Therapeutic herb
Peppermint
Enteric-coated peppermint capsules show strong evidence for IBS symptom relief.
Active compounds
- menthol
Recommended daily intake
1 cup tea, or 1 tbsp fresh leaf
Best cooking method
Tea steep 5-10 min; fresh leaf as garnish or in cold sauces
Flavor profile
Cool, sharp, sweet menthol
Conditions this herb supports
Pairs with these cuisines
Safety + contraindications
GERD aggravator — relaxes lower esophageal sphincter.
This information is educational, not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before therapeutic-dose use, especially during pregnancy, lactation, or when on prescription medication.
Scientific research
Peer-reviewed studies cited from NIH PubMed. Click any PMID to read the abstract.
- RCT2016
A Novel Delivery System of Peppermint Oil Is an Effective Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Cash BD, Epstein MS, Shah SM
Enteric-coated peppermint oil significantly reduced IBS symptoms vs placebo over 4 weeks.
PubMed PMID: 24100754 - meta-analysis2014
Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Khanna R, MacDonald JK, Levesque BG
Meta-analysis of 9 RCTs confirms peppermint oil effective for IBS symptom relief.
PubMed PMID: 18408140
Studies summarized for plain-English understanding. Read the full abstract on PubMed for methodology, sample size, and limitations.