Digestive Health Natural Remedies Herbal Remedies

IBS Relief Peppermint Oil

4.8 156 reviews

Peppermint oil is often used as a natural remedy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. The active ingredient in peppermint oil, menthol, has been shown to relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and reduce spasms.

Main Benefits

Soothe Digestion

Soothes digestive system

Reduce Bloating

Helps reduce bloating

Gut Health

Promotes gut health

Protect Mucosa

Protects mucous membranes

Homemade peppermint oil for IBS relief in a dark glass bottle

Ingredients

Fresh peppermint leaves and carrier oils
  • Fresh Peppermint Leaves
    Mentha piperita
    1 cup
    Packed, or ½ cup dried leaves
  • Olive Oil
    Olea europaea
    1 cup
    Extra virgin preferred
  • Almond Oil
    Prunus dulcis
    0.5 cup
    Optional, for enhanced absorption

Instructions

1

Harvest and Prepare

Pick approximately 1 cup of fresh peppermint leaves from your garden or a trusted source. Wash the leaves to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure the leaves are air-dried for a few days prior to using.

2

Crush Leaves

Gently crush or bruise the peppermint leaves with a mortar and pestle to release the essential oils and aroma.

3

Prepare Infusion

Place the crushed peppermint leaves in a glass jar. Pour exactly 1 cup of olive oil and optional almond oil over the leaves to fully cover them.

4

Seal and Steep

Seal the glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in a cool, dark place for about two to three weeks.

5

Daily Shake

Shake the jar gently once a day to help with the infusion process and distribute the peppermint.

6

Strain

After the steeping period, strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl or container. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much oil as possible.

7

Store

Transfer the strained peppermint-infused oil into a small, dark glass bottle with a dropper or cup for easy dispensing and storage.

Notes

Enteric-coated peppermint oil appears to be safe to take internally at safe doses. However, healthcare professionals do not recommend ingesting essential oils. Pure essential oils are highly concentrated and can be toxic. Here we use an infused oil (versus an essential oil). Menthol can cause serious side effects in children.

Dosage

0.5 ml (½ a dropperful) for adults taken 3 times a day. It's best to take it about 1 hour before meals.