
Ginger, peppermint, dill, and fennel have been used for centuries to help with digestive upset such as flatulence, bloating, and cramps; scientific studies help to back up this herbal remedy. Drink some flatulence tea to help reduce embarrassing gas made with herbs that can calm digestion.
Flatulence Tea Ingredients
- 1 tsp of minced fresh ginger
- 1 tsp of dried fennel or dill seeds, crushed
- 1 tsp of fresh peppermint leaves
- About 2 cups of hot water
Flatulence Tea Instructions
Steep the herbs in hot water for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink. Avoid fennel and dill during pregnancy; may induce menses.
Flatulence Tea Research
Ginger
- Percutaneous application on neck of Zingiber officinale (ginger), Elletaria cardamomum (cardamom) and Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) essential oils in equal parts reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting 50-75%. From: De Pradier, E. (2006). A trial of a mixture of three essential oils in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 16(1), 15-20.
- Ginger aromatherapy was effective in treating postoperative nausea. From: Hunt, R., Dienemann, J., Norton, H. J., Hartley, W., Hudgens, A., Stern, T., & Divine, G. (2013). Aromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 117(3), 597-604.
- Ginger aromatherapy lowered the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the post-anaesthesia recovery. From: Geiger, J. L. (2005). The essential oil of ginger, Zingiber officinale, and anaesthesia. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 15(1), 7-14.
- Ginger, peppermint, aniseed and fennel, citrus fruits, dandelion and artichoke, melissa and chamomile have digestive enhancing activities. From: Valussi, M. (2012). Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 63(sup1), 82-89.
- The following methanol extracts showed activity against Helicobacter pylori which causes gastrointestinal disorders: Myristica fragrans (nutmeg seed), Zingiber officinale (ginger root), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary leaf), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel seed), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Origanum majorana (oregano), and others. From: Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., & Chadwick, L. R. (2005). In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy research, 19(11), 988-991.
- The antioxidant activity of gallic acid and the inhibitory activity of cinnamic acid against Helicobacter pylori found in ginger rhizomes contributed to its gastroprotective ability. From: Nanjundaiah, S. M., Annaiah, H. N. M., & Dharmesh, S. M. (2011). Gastroprotective effect of ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale) extract: role of gallic acid and cinnamic acid in H. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011.
- Ginger had a gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effect in rats. From: Al-Yahya, M. A., Rafatullah, S., Mossa, J. S., Ageel, A. M., Parmar, N. S., & Tariq, M. (1989). Gastroprotective activity of ginger zingiber officinale rosc., in albino rats. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 17(01n02), 51-56.
- Ginger had a protective effect in rats induced with gastric ulcers, likely related to gingerol and shogaol constituents. From: Wang, Z., Hasegawa, J., Wang, X., Matsuda, A., Tokuda, T., Miura, N., & Watanabe, T. (2011). Protective effects of ginger against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Yonago acta medica, 54(1), 11.
Fennel or Dill
- In a study of 25 patients who were also using other medicines, a synergistic blend of Pimpinella anisum (anise), Foeniculum vulgare (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha piperita (peppermint) resulted in nausea relief. From: Gilligan, N. P. (2005). The palliation of nausea in hospice and palliative care patients with essential oils of Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint). International Journal of Aromatherapy, 15(4), 163-167.
- A blend of Pimpinella anisum (anise), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) , Sambucus nigra (elderberry), and Cassia angustifolia has laxative efficacy and is a safe alternative option for the treatment of constipation. From: Picon, P. D., Picon, R. V., Costa, A. F., Sander, G. B., Amaral, K. M., Aboy, A. L., & Henriques, A. T. (2010). Randomized clinical trial of a phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, and Cassia augustifolia for chronic constipation. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 10(1), 1.
- Ginger, peppermint, aniseed and fennel, citrus fruits, dandelion and artichoke, melissa and chamomile have digestive enhancing activities. From: Valussi, M. (2012). Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 63(sup1), 82-89.
- In a study of 118 women who had received a cesarean section, an oral treatment containing dill essential oil taken every 20 minutes reduced flatulance and digestive tract pain over the placebo. From: Fazel, N., Pejhan, A., Taghizadeh, M., Tabarraei, Y., & Sharifi, N. (2017). Effects of Anethum graveolens L.(Dill) essential oil on the intensity of retained intestinal gas, flatulence and pain after cesarean section: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 8, 8-13.
- The following methanol extracts showed activity against Helicobacter pylori which causes gastrointestinal disorders: Myristica fragrans (nutmeg seed), Zingiber officinale (ginger root), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary leaf), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel seed), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Origanum majorana (oregano), and others. From: Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., & Chadwick, L. R. (2005). In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy research, 19(11), 988-991.
