Peppermint is really used as a flavor on a lot of different things. Such as toothpaste, gum, and even some medications. But peppermint itself does hold some healing properties.
But, is peppermint good for acid reflux?
Unfortunately, peppermint cannot help you with acid reflux. Rather it can worsen the situation. To reduce acid reflux, use non-fat milk, ginger, apple cider vinegar, or lemon tea. But peppermint can help you with indigestion, IBS, headaches, and skin irritation.
But you have to consume peppermint the right way. So make sure you know the amount and the right method.
We have all the procedures to reduce acid reflux and the right way to use peppermint. So, why don’t you jump below and enlighten yourself!
Does Peppermint Calms Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux can be really irritating. And taking something herbal rather than any drug can be better. Herbal medication suits your body better than any drug. And can be really effective at the same time.
But can it fix acid reflux? Unfortunately NO. It can relax the muscles near the opening of your stomach and esophagus. Peppermint can push the acid reflux back to the esophagus to worsen the irritation. So don’t take peppermint while acid reflux.
The esophagus is a long muscular tube from your throat to your stomach. There are 3 parts of the esophagus. The upper, middle, and lower. And in the lower esophagus, recites the opening of the stomach.
Taking peppermint can push the acid from your stomach to your mouth. And this can increase irritation. Although there are no effects of spearmint acid reflux.
What Does Peppermint Help with?
Peppermint doesn’t help you with acid reflux. But there are other scenarios where peppermint can help you. Peppermint has a numbing effect. So it can relax muscles in your body if you are facing trouble with any of your muscles.
But specifically, there are a few things that can be calmed by peppermint. We have made a list of them below.
Indigestion
Digesting can be difficult after you have eaten a lot of junk food. Extracting deep-fried food and meats can be difficult for our stomachs. And this is where peppermint can help you a lot.
Peppermint can calm the muscles of your stomach and improve digestion. Since peppermint has a numbing effect, it can relax the muscles of your stomach. And then food can pass at a faster rate.
Chop your mint leaves and boil them for 5 minutes. And that is how to use mint leaves for an upset stomach.
Although, you should be careful using peppermint because of indigestion. If your indigestion is related to GERD, you should avoid peppermint. Cause that can increase the heartburn sensation.
Flatulence / Bloating
If you are feeling bloated or flatulent, peppermint can be at the rescue. Gas can build up in your stomach and that can be really painful.
Peppermint can relax the muscles and let the gas pass and reduce the pain.
(IBS) Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS can have many different symptoms. Such as bloating, gas, pain, and even diarrhea. A few studies have shown that peppermint can enteric-coated peppermint capsules can improve the situation.
Many call this peppermint stomach pain. Using peppermint oil can better your situation.
Peppermint can be used if you have IBS. And, adults and children both can take peppermint if they have IBS. Also, in a study, they have also found peppermint can reduce abdominal pain as well.
Skin Irritation and Itching
As we said before, peppermint has a numbing effect. So, if you have any irritation or itching, peppermint can neutralize the area momentarily. All you need to do is, make a paste of peppermint and apply it to the area.
Make sure you are using fresh peppermint and applying evenly.
Headaches
Any pain related to the head is highly irritating and painful. There can be many reasons related to headaches. But peppermint helps you to numb the pain for a while.
In this scenario, make a paste of the peppermint as well. And spread the paste over your forehead. Remove peppermint after 10 to 15 minutes. You can feel the numbing sensation that has reduced the headaches.
How to Consume Peppermint?
So, by now you know peppermint can help you with a lot of things. But what is the right way to consume peppermint? There are different ways you can take peppermint. Also, the amount is different for adults and kids. So check the section below before you jump in.
Kids
Don’t give peppermint to older children or infants. Especially don’t use peppermint oil on the skins of any kid. The mint can burn the skin since children have really vulnerable skin.
If you are wondering, how to use peppermint oil for acid reflux? Peppermint oil will also worsen your acid reflux situation.
If you are looking for peppermint oil to purchase, check the links below. Both of these oils are highly concentrated.
Since both of these peppermints are highly concentrated, you only need a few drops.
Also, peppermint tea can have a burning sensation in the mouth. Which can be harmful to many children. So it’s better to avoid using peppermint for children.
