Understanding What Supplements Are Good for Functional Dyspepsia: A Guide to Symptom Relief

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Affecting up to 20% of the population, functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic and often frustrating gastrointestinal disorder with no clear structural cause. When traditional medications fail to provide sufficient relief, many people seek to understand what supplements are good for functional dyspepsia as a potential complementary therapy.

Quick Summary

Functional dyspepsia symptoms may improve with specific supplements, including herbal blends like Iberogast, enteric-coated peppermint and caraway oil, and probiotics to balance gut flora. Digestive enzymes, ginger, and curcumin offer relief by addressing motility issues and inflammation. Melatonin and DGL also show promise for symptom management.

Key Points

Iberogast: This multi-herbal blend is a well-researched option for regulating motility and relieving a wide range of FD symptoms like bloating and pain.
Peppermint and Caraway Oil: This combination, especially in enteric-coated capsules, is effective for reducing abdominal pain and cramps associated with FD.
Probiotics: Certain probiotic strains can help restore gut microbiome balance, which may reduce bloating and discomfort in FD patients.
Ginger: Known for its anti-nausea effects, ginger also accelerates gastric emptying and can reduce post-meal fullness and pain.
Digestive Enzymes: Supplementing with multi-enzymes like amylase, protease, and lipase can aid digestion and alleviate symptoms like fullness and indigestion.
Curcumin and DGL: These supplements offer anti-inflammatory and gut-healing properties that can provide relief for FD symptoms.
Holistic Approach: Supplements should be combined with dietary changes and stress management for the most effective symptom management.

Navigating Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined as persistent or recurrent symptoms of indigestion, such as post-meal fullness, early satiety, and epigastric pain or burning, without an identifiable structural cause. The condition's complex and multifactorial nature—involving impaired gastric emptying, visceral hypersensitivity, and psychological factors—makes finding a single effective treatment challenging. As a result, many people explore complementary approaches, including dietary supplements, to manage their symptoms. Evidence suggests several supplements can offer support by addressing different aspects of FD pathophysiology.

Herbal Remedies for Calming the Digestive System

Herbal supplements offer a multi-targeted approach, leveraging different mechanisms to alleviate various FD symptoms.

Iberogast (STW 5): This liquid herbal preparation contains extracts from nine different herbs, including bitter candytuft, peppermint, and chamomile. It has been extensively researched and shown to relieve multiple symptoms, including bloating, cramps, nausea, and abdominal pain. Iberogast works by regulating gastrointestinal motility, relaxing certain stomach muscles while stimulating others to normalize digestive transport. It also possesses anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties.
Peppermint Oil and Caraway Oil: A combination of these essential oils has proven effective for FD symptom relief, particularly abdominal pain and discomfort. The active component in peppermint, menthol, has an antispasmodic effect by relaxing smooth muscles in the gut. To maximize its effect and prevent premature release in the stomach that could cause heartburn, it is often delivered in an enteric-coated capsule.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Traditionally used for stomach upset and nausea, ginger has been shown to accelerate gastric emptying in FD patients. Its active compounds, like gingerols and shogaols, modulate specific gut receptors, improving motility and reducing symptoms like post-meal fullness, bloating, and nausea.
Curcumin (Turmeric): The active compound in turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Clinical trials suggest that curcumin can effectively reduce FD symptoms, with studies showing similar outcomes to acid-suppressing medications. It is believed to work by calming low-grade gut inflammation.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL): DGL is a form of licorice with the glycyrrhizin removed for safer long-term use. It helps protect and heal the gut lining, and some research indicates it may also suppress H. pylori, a bacterium sometimes associated with FD.
Artichoke Leaf Extract: This supplement may help ease FD symptoms, though more research is needed to fully confirm its efficacy.

Targeting Specific Digestive Functions

Beyond broad-spectrum herbal remedies, other supplements target specific physiological issues common in FD.

Supporting Digestive Processes

Digestive Enzymes: Some FD cases may involve subtle enzyme deficiencies, leading to poor digestion. Multi-enzyme preparations (amylase, protease, lipase) can assist in breaking down food, potentially reducing bloating, fullness, and indigestion after meals. Clinical studies have found that supplementation with these blends can effectively reduce FD symptoms and improve quality of life.
Probiotics: An imbalance of gut bacteria (dysbiosis) is a suspected factor in FD. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, can help restore microbial balance and improve gut barrier function. Specific strains like Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis have shown efficacy in improving FD symptoms. While research results vary depending on the strain, they may help with bloating and reduce symptoms in some patients.

