Carminative
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A carminative, also known as carminativum (plural carminativa), is an herb or preparation intended to either prevent formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract or facilitate the expulsion of said gas, thereby combatting flatulence.
Name
The word "carminative" is a derivative of Latin cārmen 'card for wool', 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".[1]
Varieties
Carminatives are often mixtures of essential oils and herbal spices with a tradition in folk medicine for this use. Some examples for oils and spices with carminative action are:[citation needed]
- Angelica
- Ajwain
- Anise seed[2]
- Asafoetida
- Basil
- Calamus
- Caraway[3]
- Carom_Seeds
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon[3]
- Coriander
- Cumin[2]
- Dill[3]
- Epazote
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel[2]
- Garlic[4]
- Ginger
- Goldenrod
- Haritaki
- Hops
- Lemon balm
- Liquorice[2]
- Lovage
- Marjoram
- Motherwort
- Muña
- Mustard
- Nigella
- Nutmeg
- Onion
- Orange[3]
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Pepper
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint[3]
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Sage
- Triphala
- Savory
- Spearmint
- Thyme
- Valerian
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
Modern drugs used for the same purpose include simethicone, which, rather than having physiological activity, simply lowers the surface tension of gas bubbles.
Literary references
- The English author Aldous Huxley includes a long passage (chapter 20) about the word "carminative" in his novel Crome Yellow. The character Denis describes how he had loved the word since childhood, and had built up rich, elaborate associations with it until, with disappointment, he had discovered its true meaning.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Hensleigh Wedgwood, A Dictionary of English Etymology, s.v.
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External links
The dictionary definition of carminative at Wiktionary
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