11 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

herbal essential oils for irritable bowel syndrome

Herbal essential oils for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are plant-based extracts that have been traditionally used to alleviate symptoms of the condition, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements.

These oils can be highly beneficial in treating IBS due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and soothing properties.

Some of the most commonly used herbal essential oils for IBS include peppermint oil, which helps to relax the muscles in the digestive tract and reduce spasms; ginger oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to soothe nausea and digestive discomfort; fennel oil, which can help to relax the digestive system and reduce bloating; chamomile oil, which has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help to reduce stress-related IBS symptoms; lemon balm oil, which can help to soothe digestive issues and promote relaxation; and clary sage oil, which can help to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

By incorporating these oils into their treatment plan, individuals with IBS may find relief from their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

According to "Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD", essential oils, specifically fennel essential oil, when combined with curcumin, may be useful in providing symptom relief for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to its antispasmodic and carminative effects.

Below there's a list of the 11 best herbal essential oils for irritable bowel syndrome.

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1. Zingiber officinale essential oils

herbal essential oils with Zingiber officinale

Zingiber officinale essential oils, derived from the rhizomes of the ginger plant, have been traditionally used to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The anti-inflammatory and carminative properties of this herbal preparation help to soothe the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and gas, which are common causes of IBS symptoms.

The bioactive constituents of Zingiber officinale essential oils, including gingerols and shogaols, have been found to exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which contribute to its therapeutic effects in treating IBS.

By reducing inflammation and modulating gut motility, Zingiber officinale essential oils can help to alleviate symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, providing relief and improving the overall quality of life for individuals suffering from this condition.

Related Study

According to "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Zingiber officinale essential oils for irritable bowel syndrome may have potential therapeutic effects through the regulation of inflammatory responses within the colon, as seen in the KM1608 formulation that showed significant attenuation of colitis symptoms.

2. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils

herbal essential oils with Foeniculum vulgare

Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, extracted from the seeds of the common fennel plant, have been traditionally used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to their carminative, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.

These properties help to relieve abdominal pain, bloating, and gas associated with IBS, while also soothing the digestive tract and improving digestion.

The bioactive constituents of Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, including anethole, limonene, and fenchone, have been identified as key players in its therapeutic effects, with anethole in particular exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic activity.

The benefits of using Foeniculum vulgare essential oils to treat IBS include reduced symptoms, improved quality of life, and a natural, non-pharmacological approach to managing this often debilitating condition.

Related Study

According to "Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD", Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, which are found in fennel, showed significant antispasmodic and carminative effects, contributing to symptom relief in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when combined with curcumin.

3. Silybum marianum essential oils

herbal essential oils with Silybum marianum

Silybum marianum essential oils, also known as milk thistle oil, have been traditionally used to treat various health issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of this herbal preparation help to soothe the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of the gut lining.

The bioactive constituents, including silymarin and flavonoids, have been found to have a protective effect on the gut, preventing damage from oxidative stress and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

The benefits of using Silybum marianum essential oils to treat IBS include reduced symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating, improved digestion, and enhanced overall gut health.

4. Curcuma longa essential oils

herbal essential oils with Curcuma longa

Curcuma longa essential oils, derived from the turmeric plant, have been found to possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

The bioactive constituents, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, present in these oils exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which aid in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress associated with IBS.

By modulating the gut microbiome and reducing inflammation, Curcuma longa essential oils help alleviate symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

The benefits of using Curcuma longa essential oils to treat IBS include improved gut health, reduced inflammation, and enhanced overall well-being, making it a promising natural remedy for this chronic gastrointestinal disorder.

Related Study

According to "Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD", Curcuma longa essential oils, when combined with fennel essential oil, can induce symptom relief in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reducing mean relative IBS symptoms by 50.05% after 30 days of treatment.

5. Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils

herbal essential oils with Glycyrrhiza glabra

Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils have been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and carminative properties.

The anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, while the antioxidant properties protect the gut from oxidative stress, and the carminative properties alleviate gas and bloating.

The bioactive constituents of Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils, including glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, have been shown to help soothe the digestive tract and improve symptoms of IBS.

