Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules (90 per bottle) for IBS

How I found this wonderful capsule: Having been diagnosed with a slew of GI maladies, ranging from gastroparesis, to Chronic pancreatitis, I was given many - expensive - drugs to treat my terrible and mostly unexplained abdominal pains. After 6 months of continually losing weight, not being able to eat anything substantive, and getting no where with doctors who had already explained away my "condition" as a life-long illness that just won't ever get better, I made an appointment with Mayo Clinic for more answers. After their slew of tests, the doctor confirmed my suspicions that I did not, in fact have a failing pancreas or even inflammation that would seem to denote IBS. Rather, he said it was difficult to pin-point to a single issue and labeled the pain as caused by "functional dyspepsia" and visceral hypersensitivity (like migraines, but with stomach nerves...). While this Mayo doctor said there were heavy-duty prescription drugs he could prescribe me, he wanted to me to try something more natural first, citing medical studies that showed actual data on the effectiveness of peppermint oil with GI pain and other issues. He was very specific about needing the enteric coated ones, and mentioned FD Gard as one example (though it was so expensive, I found a similar alternative - this product). Within two weeks of taking this product - at least 30 min-1 hour before meals - I went from having pain daily after any real meal, to just weekly, to almost never. It's really changed my life, in the most non-cliche terms possible. I am able to thrive again, workout, eat socially without fear of debilitating pain taking me out for the rest of the day. This is now my third month of them, and I can't believe the lengths of time and doctors it took to finally find this simple, safe treatment! A few notes and tips - the instructions really are key to follow. I notice the peppermint-flavored heartburn if I take this too close to a meal. 30 minutes prior is my minimum, and 50 minutes before eating is more ideal. Also, it does need to be taken on an empty stomach - it can give me weird nausea symptoms AND heartburn if I've eaten a snack to closely to taking this capsule, including a cup of tea - you don't want this stuff to hang out in your stomach and dissolve. It really needs to move quickly into your small intestines to work its antispasmodic magic, and that can only happen effectively if your stomach is already empty. That being said, the better I've gotten at using it regularly and correctly, the better my symptoms have gotten. I've even been able to reduce to taking them just twice a day; it's like they're retraining my GI track how to be happy with normal function.

Heather's enteric coated peppermint oil soft gels are a must have for anyone with IBS, and are the only thing that really works for many for severe intestinal spasms and cramping, way better than any prescription possibly could, and stops the cramping right in its tracks, by acting as a smooth muscle relaxant. Years ago, I often found myself lying on the floor of my bathroom crying in pain with severe intestinal cramps secondary to IBS and stress, and these soft gels were the only thing that could save me. For me, the peppermint oil didn't fully resolve my insane diarrhea, and I also took a lot of immodium as needed to get that to stop. I also took probiotics, digestive enzymes, and soluble fiber supplements, all on a regular basis, (and still do) and I still think these are important things to continue even if they don't "fix" the problem, but the peppermint oil soft gels were they key that saved me whenever I had active spasms or cramping symptoms, and enabled me to get up and function again, go to work, etc. I will note that as severe as my problems were, whenever I needed them, I took two at a time and as often as I needed to, regardless of when I ate or any other guidelines, or any other medications I was on. I don't think you can overdo it, as I often needed 8 or so a day or even more, and the worst thing that happened was my burps tasted like peppermint, and sometimes even my urine and my poop smelled like peppermint (peppermint farts, even, are better than the usual, if they are going to happen regardless, especially at work)! It's very important that they are enteric coated, as most peppermint oil capsules are not, so that the active ingredients are released in the intestines where they are needed, although clearly if you take enough some is absorbed systemically and permeates your body, as well. Surprisingly to me, I found out by accident they also work for interstitial cystitis (severe bladder pain and cramping) and menstrual cramps, again at high enough doses, which for me is whatever it takes. Seems to relax all the smooth muscles of the abdomen.to some extent if you take enough. Also really good for nausea or indigestion, since they also contain ginger and fennel, proven to help with same, although be careful if you tend to get acid reflux, heartburn, or if you have GERD. Peppermint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter right along with the whole GI tract, even when enteric coated and released into the intestine, and can aggravate preexisting acid reflux, although it doesn't always, and sometimes even seems to help (with the "soothing" peppermint burps!). .I know this because I have never once in all these years had a problem with this happening, but my mom with severe IBS can't use these because she has such severe problems with GERD. My mom can't even use the peppermint tea, although she does get a great deal of relief from Heather's Tummy fiber (natural acacia powder) and Heather's natural fennel tea, both of which she faithfully uses daily and depends upon.. My IBS is much better now a days, but I have relied on these for years and they would be my number one choice if I had to pick just one supplement I wouldn't go without, for just those times - they are that essential to my health and well-being! I will always be a life long customer and keep these on hand without fail. Can't highly recommend enough!!! P.s. Heather's has an excellent website devoted to IBS and IBS treatment information and a wide variety of unique and very effective treatment supplements you won't find elsewhere. Also, Heather's stands behind their products 100% so contact them with any problems, questions, or concerns. No, I don't work for them, but know them from my years as a good customer. With the peppermint oil capsules, it is ESSENTIAL that they are enteric coated to reach the intestines intact, and I have never seen these offered by another brand. The website is where I always got these before I more recently found the same original Heather's brand products cheaper on Amazon.

The capsules are convenient to take and seem to be effective.

I have been using it for five days, took empty stomach but it always gives me heartburn no effect on gas or flatulence. I had lots of hope but again I am disappointed to think there is no remedies for my gas, flatulence and constipation.

Highly irritation and pain to the GI tract when taken at morning time as per instructions given in the label.

Doesn't work much effectively.

it is perfect for constipation and gases.