Peppermint Oil, Herbal, and Homeopathic Remedies

Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) use herbal and homeopathic remedies to help manage their symptoms. These may be used in combination with traditional medicines (complementary medicine), or as alternatives to traditional medicine.

Herbal remedies refer to the use of plant and plant extracts. Homeopathy is the practice of treating people with the smallest amounts of substances, which may include herbal remedies, and is a holistic practice that seeks to cure the person on the physical, mental and emotional levels.

There are many different herbal and homeopathic remedies, but only some have been studied in clinical trials. The most clinically proven herbal remedy for IBS is peppermint oil.¹ It is important to know that herbal and homeopathic remedies are not regulated by the FDA.

Herbal remedies for IBS

Other herbal remedies that have been investigated by researchers as possible treatment options for IBS include the following.

Curcuma longa (Turmeric)

In an 8-week study, people receiving Curcuma longa (also known as turmeric) reported significant improvements in their quality of life and reduction in abdominal pain and discomfort. Approximately two-thirds of all subjects reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment.

Cynara scolymus (artichoke)

Cynara scolymus has demonstrated effectiveness to have both preventive and therapeutic roles in IBS. In one study, people receiving Cynara scolymus (also known as artichoke) reported a decrease in the severity of their symptoms, and 96 percent of people rated this treatment as better than or at least equal to previous therapies. Another study showed a decrease in IBS symptoms by 26.4 percent with a significant shift in self-reported bowel pattern from “alternating constipation/diarrhea” to “normal.”

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort)

Hypericum perforatum is a popular herbal medicine for the treatment of depression and may be beneficial in the management of IBS due to its effects on psychological stress and serotonin. There are conflicting results in trials for the efficacy of Hypericum perforatum, although it has shown some effectiveness in improving psychological symptoms and helping with stress-related IBS symptoms.

Iberis amara (candytuft)

People treated with Iberis amara showed significant improvement in their IBS symptoms compared to placebo in a 4-week trial.

Maranta arundinacea (arrowroot)

Maranta arundinacea was studied in people with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). It reduced diarrhea and decreased abdominal pain.

Plantago psyllium

The effectiveness of Plantago psyllium in IBS was determined in a randomized trial. People receiving Plantago psyllium reported significantly improved symptoms: after three months of treatment, symptom severity in the Plantago psyllium group was reduced by 90 points, compared to 49 points in the placebo group.

Carmint

Carmint is an Iranian herbal medicine that includes extracts of Melissa officinalis, Metha spicata, and Coriandrum sativum. People who received Carmint in a trial experienced significantly less abdominal pain and discomfort.

Chinese herbal medicine

A Chinese herbal medicine composed of 20 different herbs was compared to a placebo in a trial. People in the Chinese herbal medicine group showed a significant improvement in bowel symptoms.

Padma Lax

Padma Lax is a complex Tibetan herbal formula. In a clinical trial, significant improvement in the symptoms of constipation, abdominal pain, incomplete evacuation, bloating and gas was demonstrated after 3 months of treatment with Padma Lax compared to the placebo.

STW 5 (Iberogast)

STW 5 is a formula composed of extracts from nine herbs. In clinical trials, it has proven effective in reducing abdominal pain and the severity of IBS symptoms.²

Peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita)

Of all the herbal remedies, the most well-studied in clinical trials is peppermint oil, and there is substantial evidence proving its effectiveness. In one placebo-controlled trial, 79 percent of people receiving peppermint oil capsule experienced alleviation of the severity of abdominal pain, 83 percent had less bloating, 83 percent showed a reduction in stool frequency, and 79 percent had less flatulence (gas). Symptom improvements were significantly better than the placebo.

Other trials have also demonstrated the effectiveness of peppermint oil in abdominal pain and quality of life. The most common side effect reported from peppermint oil capsules is heartburn. Taking enteric-coated capsules can help prevent this from occurring. Menthol, the chemical component in peppermint oil, has been shown to have antimicrobial and antispasmodic activity and cause a reduction in gastric motility.²

Additional treatment options for IBS

People with IBS often try many treatment options before finding the right ones that work to best manage their symptoms. In addition to herbal and homeopathic remedies, people with IBS may be treated with medications, probiotics, fiber supplements, stress management or dietary changes.

Before beginning treatment for IBS, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs.