peppermint oil: Can relieve symptoms in the short term

Peppermint oil products were tested in 4 trials involving 392 participants. The trials lasted between 4 and 12 weeks. The products were taken 2 to 4 times per day at a dose of around 200 mg, in the form of capsules that are resistant to stomach acid. Other forms of peppermint products, such as drops or solutions, were not tested.

The 4 trials showed that peppermint oil can help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. At the end of the trials, 26 out of 100 people who were taking peppermint oil still had pain and other IBS symptoms (26%), compared with 65 out of 100 people who were taking a placebo (65%). This means that the peppermint oil products relieved IBS symptoms in an extra 4 out of every 10 people who used them.

Again, it is not clear whether peppermint oil is still effective when taken over a longer period of time, because these trials did not last longer than four weeks. Only a few of the participants reported adverse effects. But not all of the trials systematically collected information on adverse effects.

Here is what WebMD has to say about peppermint oil and drug interactions:

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, there is a moderate risk in combining peppermint oil with the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and many different medications that are changed and broken down by the liver.

 

[PVail]

When i first had symptoms several years ago my GI gave me Colpermin . I was told to take it for a month to see if it reduced the symptoms . It actually did nothing at all. As far as Im aware this is peppermint oil in tablet form .
Im on Asacol 3x daily , this works.

 

[Garbanzo]

You will need the peppermint oil in gel caps...they've some successful studies showing benefit with SIBO. I took it and noticed great improvement in stool formation....but it went away after few days and I stopped it.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I don't know about peppermint oil. But, I do know that when I do have a peppermint candy to suck on after eating and taking my meds, it does settle my stomach...

 

[rygon]

I drink peppermnt tea which does help my bloating. Ive just bought some peppermint tablets (200ml 3x day) after reading some info online. Been taking some turmeric as well which seems to be helping. Have only been on peppermint tablets for a week and havent noticed any change as yet