The infusions of certain plants can offer a natural and pleasant remedy for discomfort such as gas. We choose the most effective for you.
Infusions for gases: summary
In this article you will find detailed information about the following infusions.
- Mint: Promotes heavy digestion and decreases inflammation and gases.
- Ginger: Avoid gas thanks to its anti-inflammatory and circulatory properties.
- Chamomile: Indicated for indigestion, nausea and gas.
- Fennel: Slows down the natural fermentation processes of food and, therefore, the generation of gases.
- Melissa: Relieves mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating and flatulence.
- Cardamom: Its anti-inflammatory properties help relax the stomach muscles.
Discover more details of the benefits and how to use each infusion below.
Essential tips to reduce gases
These infusions can help you treat specific gas problems. However, there are other factors that can help you reduce them and that involve changing some eating habits.
- Reduce the consumption of flatulent foods.
- Reserve adequate time for meals. Eat slowly, chew properly and avoid talking too much.
- Avoid eating gum and candy.
- Increase water consumption. Avoid soft drinks, beer and carbonated drinks in general.
If the problem is common, you should seriously assess the need to see a specialist for a correct diagnosis. If the meteorism is, for example, linked to an intolerance to certain foods, you should identify and eliminate those elements from your diet.
Infusions for gases
It will not cost you much to get medicinal infusions with properties to reduce gases. Numerous manufacturers offer commercial brands that combine one or more of these plants in the form of convenient infusion sachets. You can find most of them in any supermarket. If you have difficulties, you can always go to your favorite herbalist.
Mint tea
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is known in folk medicine to help treat problems related to the digestive system. This infusion is indicated to promote heavy digestion and reduce the appearance of gas.
Mint is one of the oldest herbs with medicinal uses. It was used as a remedy by the ancient Greeks, Arabs and Chinese. Its essential oils, including menthol, reduce inflammation.
If you suffer from heartburn, you should watch your consumption of this infusion, since it can make it worse.
Ginger infusion
The rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officinale) is well known in the traditional medicine of several Asian countries to help combat nausea and vomiting. It is a very common ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine preparations.
Ginger also helps treat problems related to digestion. Its infusion prevents the appearance of gases, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and to help circulation.
Components such as gingerol stimulate gastric processes, facilitating digestion.
The ginger infusion has an intense flavor that is not suitable for all palates. You can soften its itching with a little lemon.
Chamomile
Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ) is one of the main infusions in many homes to solve day-to-day ailments.
It is often used to relieve the stomach, as it has restorative and protective properties of the gastric membrane. Chamomile is indicated for indigestion, nausea and gas.
Other uses of chamomile include treating minor inflammations of the skin, mouth, or throat, and relieving cold symptoms.
Fennel infusion
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is used by herbalists as an herb with diuretic and carminative properties. This makes it one of the most effective gas infusions.
Fennel stimulates digestion and helps expel gas, reducing bloating and a swollen belly. During the digestive phase, it also acts by slowing down the natural fermentation processes of food and, therefore, the generation of gases.
It is also notably used in the field of child health, for the treatment of colic.
Lemon balm infusion
The infusion of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has interesting properties to relieve mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating and flatulence.
This native herb of the Mediterranean region produces a pleasant infusion, with an intense aroma of lemon. Apart from its digestive properties, it also has relaxing effects and is a good sleep inducer.
Cardamom infusion
Cardamom is famous for its carminative properties. Accompanying or finishing your meals with an infusion of cardamom can facilitate digestion and prevent the appearance of gas. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties that would help relax the stomach muscles.
The properties of cardamom have also been studied for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, although the results are still uncertain.
How many gases are “normal”?
According to health-related topics in a simple and straightforward way, most people expel gas in the form of belching or flatulence between 13 and 21 times a day.
If you suffer from other symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or vomiting, it is advisable to discuss the matter with a specialist. In some cases, the underlying cause of gas can be some type of food intolerance or other problems that must be diagnosed.
The appearance of gases is related to food intake. Foods with a high fiber content tend to favor its appearance. Also the way they are consumed can increase gas. Eating fast or consuming soft drinks are factors that affect the volume of gases generated.
Learn more: carminatives
Let’s get technical for a moment. Substances capable of mitigating the appearance of gases in the digestive tract and, therefore, curbing flatulence are called carminatives.
Carminatives usually act by slowing down the fermentation processes of food in the intestinal flora and by mitigating spasms of the stomach muscles.
Gas is a common problem, so of course the pharmaceutical industry markets numerous carminative drugs. However, there are also many natural remedies that have carminative properties. Some plant-based foods such as onions, saffron or oranges are natural carminatives.
There is a wide variety of medicinal herbs with carminative effects. Some of them can also be taken in the form of a delicious infusion and thus combine an effective remedy with a pleasant way to finish off a good meal.