Table 1.
Clinical Trials on Peppermint in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
| Author | N | Age (Years) | Primary Outcome | Dose | Type of Study | Length of Treatment | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kline et al. [12] | 42 | 8–17 | Severity of pain | Capsule: 187 mg of peppermint oil 30–45 kg: 1 capsule TID >45 kg: 2 capsules TID |
Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial | 2 weeks | 75% reduction in severity of pain (p < 0.001) |
| Asgarshirazi et al. [13] | 88 | 4–13 | Duration, frequency, and severity of pain | Capsule: 187 mg of peppermint oil <45 kg: 1 capsule TID >45 kg: 2 capsules TID |
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | 1 month | Duration, frequency, and severity of pain was significantly reduced (p = 0.0001) (p = 0.0001) (p = 0.001) |
| Cappello et al. [14] | 57 | 18–80 | Reduction of IBS symptoms | 225 mg of peppermint oil. 2 capsules BID | Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | 4 weeks | 75% of the patients in the peppermint oil group had reduced IBS symptoms (p < 0.009) |
| Merat et al. [15] | 60 | 36 ± 12 | Absence of abdominal pain or discomfort at week 8 | 0.2 mL peppermint oil TID | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | 8 weeks | 14 participants became pain free by week 8, vs. 6 in the control group (p < 0.001) |
| Alam et al. [16] | 65 | Age unknown | Abdominal symptoms Changes of quality of life | Peppermint oil TID | Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | 6 weeks | Abdominal pain was improved by peppermint oil use (p > 0.001) Quality of life did not improve significantly |
| Cash et al. [17] | 72 | 18–60 | Change in symptoms score | 180 mg Peppermint oil TID | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | 4 weeks | Greater reduction of symptoms in the peppermint group (p = 0.0246) |
BID = twice daily; TID = three times daily.