Do peppermint oil capsules help with CFS-related GI symptoms?

[Frustrated]

I get bad abdominal bloating and some diarrhea with my CFS. Could peppermint oil capsules help?

 

[Basilico]

I used enteric coated peppermint capsules many years ago, but for constipation,not diarrhea. I noticed some minimal action in the beginning, but it quickly ended up doing nothing.

I think it's generally used to unblock constipation, so I'm not sure it'd be good in your case. However, there might be something that is soothing in the peppermint for your system, so it still might be worth trying.

Between me (who has a long history of IBS-C) and my husband (with IBS-D) I have LOTS of experience trying all sorts of interventions/remedies and troubleshooting GI issues. If you want to give some more information, I'd be happy to try to come up with some other ideas that might help.

Some info that would be helpful:

1) How frequently do you get bloating and diarrhea?
2) Do they always occur together?
3) Do you notice whether it gets better or worse depending on what you're eating?
4) Do you notice whether it gets worse if you are stressed?
5) What do you eat in the days just before/during your GI distress?
6) What have you tried already (and what were the results)?

If you can elaborate on these points, I feel confident I can come up with at least some thing (if not several things) for you try.

 

[PDXhausted]

If you are able, I'd consider seeing someone who specializes in SIBO and see what treatment they recommend. There are both herbal and pharmaceutical treatments. If it is SIBO, peppermint oil I believe helps relax your GI tract a bit, but I don't think it would actually kill the source of it. You could try it and see if it gives you a little temporary relief.

 

[IThinkImTurningJapanese]

I get bad abdominal bloating and some diarrhea with my CFS. Could peppermint oil capsules help?

This is the most powerful intervention I've found for intestinal issues, have a look.

 

[Basilico]

This is the most powerful intervention I've found for intestinal issues, have a look.

I used that at pretty high doses (16 pills per day) and didn't notice any change. My father in law, however, did get some good constipation relief from it, though. Unfortunately, it seems like it's hard to get now - it's not on Amazon anymore. Do you have a source for it?

 

[IThinkImTurningJapanese]

Unfortunately, it seems like it's hard to get now - it's not on Amazon anymore. Do you have a source for it?

I found this.