IBS – symptom relief
Adults with a clinician-diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially with abdominal pain and bloating.
adult
digestive
IBS
Reduce abdominal pain
Reduce bloating and gas
Improve gut comfort
Core stack
Peppermint oil (enteric-coated)
B
Form: enteric-coated capsules (e.g., 0.2–0.4 ml/capsule)
Dose: 0.2–0.4 ml three times daily (total 0.6–1.2 ml/day)
30–60 minutes before meals
4–8 weeks (can be cycled)
Why: Meta-analyses and ACG/BSG guidance suggest moderate efficacy for global IBS symptoms, particularly pain.
Cautions
- GERD/heartburn may worsen
- Avoid with gallstones/biliary obstruction
- Not for children <8 years
Sources
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/irritable-bowel-syndrome-and-complementary-health-approaches-science
- https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj-2023-075777
- https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/190294/3/APT-1040-2022R1%20CLEAN.pdf
- https://webfiles.gi.org/links/PCC/ACG_Clinical_Guideline__Management_of_Irritable.11.pdf
Soluble fiber (psyllium husk)
B
Form: powder
Dose: 7–10 g/day (in 1–2 doses) with ≥250 ml water per dose
with meals or between meals
≥4 weeks, then as tolerated
Why: ACG guidelines prefer soluble over insoluble fiber in IBS; meta-analyses show benefit for global symptoms.
Cautions
- Start low to reduce gas/bloating
- Risk of obstruction if hydration is inadequate
Adjuncts
Probiotics – strain-directed, short trials
C
Dose: 4–8 week trial with a well-documented product
Not recommended
- Insoluble fiber (e.g., plain wheat bran) as the main intervention: May aggravate bloating and pain; no advantage in IBS.
Monitoring
- Symptom diary (pain, bloating, stool—BSFS)
- Heartburn check when using peppermint oil