Addressing Gut-Brain Axis Imbalance

Melatonin: Best known as a sleep regulator, melatonin is also found in the gut and plays a role in regulating gastric acid and protecting the stomach lining. Some studies suggest that melatonin supplementation can reduce FD symptoms, with some finding it particularly effective for nocturnal pain. However, more robust trials are needed to confirm its specific efficacy in FD patients.

Comparison of Key Supplements for Functional Dyspepsia


Supplement	Primary Action	Targeted Symptoms	Key Considerations
Iberogast (STW 5)	Regulates motility; anti-inflammatory; antispasmodic.	Bloating, cramps, nausea, abdominal pain, fullness.	Multi-targeted, well-researched, but contains alcohol.
Peppermint/Caraway Oil	Antispasmodic; muscle relaxant.	Abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating.	Best in enteric-coated form; can cause heartburn.
Ginger	Promotes gastric emptying; anti-nausea.	Nausea, fullness, bloating, epigastric pain.	Can increase bleeding risk with blood thinners.
Curcumin	Anti-inflammatory; antioxidant.	Epigastric pain, burning, potential for addressing inflammation.	May have comparable effects to PPIs.
Digestive Enzymes	Aids food breakdown.	Fullness, bloating, indigestion after meals.	Effective for those with subtle enzyme deficiencies.
Probiotics	Rebalances gut microbiota.	Bloating, discomfort, gut barrier issues.	Efficacy is strain-specific; results can vary.

Considerations for a Holistic Approach

While supplements can be a powerful tool, they are best used as part of a broader strategy that addresses lifestyle factors. Dietary changes are crucial, such as avoiding foods high in fat, excessive alcohol, and coffee, which can trigger symptoms. Stress management techniques like meditation or exercise can also be beneficial, as psychological factors play a significant role in FD. Always consult a healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement, especially if you have other medical conditions or take other medications, as some supplements can interact with prescription drugs.

Conclusion

For individuals seeking relief from functional dyspepsia, several supplements show promise. Herbal formulations like Iberogast and the combination of peppermint and caraway oil can address motility and pain, while digestive enzymes can aid food breakdown and reduce fullness. For those with imbalances in gut flora, probiotics offer a targeted approach. Other options like ginger, curcumin, and DGL provide anti-inflammatory and gut-protective benefits, and melatonin may assist with symptoms, particularly nocturnal ones. The optimal approach involves a combination of targeted supplementation, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications, all under the guidance of a healthcare provider. While not a cure, these supplements can play a significant role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life for those with functional dyspepsia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most recommended and well-researched herbal supplement is Iberogast (STW 5), which is a liquid preparation of nine different herbal extracts. It has demonstrated effectiveness in treating symptoms like bloating, cramps, nausea, and abdominal pain by regulating gut motility.

A combination of peppermint and caraway oil provides relief through antispasmodic action, relaxing the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce cramping and pain. To be most effective, it should be in an enteric-coated capsule to ensure it reaches the intestines and avoids causing heartburn.

Yes, probiotics may help relieve FD symptoms, particularly bloating, by helping to restore a balanced gut microbiome. The effectiveness can be strain-specific, with some studies highlighting benefits from strains like Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis.

Ginger is known for its ability to speed up gastric emptying and alleviate nausea, which can reduce the sensation of post-meal fullness. It may also help with epigastric pain and bloating.

Yes, digestive enzymes can be beneficial, especially for those with subtle enzyme deficiencies. Supplementation with multi-enzyme formulas containing amylase, protease, and lipase can improve digestion and lessen symptoms like bloating and postprandial fullness.

Yes, curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm low-grade gut inflammation often implicated in FD. Clinical trials suggest it can reduce FD symptoms effectively.

Yes, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement. They can help confirm the diagnosis, rule out underlying organic diseases, and ensure the supplement is safe for your specific condition and won't interact with other medications you are taking.