Peppermint and Reduced Abdominal Pain

Research synthesisModerate evidenceModerate effect4 studies · 4 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 4 studies, all 4 report beneficial effects of peppermint oil on abdominal pain, with moderate effect sizes in the highest-quality meta-analysis (RR=0.76, NNT=7). Evidence is most robust for adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), though benefits are also noted in pediatric populations. Doses and forms were not consistently reported across studies.

Studied populations: adults with IBS, infants and children with abdominal pain or disorders of the gut-brain interaction

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Doses and specific forms of peppermint oil were not consistently reported, limiting precision in recommendations.

Generated Jul 16, 2026

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityIncreased riskRR of any adverse event = 1.57; 95% CI 1.04-2.37
Adverse event rates were significantly higher with peppermint oil (RR of any adverse event = 1.57; 95% CI 1.04-2.37).
from: Systematic review and meta-analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrom
Overall tolerabilityReported
probiotics and peppermint oil have a fair record of benefits and safety
from: Current use of complementary and conventional medicine for treatment of pediatric patients
gastro-oesophageal refluxReported
occurrence of any adverse event or of gastro-oesophageal reflux.
from: Systematic review and meta-analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrom

4 of 4 papersPopulation:

Systematic review and meta-analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome.
- 2022-08-09
- Meta-Analysis · n = 1,030
- Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 56(6)
- - Maria Rosa Ingrosso
  - Gianluca Ianiro
  - Judy Nee
  - Anthony J Lembo
  - Paul Moayyedi
  - Christopher J Black
  - Alexander C Ford
- PubMed: 35942669
- DOI: 10.1111/apt.17179
2 Insights on
- Reduced Abdominal Pain
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Peppermint oil was more efficacious than placebo for abdominal pain (RR of abdominal pain not improving = 0.76; 95% CI 0.62-0.93, NNT = 7; 95% CI 4-24)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
[Phytotherapeutic recommendations in medical guidelines for the treatment of gastroenterological diseases - a systematic review].
- 2024-04-11
- Systematic Review
- Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie 62(07)
- - Sandra Utz
  - Miriam Bittel
  - Jost Langhorst
- PubMed: 38604221
- DOI: 10.1055/a-2279-5045
7 Insights on
- Reduced Abdominal Pain
- High evidence
use of peppermint oil is 'strongly recommended', especially for pain and flatulence
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Nutraceuticals and Pain Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction in Infants and Children: A Narrative Review and Practical Insights.
- 2024-01-25
- Review
- Nutrients 16(3)
- - Silvia Salvatore
  - Mariagrazia Carlino
  - Simona Sestito
  - Daniela Concolino
  - Massimo Agosti
  - Licia Pensabene
- PubMed: 38337634
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16030349
5 Insights on
- Reduced Abdominal Pain
- Moderate evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
at least two double-blind randomized controlled studies on Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 (10^8 CFU/day for at least 21 days) in breast-fed infants
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
10^8 CFU/day for at least 21 days
Current use of complementary and conventional medicine for treatment of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
- 2023-01-27
- Review
- Frontiers in pharmacology 14
- - Casey L Sayre
  - Venkata Kashyap Yellepeddi
  - Kathleen M Job
  - Lubov V Krepkova
  - Catherine M T Sherwin
  - Elena Y Enioutina
- PubMed: 36778015
- DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1051442
3 Insights on
- Reduced Abdominal Pain
- Low evidence
- Infants
At the same time, probiotics and peppermint oil have a fair record of benefits and safety.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes

Peppermint and Reduced Abdominal Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome.

[Phytotherapeutic recommendations in medical guidelines for the treatment of gastroenterological diseases - a systematic review].

Nutraceuticals and Pain Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction in Infants and Children: A Narrative Review and Practical Insights.

Current use of complementary and conventional medicine for treatment of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal disorders.