Peppermint
- In a study of 25 patients who were also using other medicines, a synergistic blend of Pimpinella anisum (anise), Foeniculum vulgare (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha piperita (peppermint) resulted in nausea relief. From: Gilligan, N. P. (2005). The palliation of nausea in hospice and palliative care patients with essential oils of Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint). International Journal of Aromatherapy, 15(4), 163-167.
- Peppermint oil and menthol exert an antiemetic effect in vitro. From: Heimes, K., Hauk, F., & Verspohl, E. J. (2011). Mode of action of peppermint oil and (‐)‐menthol with respect to 5‐HT3 receptor subtypes: binding studies, cation uptake by receptor channels and contraction of isolated rat ileum. Phytotherapy Research, 25(5), 702-708.
- Peppermint essential oil inhalation may be useful in treating postoperative nausea. From: Lane, B., Cannella, K., Bowen, C., Copelan, D., Nteff, G., Barnes, K., … & Lawson, J. (2012). Examination of the effectiveness of peppermint aromatherapy on nausea in women post C-section. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 30(2), 90-104.
- Peppermint essential oil reduced postoperative nausea. From: Tate, S. (1997). Peppermint oil: a treatment for postoperative nausea. Journal of advanced nursing, 26(3), 543-549.
- Peppermint and spearmint reduced chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. From: Tayarani-Najaran, Z., Talasaz-Firoozi, E., Nasiri, R., Jalali, N., & Hassanzadeh, M. K. (2013). Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha× piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. ecancermedicalscience, 7, 290.
- Seventeen randomized clinical trials for the herbal treatment of non-ulcer dyspepsia were reviews. Nine studies involved peppermint and caraway and showed promising results. More research is necessary. From: Thompson Coon, J., & Ernst, E. (2002). Herbal medicinal products for non‐ulcer dyspepsia. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 16(10), 1689-1699.
- Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Botanical extracts that were most effective against H. pylori included: Carum carvi, Elettaria cardamomum, Gentiana lutea, Juniper communis, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Mentha piperita, Pimpinella anisum, Matricaria recutita, and Ginkgo biloba. From: Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., & Chadwick, L. R. (2005). In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy research, 19(11), 988-991.
- Enteric coated peppermint capsules reduced irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in humans. From: Merat, S., Khalili, S., Mostajabi, P., Ghorbani, A., Ansari, R., & Malekzadeh, R. (2010). The effect of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndrome. Digestive diseases and sciences, 55(5), 1385-1390.
- Peppermint essential oil was effective in reducing abdominal pain in diarrhea predominant IBS transiently. From: Alam, M. S., Roy, P. K., Miah, A. R., Mollick, S. H., Khan, M. R., Mahmud, M. C., & Khatun, S. (2013). Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS-a double blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Mymensingh medical journal: MMJ, 22(1), 27-30.
- Peppermint capsules reduced symptoms of irritable bowels. From: Cappello, G., Spezzaferro, M., Grossi, L., Manzoli, L., & Marzio, L. (2007). Peppermint oil (Mintoil®) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Digestive and liver disease, 39(6), 530-536.
- Peppermint was studied to treat irritable bowel syndrome. From: Carling, L. A. S. S. E., Svedberg, L. E., & Hulten, S. (1989). Short-term treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome: a placebo-controlled trial of peppermint oil against hyoscyaminme. Opusc Med, 34, 55-57.
- Artemisia ludoviciana, Cuphea aequipetala, Ludwigia repens, Mentha piperita, Persea americana, Annona cherimola, Guaiacum coulteri, and Moussonia deppeana showed the highest inhibitory effect against helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes gastrointestinal disorders. From: Castillo-Juárez, I., González, V., Jaime-Aguilar, H., Martínez, G., Linares, E., Bye, R., & Romero, I. (2009). Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 122(2), 402-405.
- In a review of multiple studies, peppermint was more effective than placebo in treating irritable bowel syndrome. From: Ford, A. C., Talley, N. J., Spiegel, B. M., Foxx-Orenstein, A. E., Schiller, L., Quigley, E. M., & Moayyedi, P. (2008). Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bmj, 337, a2313.
- Ginger, peppermint, aniseed and fennel, citrus fruits, dandelion and artichoke, melissa and chamomile have digestive enhancing activities. From: Valussi, M. (2012). Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 63(sup1), 82-89.
- Peppermint and caraway oil relaxed the gall-bladder and slowed small intestinal transit. From: Goerg, K. J., & Spilker, T. H. (2003). Effect of peppermint oil and caraway oil on gastrointestinal motility in healthy volunteers: a pharmacodynamic study using simultaneous determination of gastric and gall‐bladder emptying and orocaecal transit time. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 17(3), 445-451.
- In nine studies, peppermint oil improved gastrointestinal health. From: Grigoleit, H. G., & Grigoleit, P. (2005). Gastrointestinal clinical pharmacology of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine, 12(8), 607-611.
