A carminative, known in Latin as carminativum (plural carminativa), is a herb or preparation intended to combat flatulence either by preventing formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract orfacilitating its expulsion.
Name
The word carminative is a derivative of Latin cārmen "card for wool", according to Hensley Wedgewood, on the humoral theory that carminatives "dilute and relax the gross humours from whence the wind arises, combing them out like the knots in wool".
Varieties
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Carminatives are often mixtures of essential oils and spices with a tradition in folk medicine. Some examples include:
- Agasyllis
- Angelica
- Ajwain
- Anise seed
- Asafoetida
- Basil
- Calamus
- Caraway
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Coscoll
- Cnidium monnieri (She Huangzi)
- Cumin
- Dill
- Epazote
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Goldenrod
- Haritaki
- Hops
- Lemon balm
- Liquorice
- Lovage
- Marjoram
- Motherwort
- Muña
- Mustard
- Nigella
- Nutmeg
- Onion
- Orange
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Pepper
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Sage
- Triphala
- Savory
- Spearmint
- Thyme
- Valerian
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
Modern drugs used for the same purpose include simethicone, which simply lowers the surface tension of gas bubbles rather than having physiological effects.
See also
References
- Hensleigh Wedgwood, A Dictionary of English Etymology, s.v.
- ^ Pitasawat, B; Choochote, W; Kanjanapothi, D; Panthong, A; Jitpakdi, A; Chaithong, U (Sep 1998). "Screening for larvicidal activity of ten carminative plants". The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 29 (3): 660–2. PMID 10437975.
- ^ Harries, Nicola; James, K. C.; Pugh, W. K. (1 July 1977). "Antifoaming and Carminative Actions of Volatile Oils". Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2 (3): 171–177. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.1977.tb00087.x.
- W.N. Ewing; Lucy Tucker (2008). The Living Gut. Nottingham University Press. ISBN 9781904761570.
External links
The dictionary definition of carminative at Wiktionary