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I borrowed the definition below from David Hoffmann, as I like the way he describes the action of carminatives. While I apply many of the herbs mentioned below, mint is the one that I often reach for, as it is in my kitchen herb bed, right outside my door. I often do not even prepare it, I simply eat the leaf. A simple remedy. I also have sage in my greenhouse, so in the winter I often reach for it, sage tea is delightful. So what are some of your favorites and experience with carminatives? Even if you don't know this word, you have probably applied this herbal medicine. If you have ever eaten in an Indian resturaunt you probably ate fennel seeds after your meail. Do share.
Blessings
Linda
Carminatives' main action is to soothe the gut wall, easing griping pains and reduce the production of gas in the digestive tract. This is usually due to the complex of volatile oils present, which have a locally anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and mildly anti-microbial effect upon the lining and the muscle coats of the alimentary canal.
Although the carminative action is directly upon the intestinal tract, this leads to a more generalized effect on body systems. For example, carminatives may occasionally ease apparent heart symptoms through removing the pressure of flatulence and digestive pain.
Herbal Carminatives
Angelica
Aniseed
Balm
Caraway
Cardamom
Celery Seed
Chamomile
Cinnamon
Dill
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Garlic
Ginger
Hops
Motherwort
Mustard
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Sage
Thyme
Valerian
Wintergreen
Wormwood
posted by:
Blessings
Linda
Carminatives' main action is to soothe the gut wall, easing griping pains and reduce the production of gas in the digestive tract. This is usually due to the complex of volatile oils present, which have a locally anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and mildly anti-microbial effect upon the lining and the muscle coats of the alimentary canal.
Although the carminative action is directly upon the intestinal tract, this leads to a more generalized effect on body systems. For example, carminatives may occasionally ease apparent heart symptoms through removing the pressure of flatulence and digestive pain.
Herbal Carminatives
Angelica
Aniseed
Balm
Caraway
Cardamom
Celery Seed
Chamomile
Cinnamon
Dill
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Garlic
Ginger
Hops
Motherwort
Mustard
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Sage
Thyme
Valerian
Wintergreen
Wormwood
posted by:
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Wisconsin
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Re: Carminatives
Wed, November 4, 2009 - 12:41 PMMy understanding is that carminatives also increase peristaltic action, which is the "moving things along" motion of the digestive tract. Therefore they are recommended for an upset stomach, but not for diarrhea, for example.
Fennel and mint are favorites of mine. I grew up with a fennel tea that is made by boiling fennel seeds in water for about 5 minutes. It is good hot or cold, and if you like you can chew on the seeds after drinking the tea -- they are softer and a bit swollen from being boiled.
A friend mine who is Italian taught me that in his family they did a very similar thing with bay leaves. This was served after meals to help digestion. So now I sometimes make it with fennel and bay together -- a tasty combination.
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Re: Carminatives
Wed, November 4, 2009 - 2:35 PMI'm with you on the fennel. I learned about chewing the seeds after a meal from eating at Indian restaurants. I tend to chew very slowly on a few seeds vs. making a tea, mainly because it's easier.
I also use fennel seeds when I cook beans, to help make them more digestible.
Right now I'm drinking angelica tea with sage honey. Angelica is pretty intense; I didn't use much of the root at all for a pot of tea, and wow! I would classify it as not your everyday carminative. It was much less harsh-tasting after I added the honey, which I don't normally do, but it's perfect for my throat right now.
I feel the angelica going to my chest vs. my digestive area, but maybe that's because that's where my issue is right now.
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