Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of an extract from Alpinia spp. for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The extract is prepared by extracting fresh and/or dried fruits of Alpinia spp. plant with a solvent such as a supercritical fluid, water, 10-95% (v/v) ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate or n-hexane, to obtain an extract suitable for the preparation of IBS medicaments. In some embodiments, active compounds with anti-abnormal defecation activity and/or analgesia effect are isolated from the water extract of Alpinia spp.; these compounds are therefore potential lead compounds for use as medicaments for treating IBS.