IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) affects up to 20% of all Canadians – predominantly women – and is characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort along with changes in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation or both.
Researchers found peppermint oil significantly helpful in 40% of cases.
While some IBS drugs have been pulled from the market over safety concerns or lack of effectiveness, Canadian researchers now report that older treatments, including peppermint oil and soluble fibre. Dr. Alexander Ford of McMaster University in Hamilton and colleagues reviewed studies comparing the therapies with placebo or no treatment in more than 2,500 adult patients with the disorder.
"This systematic review and meta-analysis has shown that fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil are all more effective than placebo in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome,"the study’s authors wrote.
Peppermint oil seemed to be the most promising based on the number needed to treat. Based on the combined data, the researchers estimated that one in 2.5 patients would get significant relief of symptoms if treated with peppermint oil, compared to one in five patients taking antispasmodics and one in 11 patients taking fibre.
The beneficial effect of fibre seemed to be limited to soluble forms of fibre(such as psyllium and acacia, or found in foods such as beans, peas, apples and carrots) rather than insoluble forms such as wheat bran, the researchers said.
Peppermint oil is typically sold in capsules, and the study participants took about 200 mg two or three times a day.
Source: CBC News, Nov 14, 2008