as relaxing the colon will just let it contract more normally and rhythmically.
The newsletter that just went out pointed up a study about the differences between IBS constipation and chronic constipation. One key difference is that pain/spasms are a part of IBS, but not chronic constipation. They haven't really nailed down the cause of CC, but it doesn't seem to be from the dysmotility, mis-timed gut contractions, and weird brain-gut disturbance that characterizes IBS. My guess here is that CC won't be helped by peppermint, since there is no need to relax the gut, and who knows? Maybe the gut is TOO relaxed with CC. But with IBS the motility is just off-kilter and spasms are a hallmark part of the syndrome, so peppermint and the relaxation it causes should only help, for both D and C.
- H
-------------------- Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!