- Peppermint oil enhanced gastric emptying. From: Inamori, M., Akiyama, T., Akimoto, K., Fujita, K., Takahashi, H., Yoneda, M., … & Nakajima, A. (2007). Early effects of peppermint oil on gastric emptying: a crossover study using a continuous real-time 13C breath test (BreathID system). Journal of gastroenterology, 42(7), 539-542.
- Patients treated orally with a peppermint / caraway oil showed good tolerability and reduced symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia. From: May, B., Köhler, S., & Schneider, B. (2000). Efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil in patients suffering from functional dyspepsia. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 14(12), 1671-1677.
- In this mega analysis on herbal remedies for IBS, peppermint was identified as effective from multiple studies. From: Rahimi, R., & Abdollahi, M. (2012). Herbal medicines for the management of irritable bowel syndrome: a comprehensive review. World J Gastroenterol, 18(7), 589-600.
- Peppermint essential oil capsules reduced colonic spasms during a colonscopy. From: Shavakhi, A., Ardestani, S. K., Taki, M., Goli, M., & Keshteli, A. H. (2012). Premedication with peppermint oil capsules in colonoscopy: a double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial study. Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica, 75(3), 349-353.
- Peppermint increased bile flow in rats. From: Trabace, L., Avato, P., Mazzoccoli, M., & Siro‐Brigiani, G. (1994). Cholertic activity of Thapsia chem I, II, and III in rats: Comparison with terpenoid constituents and peppermint oil. Phytotherapy Research, 8(5), 305-307.
- An essential oil blend including rosemary, lemon, and peppermint rubbed on the abdomine reduced constipation in the elderly. From: Kim, M. A., Sakong, J. K., Kim, E. J., & Kim, E. H. (2005). Effect of aromatherapy massage for the relief of constipation in the elderly. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 35(1), 56-64.
- Reasons for peppermint oils spasmolytic effect on the gastrointestinal tract are discussed. From: Grigoleit, H. G., & Grigoleit, P. (2005). Pharmacology and preclinical pharmacokinetics of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine, 12(8), 612-616.
- In a meta-review of 12 randomized controlled trials and 591 patients, peppermint essential oil showed spasmolytic activity related to IBS. From: Ford, A. C., Talley, N. J., Spiegel, B. M., Foxx-Orenstein, A. E., Schiller, L., Quigley, E. M., & Moayyedi, P. (2008). Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bmj, 337, a2313.
- A barium solution mixed with peppermint essential oil was safe and effective for eliminating colonic spasm during an enema procedure. From: Asao, T., Kuwano, H., Ide, M., Hirayama, I., Nakamura, J. I., Fujita, K. I., & Horiuti, R. (2003). Spasmolytic effect of peppermint oil in barium during double-contrast barium enema compared with Buscopan. Clinical radiology, 58(4), 301-305.
- Peppermint essential oil inhibiting the gastric peristalsis in Japanese individuals undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. From: Hiki, N. (2010). [Peppermint oil reduces gastric motility during the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy]. Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine, 68(11), 2126-2134.
- Peppermint essential oil relaxed digestive smooth muscle. From: Hills, J. M., & Aaronson, P. I. (1991). The mechanism of action of peppermint oil on gastrointestinal smooth muscle: an analysis using patch clamp electrophysiology and isolated tissue pharmacology in rabbit and guinea pig. Gastroenterology, 101(1), 55-65.
- Peppermint essential oil was useful as an antispasmodic during esophagogastroduodenoscops. From: Imagawa, A., Hata, H., Nakatsu, M., Yoshida, Y., Takeuchi, K., Inokuchi, T., … & Miyatake, H. (2012). Peppermint oil solution is useful as an antispasmodic drug for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, especially for elderly patients. Digestive diseases and sciences, 57(9), 2379-2384.
- Oral intake of peppermint essential oil was antispasmodic on the digestive tract. From: Mizuno, S., Kato, K., Ono, Y., Yano, K., Kurosaka, H., Takahashi, A., … & Hiki, N. (2006). Oral peppermint oil is a useful antispasmodic for double‐contrast barium meal examination. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, 21(8), 1297-1301.
- Peppermint was spasmolytic during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. From: Solà-Bonada, N., de Andrés-Lázaro, A. M., Roca-Massa, M., Bordas-Alsina, J. M., Codina-Jané, C., & Ribas-Sala, J. (2011). [1.6% peppermint oil solution as intestinal spasmolytic in retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography]. Farmacia hospitalaria: organo oficial de expresion cientifica de la Sociedad Espanola de Farmacia Hospitalaria, 36(4), 256-260.
- Spasmolytic activity of peppermint, sage, and rosemary were assessed. From: Taddei, I., Giachetti, D., Taddei, E., Mantovani, P., & Bianchi, E. (1988). Spasmolytic activity of peppermint, sage and rosemary essences and their major constituents. Fitoterapia, 59, 463-468.
By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA, LMT
4/11/18
4/11/18