Carminatives

Botanical Medicine 1

Brandy Webb, ND

Main Actions of Carminatives

Relieve intestinal gas, pain, spasm and distention

Settle indigestion Increase absorption Drying; help dispel water and mucus Promote proper peristalsis

Considerations When Using Carminatives

Carminatives tend to be the aromatic herbs with high volatile oil content Oils stimulate the GI nerves to promote

digestions and the dispelling of undigested food Especially useful for digestive weakness

owing to nervousness, anxiety or depression Caution with excess or long term use, which

may be too drying

Syzygium aromaticum

Syzygium aromaticum

Clove Myrtaceae family Constituents

Volatile oils Triterpenes Flavonoids Tannins Phenolic acids

Syzygium aromaticum

Actions Local anesthetic Antibacterial Antiviral Antifungal Antispasmodic Anti-inflammatory Carminative

Foeniculum vulgare

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel Apiaceae family Constituents

Volatile oils Phenolic acids Flavovoids Furanocoumarins Fixed oils (some with Anethole)

Foeniculum vulgare

Actions Aromatic Carminative Antispasmodic Expectorant Antimicrobial Galactagogue Corrigent (flavor enhancer)

Pimpinella anisum

Pimpinella anisum

Anise Apiaceae family Constituents

Volatile oils Coumarins Flavonoids Phenolic acids Fixed oils

Pimpinella anisum

Actions Aromatic Expectorant Antispasmodic Carminative Antimicrobial Bitter

Mentha piperita

Mentha spicata

Mentha piperita

Peppermint Lamiaceae family Constituents

Volatile oils Triterpenes Tannins Flavonoids Coumarins Amines

Mentha piperita

Actions Antispasmodic Bitter Carminative Antimicrobial Mild astringent

Cinnamomun verum

Cinnamomun verum

Cinnamon Lauraceae family Constituents

Volatile oils Cinnamic aldehyde Eugenol

Tannins Mucliage

Cinnamomun verum

Actions Aromatic Bitter Carminative Antispasmodic Antimicrobial Astringent Demulcent