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Peppermint oil (active ingredient, L-menthol) has antispasmodic properties that could provide therapeutic benefit for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology suggest using peppermint oil to treat patients with IBS symptoms, but the recommendation is rated as “conditional” because of low-quality evidence (Am J Gastroenterol 2021; 116:17). In a new study, 133 patients with moderate-to-severe IBS symptoms were randomized to 180 mg of enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules or soybean oil placebo (thrice daily for 6 weeks). Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease were excluded, because peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter.
At baseline, mean scores on the stan…