Gastrintestinal - peppermint and caraway for dyspepsia

by Jill Hoppe

Medical Herbalism 11(3):17

A 1999 randomized controlled double-blind German study compared the effects of a peppermint (Mentha piperita) and caraway (Carum carvi) oil combination (PCC, Enteroplant) to cisapride (a gastrointestinal stimulant) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. The study evaluated the efficacy in 118 outpatients with dyspepsia. Sixty patients received an enteric-coated peppermint/caraway oil combination containing 90 mg. peppermint oil plus 50 mg. caraway oil twice daily, and 58 patients received 10 mg. cisapride, three times daily for four weeks. The mean reduction of the pain score, recorded on a visual analog scale, was comparable in both groups (peppermint with caraway score = 4.62, while cisapride score = 4.60). The frequency of pain was also measured, with a reduction by 4.65 points using the peppermint/caraway oil and 4.16 points using cisapride. Comparable results were attained with both treatments in the Dyspeptic Discomfort Score. Corresponding results in both treatment groups were found in the Helicobacter pylori-positive patients and patients with intense epigastric pain. Adverse effects were reported in twelve patients taking the peppermint/caraway oil combination and in fourteen patients taking cisapride. The authors state “the combination preparation consisting of peppermint oil and caraway oil appears to be comparable with cisapride and provides and effective means for treatment of functional dyspepsia.
 

Copyright 2001 Paul Bergner    100