Evidence supporting the use of: Peppermint
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Peppermint oil is scientifically validated for use in supporting and treating gas and bloating, primarily due to its antispasmodic effects on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The active component, menthol, acts as a calcium channel blocker, helping to relax the intestinal muscles, which can alleviate symptoms of bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort.

Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules for the relief of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by gas and bloating. A 2014 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology concluded that peppermint oil is significantly more effective than placebo in reducing global IBS symptoms, including bloating and flatulence. The American College of Gastroenterology's 2021 guidelines also recommend peppermint oil as a treatment option for global symptoms of IBS, based on moderate-quality evidence.

Traditional use of peppermint for digestive complaints dates back centuries in both Western and Eastern herbal medicine. However, its modern therapeutic application for gas and bloating is now supported by clinical data. It is important to note that most studies involve enteric-coated capsules to minimize the risk of heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux that can occur with non-coated preparations.

In summary, the use of peppermint oil for gas and bloating is supported by both tradition and a robust body of scientific evidence, with a strong safety profile when used appropriately.

More about Peppermint
More about Gas and Bloating

Other ingredients used for Gas and Bloating

Acacia
Actinidin
Activated charcoal
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Akebia
Alginic acid
Allspice
alpha-galactosidase
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
amylase
anamu
Angelica
Angostura
anise
antifoam agent
apple
apple cider vinegar
arrowroot
artichoke
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
atractylodes
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
banana
basil
bayleaf
Belamcanda
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bentonite
Bergenia
beta-pinene
bicarbonate
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bile salt
birch
bitter grass
bitter principals
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
blackthorn
blue flag
boldo
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Buddha\'s hand
Butea monosperma
buttermilk
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
calamus
camphor oil
Campylandra fimbriata
capers
capsicum
caraway
cardamom
Carlina
carob
carqueja
carry me seed
carvone
cascara sagrada
castor oil
cayenne pepper
cellulase
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
Centipeda
cha de bugre
chamomile
chanca piedra
chen pi
Chenopodium
chervil
Chinese silkvine
chirata
Chlorophytum
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Clerodendrum indicum
coca
coconut milk
coconut oil
cola nut
colocynth
colombo
commiphora
coriander
cosmos
costus
cubeb
cucumber
cumin
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
dandelion
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
dill
dimethylpolysiloxane
dogwood
Dolichos
dragonhead
elecampane
Embelia
English horsemint
enzyme blend
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Erodium cicutarium
Eupatorium
false calumba
fennel
fenugreek
fern
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fleabane
flowering quince
Fomes fomentarius
four-leaved grass
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Fumaria parviflora
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
genipap
gentian
gentian root
Gentiana calycosa
Gentianella alborosea
geranium
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Glucofrangulin
Gnaphalium
goldenrod
grains of paradise
Greek mountain tea
green banana
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Hedychium spicatum
Helicteres isora
Hemicellulase
Homalomena
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Indian bael
inula racemosa
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
Javanese Long Pepper
Jicama
karaya gum
Kefir
Khella
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus plantarum
Laggera pterodonta
Large-leaf gentian
lemon
lemon balm
licorice root
Lilium polyphyllum
lime
linalool
lipase
Litsea
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
lovage
luffa
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
mace
marigold
Mastic gum
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mesquite
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Mint
Morinda
Morning glory
Mountain mahogany
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
Neral
okra
Operculina turpethum
oregano
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osha
Ovate Buchu
Palo Azul
pancreatin
parsley
Parsnip
paw paw
pear
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Peucedanum
Phragmites
Pimpinella
pineapple
Piper chaba
Piper retrofractum
polyphenols
Portulaca
potash
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prepared aconite tuber
prickly ash
Prickly Pear Cactus
probiotics
Prunus
Psacalium peltatum
psyllium
quassia
queen of the meadow
quince
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhubarb
rhubarb root
Rhus coriaria
rockweed
rose
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Sassafras
Savory
schizonepeta
Scirpus
Sedanenolide
Semiaquilegia
Servicetree
Sete sangrias
Shen Qu
Sichuan pepper
Sida cordifolia
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
spearmint leaf
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stone Root
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Sword Bean
Taka amylase
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tansy
Taraxacin
Taraxol
Tarragon
Teri Pod
Thuja
Tiger Nut
Traveler's Joy
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Verbena
Viburnum
Vidanga
Violet
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Wax Gourd
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Wood betony
Wulinshen
Xylanase
Yacon
Yarrow
Yellow Nut Sedge
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zingerone
Zingiberene