By reducing inflammation and protecting the gut, Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils can provide relief from IBS symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Related Study

According to "Current pharmaceutical biotechnology", Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils show potential in managing irritable bowel syndrome by modulating the mRNA expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) and suppressing 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) or the serotonin receptors.

6. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils

herbal essential oils with Lavandula angustifolia

Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been traditionally used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to their antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to relax the muscles in the digestive tract and reduce inflammation.

The bioactive constituents of Lavandula angustifolia, including linalool and linalyl acetate, contribute to its therapeutic effects by inhibiting the contraction of smooth muscle cells and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

By using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils, individuals with IBS may experience relief from symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, leading to improved quality of life and reduced stress levels.

The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils for IBS treatment include reduced severity of symptoms, improved digestion, and enhanced overall well-being.

Related Study

According to "Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity", Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been found to possess antispasmodic activities, which may help in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

7. Mentha x piperita essential oils

herbal essential oils with Mentha x piperita

Mentha x piperita essential oils, derived from peppermint, possess carminative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that help to alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

This herbal preparation helps to treat IBS by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and spasms, and improving digestion, thereby providing relief from abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea.

The bioactive constituents of Mentha x piperita essential oils, including menthol, menthone, and limonene, contribute to its therapeutic effects by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals and reducing gut motility.

Regular use of Mentha x piperita essential oils can provide benefits such as reduced symptoms, improved quality of life, and enhanced overall digestive health in individuals with IBS.

Related Study

According to "The American journal of gastroenterology", Mentha x piperita essential oils for irritable bowel syndrome may be efficacious for symptom relief, as indicated by a metaanalysis of five double blind, randomized, controlled trials.

8. Melissa officinalis essential oils

herbal essential oils with Melissa officinalis

Melissa officinalis essential oils, derived from the leaves of the lemon balm plant, have been traditionally used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to their anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.

The bioactive constituents present in Melissa officinalis, such as rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and luteolin, help to relax the smooth muscles in the digestive tract, reducing spasms and cramps associated with IBS.

By reducing inflammation and modulating the gut microbiome, Melissa officinalis essential oils help to alleviate symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements.

The benefits of using Melissa officinalis essential oils to treat IBS include improved digestion, reduced symptoms, and enhanced overall gut health.

Related Study

According to the "Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility", Melissa officinalis essential oils for irritable bowel syndrome may ameliorate symptoms by modulating visceral hypersensitivity and defecation patterns, and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties seem to play important roles in its pharmacological activity.

9. Cinchona officinalis essential oils

herbal essential oils with Cinchona officinalis

Cinchona officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to their anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial properties.

The bioactive constituents of Cinchona officinalis, such as quinine and cinchonidine, help to relax the smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing spasms and inflammation.

By modulating the gut-brain axis and reducing stress, Cinchona officinalis essential oils may help to alleviate symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements.

The benefits of using Cinchona officinalis essential oils to treat IBS include reduced inflammation, improved gut motility, and enhanced overall digestive health, leading to a better quality of life for those affected by this chronic condition.

10. Ginkgo biloba essential oils

herbal essential oils with Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba essential oils are derived from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree and have been traditionally used to treat various gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of Ginkgo biloba essential oils help to reduce inflammation and alleviate abdominal pain, thereby providing relief from IBS symptoms.

The bioactive constituents of Ginkgo biloba essential oils, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, have been found to improve gut motility, enhance digestion, and reduce oxidative stress, making it an effective treatment for IBS.

The benefits of using Ginkgo biloba essential oils to treat IBS include reduced frequency and severity of abdominal pain, improved bowel habits, and enhanced overall gut health.

11. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils

herbal essential oils with Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, derived from the leaves of the rosemary plant, have been found to exhibit therapeutic properties that aid in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of this herbal preparation help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain and bloating.

The bioactive constituents, including carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, have been shown to possess gastroprotective and anti-spasmodic effects, which help to soothe the digestive tract and regulate bowel movements.

Regular use of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils has been found to provide relief from IBS symptoms, improve digestive health, and enhance overall well-being.