Peppermint Oil and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Peppermint Oil and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=2752

Author:

 

Kingham JGC

 

Source:

 

The Lancet, 1995;346:986.

 

Abstract:

 

In the United Kingdom, peppermint oil is currently being prescribed

for

the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Known for

generations as

a digestive aid and a carminative, it has not yet been determined

whether this more recent use of the oil is effective or beneficial.

Peppermint oil has been shown to act as a spasmolytic to intestinal

muscle in vitro, but whether or not this is clinically relevant is

uncertain.

It has been reported anecdotally that the instillation of peppermint

oil

into the colon during colonoscopy or barium enema may reduce spasm,

thereby lessening the need for intravenous spasmolytics. The results

of

one randomized clinical trial involving 141 patients undergoing

barium

enemas are encouraging. The patients received either standard barium

sulphate or a suspension with added peppermint oil; fewer of those

to

whom peppermint oil was administered needed an added intravenous

spasmolytic (5 vs. 9) or exhibited spasm (23 vs. 39). Intravenous

spasmolytics are inconvenient to administer and are more expensive

than

peppermint oil. Further research into the pharmacological activities

and

applications of peppermint is called for.

 

Peppermint oil has been reviewed and approved by the German

Commission E

for its safety and efficacy for use in IBS. An enteric coated

peppermint

oil capsule is available on the US market and is presumable useful

for

patients with IBS.

 

 

 

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