Carminative

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A carminative, also known as carminativum (plural carminativa), is an herb or preparation that either prevents formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract, or facilitates the expulsion of said gas, thereby combating flatulence.

[edit] Varieties

Carminatives are often mixtures of essential oils and herbal spices with a tradition in folk medicine for this use. Examples:


Modern drugs used for the same purpose include simethicone which, rather than having physiological activity, simply lowers the surface tension of gas bubbles. See anti-foaming agent.

[edit] 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 explains how unfortunate it is that some words don't mean what they ought to mean.

[edit] External links

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