Many ask, is peppermint tea good for acid reflux? No, it’s not. The answer is the same, is peppermint candy good for acid reflux?
But if you really want to, use peppermint glycerite. Which is especially suitable for children. Also, use 1 or 2 ml at max per day.
Adults
Adults can take peppermint in different ways. And the amount can differ depending on the method. So follow the required amount for specific methods.
- To make peppermint tea, use 5 grams of leaves for a cup of water. Leave the leaves for 10 minutes and it’s ready to consume. Also, you can have large quantities of peppermint tea.
- If you are taking peppermint capsules, go for 1 or 2 capsules per day. Taking high doses of peppermint capsules can be harmful. Consider capsules only if you have IBS. If you are asking for the best time to take peppermint oil capsules, it’s before your meals.
- If you have headaches, you can use peppermint oil or paste. Use ethanol with peppermint oil and apply a thin coat on your forehead. A thin coat will evaporate quickly and that is what you want.
- For itching and rashes, use peppermint paste or peppermint-based cream. Use the ointment up to 2 or 3 times a day.
Which Foods Cause Acid Reflux?
There is a lot of food that can cause acid reflux. Mainly foods that involve a lot of oil. Such as fast food, deep-fried food, cheese, chips, bacon, sausage, etc.
Even peppermint can cause acid reflux. Also, tomato and citrus fruits can cause acid reflux as well. So, avoiding these foods or consuming them in a minimal amount can prevent acid reflux. But how can you reduce acid reflux? Let’s learn about that.
How to Reduce Acid Reflux?
If you’re experiencing acid reflux and heartburn, there are a few home remedies you can use. Follow the list below to know about the home remedies.
Milk
Using dairy is the best thing you can use when you have acid reflux.
Using milk is a good decision because the protein in the milk can reduce the acid. But there are a lot of different kinds of milk on the market. Which type of milk should you use? You should be looking for non-fat kinds of milk.
If you use full-fat milk, it can worsen the situation. But non-fat milk can stop acid reflux within moments. The non-fat milk can act as a wall between the opening of the esophagus. And can stop the acid from flowing to the top.
Ginger
The best digestive aid is ginger. Also, ginger can be used in other scenarios as well.
Ginger has anti-inflammatory and alkaline properties. So when you are experiencing burning sensations try out ginger tea. It can ease your stomach and make you feel better in no time.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Using more acid when you are already battling with acid seems weird. Also, there are no studies backing this statement. But many users said it eases their stomach a lot.
But you should be careful while using apple cider vinegar. Never use apple cider vinegar at full concentration. Put 1 or 2 teaspoons in warm a cup of water and sip on that.
Lemon Tea
Like apple cider vinegar, lemon tea can be a bit contradictory. Because lemon tea itself is very acidic. But you should not have lemon tea all by itself. You should mix lemon juice with lukewarm water and honey.
This mixture will create an alkalizing effect and neutralize the stomach acid. On top of that, honey has natural antioxidants in it. Which can improve the health of cells in your stomach.
And these are what are good for acid reflux. But what can peppermint help you with? Let’s jump below and learn about peppermint!
FAQs
Does Peppermint Affect Diabetic Drugs?
Peppermint can affect diabetic drugs. It can also affect the condition of your diabetics. Peppermint can lower blood sugar in your blood. If you have high blood pressure, peppermint can lower it down. But reducing it too much can cause hypoglycemia.
Does Peppermint Affect Liver Drugs?
Peppermint can affect drugs for the liver. Because peppermint works mainly on the liver. And that is why it can reduce or upscale the effect of many liver drugs. Consult your doctor if you take medication for your liver.
Does Antihypertensive Drugs Affect by Peppermint?
Peppermint can lower blood pressure. But the study is based on other animals. If you are already taking drugs to lower your antihypertensives, peppermint can make the drug much stronger.
Endnote
So, that was everything you needed to know about is peppermint good for acid reflux. Peppermint is good for a lot of things, but not for acid reflux.
Consulting your doctor before taking any herb as a medication is really important. Also, there are other ways you can prevent or reduce acid reflux.
Good luck with your health condition!
