Peppermint Oil for IBS: The Evidence Mounts

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common condition that can be worsened by stress and that can seriously affect quality of life. This new study adds to the mountain of evidence showing that peppermint oil is a simple, safe and effective treatment for IBS. A meta-analysis of of 7 studies showed that peppermint oil is significantly better than placebo for global improvement of IBS, and meta-analysis of 6 studies proved it is significantly better for the abdominal pain (BMC Complement Altern Med 2019;19:21). Combined with caraway oil, peppermint oil has been shown to be superior to the drug cisapride (Arneimittlforschung 1999;49:925-32).

Although numerous studies have been published on populations all over the world, for some reason there have been no peppermint oil studies conducted on IBS in Japan. This new study addressed that, though it was only a single-blind study.

68 people were treated with one 187mg peppermint oil capsule taken with meals 3 times a day for 4 weeks. They were each scored for self assessment and physician assessment at 2 and 4 weeks.

On the self assessment, there was 71.6% improvement at week 2 and 85.1% improvement at week 4; on the physician assessment, there was 73.1% improvement at week 2 and 85.1% at week 4.

The improvement was the same whether the IBS was characterized by diarrhoea or constipation.

This new study adds to the large body of evidence for peppermint oil as a safe, effective treatment for IBS.

Biopsychosoc Med. 2024;18:3.

For the latest research to keep you and your family healthy, get The Natural Path delivered to your inbox each month for only $29.99 a year: Subscribe!

For much more on treating IBS naturally, see our book The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia.

For comprehensive natural help with irritable bowel syndrome, make an appointment to see Linda Woolven now. 

The Natural Path is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For health problems, consult a qualified health practitioner for a comprehensive program.

Ask your health food store for The Natural Path Newsletter

People with IBS experience frequent abdominal pain that is associated with irregular bowel function that might manifest as diarrhoea or constipation.

Peppermint oil is a well established natural treatment.