Does Peppermint Oil Help With Stomachaches? Research, Risks, How to Use

If you’re saddled with stomach pain, here’s how this herbal derivative may aid your digestion.

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But even if people have been using peppermint for stomach pain since ancient Egypt, is there evidence that it actually works? “Peppermint oil is one of the options you have, and, yes, it is effective,” says the gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, MD, the author of Fiber Fueled. “There have been multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews and meta-analyses that show that peppermint oil is useful for IBS and abdominal discomfort,” he says.

Here is what experts say about the research, potential benefits, and safe ways to use this herbal treatment to manage stomachache and other GI symptoms.

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Not everyone in the research benefited from peppermint oil, but that’s to be expected. “That’s likely because different people experience digestive symptoms for different reasons, and while peppermint oil can be helpful to some, it may not be helpful to everyone,” says Robin Foroutan, RDN, an integrative and functional dietitian and a digestive health expert in New York City.

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“Our gut is about 25 feet long and constantly moving,” says Dr. Bulsiewicz. Sometimes, the muscles around the gut clamp down and cause discomfort. When menthol, the active ingredient concentrated in peppermint oil, reaches the small intestines, it can relax and soothe those spasms, he says.

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If you’re using peppermint oil for acute stomach pain, you can take a 180 milligrams (mg) capsule to see if it helps.

If you have IBS, you may choose to use peppermint oil regularly as a preventive. “If you’re in that group, you’d use 180 mg three times per day before meals, which will give you that soothing effect when you eat,” says Foroutan.

Like all supplements, peppermint oil is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so it’s wise to choose and use it with caution. Look for a brand that has third-party certification, which ensures the supplement is accurately labeled and free from contaminants. Follow instructions on the label to ensure that you’re taking it correctly.

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In addition, peppermint may make even mild reflux worse because it relaxes the upper esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach contents and acid to bubble back up.

If you have red flag GI symptoms, like unexplained weight loss or anemia, blood in your stool or black tarry stools, or intense pain, these are signs that you need to check in with your doctor, says Bulsiewicz. Intense pain that doesn’t improve with treatment, including peppermint oil, may require a trip to the emergency room.

People have known about the health benefits of peppermint oil for a long time. There is evidence that peppermint oil helps with stomachaches and pains because it relaxes the intestines and reduces visceral hypersensitivity. Although peppermint oil is generally safe, talk to your healthcare provider before incorporating it into your routine.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Grant Chu, MD, is an assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chu is also the associate director of education at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, using technology to further medical education.

He is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.He received a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Brown University, where he also earned his medical degree. He has a master's in acupuncture and oriental medicine from South Baylo University and a master's in business administration from the University of Illinois. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles and a fellowship at the Center for East-West Medicine at UCLA. He has held academic appointments at the University of California in Irvine and the University of Queensland in Australia.

Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

digestive health