Peppermint oil (enteric-coated)

Gold· human data

Enteric-coated peppermint oil has solid evidence for IBS symptom relief.

Enteric-coated peppermint oil is one of the better-supported options for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The coating carries it past the stomach to the intestine, where menthol relaxes gut smooth muscle and eases cramping.

Multiple trials and guidelines recognise it for reducing overall IBS symptoms, particularly pain and bloating. The enteric coating matters — plain peppermint oil can worsen reflux by relaxing the oesophageal sphincter — and heartburn is the main side effect.

Sources

PubMed: peppermint oil enteric coated irritable bowel syndrome (research overview)

Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

Last reviewed: 22 July 2026