[sbrookswest]

It seems to me that most who report good results from peppermint are those with IBS-D. Is this a misperception on my part? Do any of you with IBS-C find that peppermint helps? I'm also concerned that since peppermint is an antispasmodic that it will slow gut motility and, thus, possibly worsen constipation. Any thoughts on this half-baked theory?Thanks for your help and good luck to all.Brooks

 

[Kathleen M.]

Peppermint doesn't seem to be as constipating as the prescription anticholinergic antispasmodics. It usually never has constipation listed as a side effect even on the webpages that will admit it can make heartburn worse.I think some of the problem in constipation is that the contractions are not coordinated so you may reduce the push-me pull-you kind of situation where everything is contracting strongly but nothing is moving. Sometimes even with the more constipating of the antispasmodics sometimes they help with constipation because they calm down the counterproductive contractions more than the drying things up part constipates.

 

[sbrookswest]

Thanks, Kathleen. What you say about IBS-C and gut motility makes sense. I have slow digestion and IBS-C, but i do sometimes feel like my gut is overly-contracting. I'll give peppermint another try. The only time I ever really gave it a try is when I began taking several other supplements. The combination didn't work well for me, but perhaps Peppermint alone will help.