Carminatives Health Dictionary

A collection of gas in the stomach or bowels. In the former case the gas is expelled from time to time in noisy eructations (see ERUCTATION) by the mouth; in the latter it may produce rumblings in the bowels, or be expelled from the ANUS.

Causes When gas is found in large amount in the bowels, its production is usually due to fermentation set up by bacteria.

Treatment Flatulence in the stomach is treated by relieving the DYSPEPSIA which causes it. It may also be relieved, or eased, by the administration of CARMINATIVES. Flatulence may be aggravated by anxiety. If the ?atulence is due to, or aggravated by, the habit of swallowing air, the patient must try and break the habit. To reduce intestinal ?atulence, a sufferer may require a change of diet to easily digestible foods.... flatulence

Mill.

Synonym: A. Vera Tourn. Ex Linn. A. indica Royle A. littoralis Koening

Family: Liliaceae; Agavaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated throughout India, wild on coasts of Maharashtra, Gujarat and South India.

English: Curacao Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Indian Aloe, Jaffarabad Aloe.

Ayurvedic: Kanyaasaara, Eleyaka (dried juice of the leaves). Kumaari, Kumaarikaa, Kanyaa, Grihkanyaa, Ghritkumaarika (plant).

Unani: Gheekwaar, Sibr.

Siddha/Tamil: Sotru Kattraazhai, Kumaari. Moosaambaram (dried juice).

Folk: Elwaa, Musabbar (dried juice of leaves).

Action: Purgative (causes griping), emmenagogue. Gel—topically emollient, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (used for wound healing, sunburn).

Key application: In occasional constipation; contraindicated in intestinal obstruction and acutely inflamed intestinal diseases, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.)

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the use of dried juice of leaves in dysmenorrhoea and diseases of the liver.

Aloe vera improved the hypoglycaemic effect of glyburide (gliben- clamide) when one tablespoonful aloe juice was given orally in the morning and at bedtime to 36 diabetic patients for 42 days. The juice (same dose) showed antihyperglycaemic activity (independently). (Francis Brinker.)

Anthraquinone glycosides, known as aloin, in small doses act as a tonic to the digestive system, and at higher doses become a strong purgative, as well as increase colonic secretions and peristaltic contractions. Resin fraction is also as important as aloin in cathartic action. In A. barbadensis the highest percentage of aloin is 21.8%.

Aloe produces pelvic congestion and is used for uterine disorders, generally with Fe and carminatives. The pulp is used in menstrual suppressions.

A molecule in the Aloe vera gel, ace- mannan, stimulates macrophages and releases immune system potentiators; enhances function of T cells and interferon production. Animal studies have shown promising results in sarcoma.

The carboxypeptidase and salicylate components of Aloe gel can inhibit bradykinin, a pain-producing agent; C-glycosyl chromone appears to reduce topical inflammation. Aloe gel also slows or inhibits the synthesis of thromboxane, which may accelerate the healing of burns. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Dosage: Leaf pulp juice—10-20 ml. (CCRAS.) Dried leaf pulp juice— 125-500 mg powder. (API Vol. I.)... aloe barbadensis

Eugenia caryophyllata. N.O. Myrtaceae.

Synonym: Clavos.

Habitat: Indigenous to the Molucca Island, cultivated in Zanzibar, Madagascar, Java, Penang.

Features ? Flower buds brown ; nail-shaped, calyx tube encloses ovary containing tiny ovules; four calyx teeth surrounded by unopened corolla consisting of four petals.

Part used ? Flower buds.

Action: Stimulant, aromatic, carminative.

Combined with more specific remedies in flatulence and other affections of the alimentary tract. Is an excellent carminative to reduce griping action of purgatives. Dose, 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of the infusion.

Coffin holds that Cloves are the most powerful of all the carminatives.... cloves

Aerophagia. Swallowing mouthfuls of air. Usually associated with indigestion. Treatment. Carminatives, antacids.

Teas: any one: Aniseed, Balm, Caraway seeds, Cardamom seeds, Cinnamon bark, Fennel seeds, Dill seeds, Parsley. 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes; dose half-1 cup freely.

Ginger: powder, crystallised or tincture. Horseradish sauce. Few grains Cayenne pepper. Oil Peppermint: 1-2 drops in honey. ... air swallowing

See: CARMINATIVES. ... anti-flatulents

Hayne.

Synonym: I. jalapa Scheide and Deppe.

Exogonium purga (Hayne) Benth.

Family: Convolvulaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in the Nilgiris and Poona.

English: Jalap.

Folk: Jalaapaa.

Action: Strong cathartic and purgative. Usually used with carminatives.

Resin from dried root (commercial jalap) contains beta-D-quinovoside of 11-OH-tetradecanoic acid. The glycosi- dal resin is known as "convolvulin'l... ipomoea purga

Aqua waters are weak and simple solutions of volatile oils in distilled water obtained either by distillation or by simple solution. Still popular as harmless carminatives in infantile colic, mild antispasmodics, etc.

