Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Peppermint caps question for Heather

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

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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!

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