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

I like these. They really help. I have IBS-C symptoms that come on, induced by my Stage III Endometriosis. Every single time at the tail end of my period for about a week after I get terrible inflammation that just throws my tum/ pelvic region all out of wack. A bit of TMI coming up but hey, look at what the product is.I've had these for nearly 8 months now and am just now ordering another bottle since I'm almost out. I learned to take them only when I intuit it's necessary, or if I wake up having one of those mornings that have me in terrible pain (or nights really). In the beginning, I was just taking them expecting them to solve all of my problems. And while they definitely worked, I didn't always like the >way< that they worked at times. Like if I was "constipated" and not ready to poop it would make me ready to pass some harder stools quicker than my body would have naturally, which made things uncomfortable and unpleasant in a way that I can't describe as I've never experienced that before.So, I stopped taking them for a while. I did break them out for Christmas though as I spent it over my partner's place and shockingly I didn't experience any pain at all and I felt normal, even with eating high FODMAP foods for two days. I took the Heather's strategically, and I believe I drank the Bigelow lemon ginger probiotic tea at some point to supplement the Heather's (**** I never drink tea at the same time as the Heather's, or within a few hours of taking them, just to be safe).The next month in January I started taking Renew Life Women's Care Probiotic (15 billion Go Pack to start, then later upped it to the 25 billion). Since taking that religiously, daily, I've found that I can take the Heather's as a precaution when I want to venture out into higher FODMAP items, or on days where my Endo has my IBS-C in a rut. I can now take the Heather's without feeling that strange unpleasant feeling mentioned previously. What I realized is that before with the Heather's I was trying to treat the symptom alone without treating the root cause, but now that I'm treating the root by encouraging a healthy gut in conjunction with the symptoms that come with inflammation from endo I can find relief faster and spend less time in pain just waiting for it to pass.I always take them on an empty stomach. I make sure it's been at least two hours since I've last eaten, an hour since drinking. Ideally more when possible. I take a capsule with about 3 sips of water MAX. I set a stopwatch and at the 15 minute mark I allow myself to drink some water. At the one hour mark is when I allow myself to eat. If I have to take one before bed (which I only due if an absolute emergency) I make sure I wait 15 mins before completely laying down to avoid any of the reflux stuff that can come with these. I personally never experienced that with these but better safe than sorry.

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.