A natural basis for skin lotions (Witch Hazel).

Dill water. (Anethi). Dill seeds 4oz; water 2 and a quarter litres. Distil down to 1 and a quarter litres. Dose: 1-3 teaspoon for children’s colic.

Aniseed water. (Anisi). Aniseeds 4oz; distilled water 2 and a quarter litres. Distil down to 1 and a quarter litres. Antispasmodic for children’s colic, teething troubles, etc. Dose: 1-3 teaspoons. Elderflower water. (Sambuci). Elderflowers 8oz; distilled water 1 and a quarter litres. Distil down to one-fifth. Eye lotion.

Eyebright water. (Euphrasia). Eyebright herb and flowers 4oz; distilled water 2 and a quarter litres. Distil down to 1 and a quarter litres. Antihistamine eye lotion. ... aquae waters

Bitters are stimulants to the autonomic nervous system. They stimulate ‘bitter’ taste buds in the mouth that reflexly initiate secretion of a special hormone into the blood stream increasing production of stomach and pancreatic juices and impelling the liver to release bile into the duodenum. Bitters increase acid production and are given about half an hour before meals. To sweeten them is to nullify their effect.

Bitters increase the appetite, assist assimilation, and are indicated for perverted or loss of the sense of taste (zinc). They reduce fermentation in the intestines and are of value in hypoglycaemia and diabetes mellitus. Bitters are not carminatives. Some, such as Gentian, Calumba and Chamomile are also sialogogues (increasing the flow of saliva). Another effect, little understood, is an increase in white corpuscles in the peripheral circulation.

Aletris, Angostura, Avens, Balmony, Barberry, Betony, Bogbean, Boneset, Calumba, Centuary, Chicory, Condurango, Feverfew, Gentian, Goldenseal, Holy Thistle, Hops, Quassia Chips, Rue, Southernwood, White Horehound, Wormwood.

Not used in presence of gastric ulcer. ... bitters

Severe watery diarrhoea caused by a microscopic single-celled organism of the genus shigella which may enter through the mouth, pass the stomach barrier and multiply in the lower intestine and bowel. Diarrhoea gives way to scanty slimy stools mixed with blood and shreds of mucous membrane due to abscesses on the villi. The classical bowel trouble of the armies of history. See: NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.

Symptoms. Fever, cramping abdominal pain, weight loss, serious fluid loss, appetite disappears. Treatment. Herbal antibiotics. These include carminatives to allay griping and deal with the infection.

Powerful astringents should not be given as they delay elimination of bacteria. Teas may be taken internally as supportive to primary treatment, and can also offer a soothing enema.

A daily gruel of Slippery Elm bark forms a soothing coating on the bowel and helps to carry off the bacillus in the stool. Cases require good nursing, warmth, and condition of the heart monitored.

Relief has been reported by the use of purgative doses of castor oil combined with Lobelia and Valerian (to relieve pain). Prescriptions would include an analgesic. Always beneficial is a daily wash- out of the bowel with a strong infusion of Boneset, Chaparral, Ladies Mantle or carrot juice.

Dr Melville Keith, physician, recommended Raspberry leaf tea in frequent drinks.

Alternatives. Agrimony, Balm, Bistort, Calamus, Catnep, Cranesbill, Echinacea, Fenugreek, Goldenseal, Ladies Slipper, Nettles, Raspberry leaves, Red Clover, Sage, Shepherd’s Purse, Smartweed, Wild Indigo, Wild Yam, Yarrow.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Yarrow, Shepherd’s Purse, Fenugreek seeds. 2 teaspoons to each cup water; bring to boil; simmer for 5 minutes; allow to cool; 1 cup every two hours.

Decoction. Formula. Equal parts, Fenugreek seeds, Cranesbill, Echinacea, Valerian. One heaped teaspoon to 2 cups water. Simmer gently 20 minutes; cool; 1 cup every two hours.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Cranesbill 1; Valerian 1; Peppermint half. Dose – Liquid Extracts: One 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). In water, honey or Fenugreek tea thrice daily. Acute cases: every 2 hours.

Clove of Garlic crushed in honey.

Enema. Any teas from above agents injected. Carrot juice as an enemata.

Practitioner. (1) Ipecacuanha BP (1973). Dose 0.25-1ml.

(2) Alternative. Combined tinctures – Aconite 10 drops; Ipecacuanha 20 drops, Wild Indigo 20 drops. Distilled water to 4oz. Dose: one teaspoon hourly. (Dr Finlay Ellingwood).

History. Dr Wooster Beach, New York Medical Society, writes: “500 Oneida Indians went down with dysentery in one season. All recovered by the use of Blackberry root while their white neighbours fell before the disease.”

Traditional. 2 teaspoons dried Blackberry root to each 2 teacups water gently simmered 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup every 2 hours.

Diet. No solid foods. Plenty of fluids – oatmeal porridge, boiled rice, semolina, pasta, Slippery Elm.

Treatment by or in liaison with general medical practitioner. ... dysentery, bacillary