They are different and help different things. Peppermint helps with pain and spasms and fennel reduces bloating. Ginger is good too with nausea and pain. I make my tea with 75% or so fennel and 25% peppermint. If I am nauseous I make gingerroot tea. So you have to have fennel tea to help with bloating!!! and it should be strongly brewed. And you have to follow the diet to a T or you will not see results. Give up alcohol and all other triggers immediately or I will not help you anymore. Lukewarm tea is ok. I like the heat of the tea too on my tummy and find it soothing but the antibloating properties are there at any temp. A hot tea cup feels nice sort of set on your tummy too!
-------------------- IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!