Need emergency help? Call 999 in United Kingdom.

Open local help

Detailed medicine guidance

How and when to take peppermint oil

NHS medicines information on dosage for peppermint oil, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

About this information

This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.

Dosage and how to take peppermint oil

Dosage

The usual dose of peppermint oil capsules, for adults and children aged 12 years and over, is 1 capsule, taken 3 times a day until your symptoms get better.

You can increase this to 2 capsules, taken 3 times a day, if 1 capsule does not help your symptoms.

How to take peppermint oil capsules

It's best to take peppermint oil capsules around 30 to 60 minutes before food (which can be a meal or snack).

Swallow the capsules whole, with water. Do not break or chew them.

Leave a gap of at least 2 hours between taking a dose of peppermint oil and taking an indigestion medicine. This allows the peppermint oil capsules to work properly.

View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.

Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 ↗. MyPHU is independent and is not endorsed by the NHS.

More about Peppermint oil