Why Peppermint Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Photo: Getty Images
“How about a nice cup of peppermint tea?” Do you remember your mother or grandmother offering that simple remedy whenever you complained of a mild stomachache?
Over the generations, more and more Americans have caught on to peppermint as a provider of relief. Even those with more serious stomach conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, have turned to peppermint. And recently, scientists have figured out exactly why peppermint works.
A study out of Australia that will soon be reported in the journal Pain explained that peppermint activates an “anti-pain” channel in the colon. Even in cases of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, peppermint contributes to pain relief, according to Dr. Stuart Brierley from the University of Adelaide.
In a University news release Brierley added, “Our research shows that peppermint acts through a specific anti-pain channel called TRPM8 to reduce pain-sensing fibers, particularly those activated by mustard and chili."
Among the triggers for irritable bowel syndrome are fatty and spicy foods, coffee and alcohol, but Brierley said the connection between what we consume and the onset of pain is complex. He said he is encouraged by the possibility of using peppermint to find a “mainstream” clinical treatment for IBS, given that it can be such a debilitating condition.
The Australian study also looked at whether an IBS patient who at some point has had gastroenteritis can have nerve pain fibers that are “heightened,” or more susceptible to discomfort.
On his website, Dr. Andrew Weil, a longtime practitioner of alternative medicine, said that peppermint often doesn’t get its due as a remedy for gastrointestinal complaints because it’s so familiar and commonplace. Yet in alternative medicine, irritable bowel patients often take enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil. And peppermint tea is useful for the upper gastrointestinal tract and for relief of heartburn, indigestion and nausea, the site suggested.
Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment1 Comments
Deborah,
Thank you for writing a great article about peppermint.
To learn how to use therapeutic grade essential peppermint oil, please go to the thread on the group site. It also has research on the benefits of peppermint oil for I.B.S.
http://www.empowher.com/groups/essential-oils-everyday-living/posts/pepp...
May 4, 2011 - 7:52pmThis Comment