Effect of Peppermint as One of Carminatives on Relieving Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) During Pregnancy

Abstract

This is an intervention study aimed at studying the effectiveness of peppermint on relieving gastroesophageal reflux disease "GERD" during pregnancy .It was conducted at out patient antenatal clinic of Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital after obtaining faculty ethical committee approval. The sample was consisted of 221 pregnant women. Tools used for data collection consisted of woman's knowledge structured interviewing questionnaire regard peppermint; woman's diary regard GERD symptoms improvement with peppermint use, gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom assessment scale (GSAS) and supportive material in the form of an Arabic leaflet was used. Results revealed improvement in pregnant women knowledge regard GERD & peppermint, before and after intervention. As regard analysis and variation in women's GERD symptoms, mean number of symptoms and mean distress score before and after using peppermint a highly statistically significant difference was detected before and after intervention which indicated marked improvement in GERD symptoms after using peppermint. Also strong positive correlation was proved between pregnant women compliance regard peppermint use instructions & GERD relieve measures and means GERD distress score at pre and post intervention. The study concluded that use of carminatives as peppermint tea, beside compliance to lifestyle measures are effective on relieving GERD Grade 1 (NERD) during pregnancy. The study recommended using of peppermint tea in-between meals for relieving of GERD during early stages of pregnancy. Further studies are still needed to determine the effect of using peppermint in different forms on relieving GERD during pregnancy.