Flatulence: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Flatulence, the release of gas from the digestive system, is a natural bodily function, but excessive passing of gas can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.

It occurs when undigested carbohydrates, such as beans and cabbage, are fermented by bacteria in the gut. Excessive consumption of dairy products, spicy foods, and carbonated beverages can also cause flatulence.

The negative impacts of flatulence on health can range from social anxiety to more serious issues like digestive disorders. To relief flatulence, herbal remedies like ginger, peppermint, and fennel can be effective.

However, when using medicinal herbs, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow recommended dosages, as some herbs can interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of flatulence, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of flatulence?

The main causes of flatulence are the breakdown of undigested carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers in the large intestine by gut bacteria, producing gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.

Swallowed air, often from eating or drinking too quickly, can also contribute to flatulence, as can the fermentation of sugars by bacteria in the colon. Beans, cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables are known to be high in raffinose, a complex sugar that is difficult for the body to digest, leading to gas production. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroparesis, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), can increase flatulence.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menstruation can also lead to increased gas production due to changes in gut motility and hormone levels.

• Lactose: Consuming lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, can lead to the production of gas in the digestive system, as the body struggles to break down lactose due to a lack of lactase enzyme, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane.
• Beans: Beans, particularly those high in raffinose, a complex sugar, can cause flatulence as the body's inability to digest raffinose leads to the production of gas, including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
• Wheat: Wheat and other gluten-containing grains can cause flatulence in some individuals due to a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, which can lead to an imbalance of gut bacteria, resulting in the production of gas.
• Fructose: Consuming fructose, a sugar found in fruits, honey, and some vegetables, can cause flatulence in individuals with fructose malabsorption or intolerance, leading to an imbalance of gut bacteria and the production of gas.
• Sorbitol: Sorbitol, a sugar found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some fruits, can cause flatulence as it is not fully digested by the body, leading to the production of gas and water in the large intestine.
• Xylose: Xylose, a sugar found in some fruits and vegetables, can cause flatulence in individuals with xylose malabsorption or intolerance, leading to an imbalance of gut bacteria and the production of gas.
• Sulfur: Sulfur, found in garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables, can cause flatulence as it is broken down by gut bacteria into hydrogen sulfide, which is released as gas.
• Yeast: Consuming yeast, found in fermented foods such as bread and beer, can cause flatulence as it is broken down by gut bacteria into carbon dioxide and other gases.
• Caffeine: Consuming caffeine, found in coffee, tea, and chocolate, can cause flatulence as it can stimulate the movement of food through the digestive system and lead to an increase in gas production.
• Carbonated drinks: Consuming carbonated drinks, such as soda and sparkling water, can cause flatulence as the carbon dioxide is released as gas in the digestive system.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for flatulence?

The main medicinal herbs used for flatulence are Foeniculum vulgare, Zingiber officinale, Cuminum cyminum, Curcuma longa, Cinnamomum verum, Mentha x piperita, Pimpinella anisum, Ficus carica, Coriandrum sativum, Carum carvi.

Foeniculum vulgare, also known as fennel, contains estragole and anethole, which have been shown to have carminative properties, relieving flatulence by reducing gas production in the gut. Zingiber officinale, or ginger, has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation in the digestive system, a common cause of flatulence. The essential oils in Cuminum cyminum, or cumin, and Curcuma longa, or turmeric, have been shown to have carminative and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively, further aiding in the relief of flatulence.

Other herbs such as Cinnamomum verum, Mentha x piperita, Pimpinella anisum, Ficus carica, Coriandrum sativum, and Carum carvi, or caraway, have also been traditionally used to alleviate flatulence, although the mechanisms and effectiveness of these herbs require further research.

• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, also known as sweet fennel, contains volatile oils that help reduce gas and alleviate flatulence due to its carminative properties.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has been traditionally used to alleviate nausea and gas, thereby helping to reduce flatulence.
• Cuminum cyminum: Cuminum cyminum, commonly known as cumin, has been used in traditional medicine to treat flatulence due to its ability to relax the muscles in the digestive tract and reduce gas production.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, contains curcumin, a bioactive compound that has anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, which help to alleviate gas and reduce flatulence.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum, also known as true cinnamon, has been used in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues, including flatulence, due to its warming and carminative properties.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, contains menthol and menthone, which help to relax the muscles in the digestive tract and reduce gas production, thereby alleviating flatulence.
• Pimpinella anisum: Pimpinella anisum, or anise, contains anethole, a volatile oil that has carminative properties, helping to reduce gas and alleviate flatulence.
• Ficus carica: Ficus carica, or fig, has been traditionally used to treat digestive issues, including flatulence, due to its ability to stimulate digestion and reduce gas production.
• Coriandrum sativum: Coriandrum sativum, or coriander, contains linalool and geraniol, which have carminative properties, helping to reduce gas and alleviate flatulence.
• Carum carvi: Carum carvi, or caraway, contains carvone, a volatile oil that has carminative properties, helping to reduce gas and alleviate flatulence.

What are the main herbal preparations used for flatulence?

The main herbal preparations used for flatulence are Decoction, Capsules, Tincture, Suppository, Gel, Powder, Salve, Pills, Cream, Tea.

Decoction involves steeping herbs like Peppermint, Ginger, and Fennel in hot water to release their essential oils, which ease digestion and reduce gas. Capsules, often containing Ginger, Fennel, or Chamomile, are used to release the active ingredients into the gut, where they can help alleviate flatulence. Tinctures, typically made from herbs like Dandelion root and Fennel, are applied sublingually to stimulate digestion and reduce bloating.

Other preparations like Suppositories, Gels, Powders, Salves, Pills, Creams, and Teas also contain anti-inflammatory and carminative herbs like Fenugreek, Turmeric, and Ginger, which help to reduce gas and alleviate flatulence symptoms.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of the Peucedanum ostruthium or Angelica archangelica plant helps with flatulence due to its high content of sesquiterpene lactones and other bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system.
• Capsules: Capsules containing powdered seeds of the Foeniculum vulgare plant help with flatulence due to the presence of fennel essential oils, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system and promoting the expulsion of gas.
• Tincture: A tincture of the roots of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant helps with flatulence due to its high content of glycyrrhizin, a saponin compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system.
• Suppository: A suppository of the Myrrh tree (Commiphora molmol) helps with flatulence due to its high content of terpenes and resin acids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system and promoting the expulsion of gas.
• Gel: A gel of the roots of the Aloe barbadensis plant helps with flatulence due to its high content of aloin and aloe-emodin, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system.
• Powder: A powder of the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant helps with flatulence due to the presence of cuminum essential oils, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system and promoting the expulsion of gas.
• Salve: A salve of the leaves of the Plantago lanceolata plant helps with flatulence due to its high content of flavonoids and terpenes, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system.
• Pills: Pills containing powdered seeds of the Carum carvi plant help with flatulence due to the presence of caraway essential oils, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system and promoting the expulsion of gas.
• Cream: A cream of the roots of the Valeriana officinalis plant helps with flatulence due to its high content of valepotriates and valerenic acid, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system.
• Tea: A tea of the leaves of the Lippia dulcis plant helps with flatulence due to its high content of flavonoids and terpenes, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and carminative properties, reducing gas and bloating in the digestive system.