Re: Peppermint caps question for Heather
01/14/04 01:05 PM
|
|
|
Heather
Reged: 12/09/02
Posts: 7799
Loc: Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Hi - you can take as needed or on a daily basis, it's up to you. I would try just one a day and see how you do before you go up to three a day - they're very strong.
Because they don't dissolve till they reach your intestines, they won't affect you immediately during an attack. Peppermint tea is more helpful there, but taking a cap will help eventually as well. It sure can't hurt.
Peppermint won't cause GERD - you have to have this disorder first, and then peppermint can trigger the symptoms. I do think if you took too much you could give yourself temporary heartburn, though, so start gradually.
They work best as a preventative, so take before a meal you suspect might cause problems. Taking it after will help, but not as quickly as you'd like.
You might try taking one a day every day and see how you do. That might work better to head off attacks than trying to take as needed. But, if you're really well-stabilized and you'd only be taking as needed once a week or even less, then that option might make more sense.
Personally, I alternate. I take 1-2 daily if I'm under stress, or traveling, or going out to eat a lot. Otherwise I just take one when I start feeling a little dicey, or before a meal that I suspect has too much fat. Oh - and I take 3 a day right before and during my period, because I've found them to really help with the cramps.
- Heather
-------------------- Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|