Carminative
{{Short description|Herb or preparation for the gastrointestinal tract}}
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 or {{clarification needed span|text=facilitating its expulsion.|reason=This is contradictory, as flatulence *is* the expulsion of gastrointestinal gas.|date=October 2024}}
Name
The word carminative is a derivative of Latin {{lang|la|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".[https://archive.org/details/adictionaryengl03wedggoog/page/n334 Hensleigh Wedgwood, A Dictionary of English Etymology, s.v.]
Varieties
{{refimprove section|date=June 2014}}
Carminatives are often mixtures of essential oils and spices with a tradition in folk medicine.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Some examples include:
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Agasyllis
- Angelica
- Ajwain
- Anise seed{{cite journal|last1=Pitasawat|first1=B|last2=Choochote|first2=W|last3=Kanjanapothi|first3=D|last4=Panthong|first4=A|last5=Jitpakdi|first5=A|last6=Chaithong|first6=U|title=Screening for larvicidal activity of ten carminative plants.|journal=The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health|date=Sep 1998|volume=29|issue=3|pages=660–2|pmid=10437975}}
- Asafoetida
- Basil
- Calamus
- Caraway{{cite journal|last=Harries|first=Nicola |author2=James, K. C. |author3=Pugh, W. K. |title=Antifoaming and Carminative Actions of Volatile Oils |journal=Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics |date=1 July 1977 |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=171–177 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2710.1977.tb00087.x}}
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Coscoll
- Cnidium monnieri (She Huangzi)
- Cumin
- Dill
- Epazote
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Garlic{{cite book|title=The Living Gut|date=2008|publisher=Nottingham University Press|isbn=9781904761570|author=W.N. Ewing|author2=Lucy Tucker }}
- 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
{{div col end}}
Modern drugs used for the same purpose include simethicone, which simply lowers the surface tension of gas bubbles rather than having {{clarification needed span|text=physiological effects.|reason=What is meant by "physiological effects"? This is opaque. And the distinction between whatever is intended (on the one hand) and (on the other) is also unclear.|date=October 2024}}{{cn|date=October 2024}}
See also
- Antiflatulent
- {{slink|Flatulence|Management}}
- Anti-foaming agent
- Dalby's Carminative