Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol

Peppermint therapies tested for pediatric IBS relief

February 2, 2026

A randomized trial of 228 children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional abdominal pain found that neither peppermint oil capsules nor peppermint-containing sweets outperformed placebo. Treatment success—defined as ≥30% reduction in abdominal pain intensity after 8 weeks—didn't differ between peppermint oil and placebo (P=0.44), nor between placebo and peppermint sweets (P=0.91). Adequate relief (a secondary endpoint) also showed no meaningful differences across groups, with similar outcomes for peppermint oil vs. placebo (P=0.68) and placebo vs. peppermint sweets (P=0.53). Adverse events were mild and infrequent.

Clinical takeaway: Peppermint oil and peppermint sweets remain unproven for pediatric IBS, underscoring the need for further well‑controlled studies before routine clinical use.

Source:

Vermeijden NK, et al. (2026, January 27). Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Peppermint oil and sweets in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain: a randomized trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41610933/