Enteric-coated peppermint oil has been shown to be quite helpful in the treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome in several double-blind clinical studies. The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large intestine characterized by some combination of: (1) abdominal pain, (2) altered bowel function, constipation, or diarrhea, (3) hypersecretion of colonic mucus, (4) dyspeptic symptoms (flatulence, nausea, anorexia), and (5) varying degrees of anxiety or depression. It is estimated that approximately 15% of the population has complaints of IBS making IBS by far the most common gastrointestinal disorder.

In the double-blind studies, enteric-coated peppermint oil (ECPO) has been shown to be effective in relieving all symptoms of IBS in approximately 70-85% of cases within a two to four week period. In the latest trial (J Pediatric 2001;138:125-8), 42 children between 8-10 years old with IBS were given ECPO or placebo for 2 weeks. Dosage was 1 capsule 3x daily for children 30-45 kg and 2 caps three times daily for children over 45 kg. After 2 weeks, 76% of the ECPO group reported significant improvements compared to only 19% in the placebo group.

One of the central findings in IBS is a hypercontractility (excessive contraction) of intestinal smooth muscle. Peppermint oil inhibits the hypercontractility of intestinal smooth muscle making it useful in cases of irritable bowel syndrome as well as intestinal colic. In addition to its effects directly on intestinal smooth muscle, peppermint oil also exerts significant effects against Candida albicans – a common yeast implicated in many cases of IBS – as well as promoting the excretion of various digestive factors.

Peppermint Oil Complex provides not only peppermint oil, but also caraway and oregano. Several of the clinical trials with peppermint oil featured it in combination with caraway oil – a known carminative (a substance that promotes the elimination of intestinal gases) and digestant (a substance that promotes general digestion). Oregano oil is emerging as a popular treatment of intestinal candidiasis. The volatile oil fractions of all three plants in this formula exert significant antifungal and antiparasitic properties.