Herbs and spices have long been used in ancient medicine as carminatives—agents that help expel gas and relief flatulence. The main pharmacological agent is considered to be oils in the plants. These oils relax smooth muscles, thereby allowing gas to escape. In some cases the gas erupts upward through a relaxed sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. Then it is called a burp or a belch. Carminatives also have an antispasmodic, muscle-relaxing effect in the intestine.
FOODS THAT RELIEVE GAS
Alfalfa, Aniseed, Asafoetida, Bishop’s Weed, Butter Milk, Caraway Seeds, Chamomile, Chebulic Myroblan, Cinnamon, Citrus Fruits, Clove, Coconut, Dill, Fennel Seeds, Garlic, Ginger, Mint, Parsley and Pumpkin.
Alfalfa
The seeds of alfalfa, known as ‘King of sprouts’, are of immense value in the maintenance of health. Their daily use can help build up immunity to stomach distress. Alfalfa, in the form of herb tea, provides vital alkalizing benefits for hyperacid stomach and helps prevent gas formation and relieves accumulated gas. It tends to control the flow of hydrochloric acid and aids the action of gastric enzyme, pepsin. The addition of mint to alfalfa tea helps settle disturbed stomach after a sumptuous meal.
Aniseed
This spice possesses gas-relieving property. It is an excellent medicine for expelling wind from the stomach. It can also be taken, in combination with other digestive foods like ginger, cumin and pepper, in the form of an infusion.
An easy way to prepare the infusion is to mix a teaspoon of aniseed in a cup of boiling water and leave it covered overnight. The clear fluid is then decanted and taken with honey. This helps gurgling in the abdomen. This is also useful in preventing gas and fermentation in the stomach and the bowels.
Asafoetida
Asafoetida is a resinous gum of a tall perennial plant, with robust carrot-shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures. Asafoetida is an anti flatulent food. It is an ideal medicine for several stomach disorders. It is one of the best remedies for expelling wind from the stomach. This spice is an ingredient for most of the digestive powders. In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach, Asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and a pad of cloth steeped in it and used for fomenting the abdomen.
Bishop’s Weed
Bishop’s weed has long been used in indigenous medicine for the treatment of various digestive disorders including flatulence and indigestion. For expelling gas from the stomach, the seeds may be eaten with betel leaves. A teaspoon of these seeds with a little rock salt is a household remedy for indigestion and gas formation. The volatile oil extracted from the seeds is also useful in indigestion and gas formation.
It is usually given in doses of 1 to 3 drops. Omum water, that is, the water distilled from the seeds, is an excellent remedy for flatulent dyspepsia. In case of flatulence, bishop’s weed and dried ginger in equal weight may be soaked in two-and-half times the quantity of limejuice. This mixture should than be dried and powdered with a little black salt. About two grams of this powder should be taken with warm water in treating this condition.
Butter milk
Thin buttermilk is a very simple and effective remedy for relieving gas in the stomach. It should be mixed with a quarter teaspoon of pepper powder. For better results, an equal quantity of cumin powder may be added to the buttermilk. Buttermilk enema is also highly beneficial in expelling gas from the stomach.