Carminative:Herbs For Gas, Bloating And Indigestion



Herbs that help to dispel gas and prevent bloating are called carminatives. Many familiar culinary herbs like dill and fennel are good examples of carminatives; they add taste to foods as well as preventing and curing gas, bloating and indigestion.


  • Herb Properties
  • Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name


    • See List Herbs by Botanical Name
  • Ajwain Seed Ajwain Seed, Trachyspermum ammi : Ajwan, Ajwon
    herbaceous annual : The high concentration of essential oils in ajwain seeds, primarily thymol, give them an aroma and flavor resembling thyme, with a stronger bite...
  • Angelica root Angelica root, Angelica archangelica : Choraka
    Biennial/Tender Perennial herb : Angelica is a good herb to add to treatments for colds, congestion, and fevers. Angelica root is warming and stimulating to the lungs, helping to ease chest congestion...
  • Anise Seed Anise Seed, Pimpinella anisum : Aniseed
    Annual : Sweet and very aromatic, anise is commonly used to break up congestion, ease coughing and relieve gas and indigestion....
  • Avocado Avocado, Persea americana :
    Subtropical tree : Avocados are a favorite food because of the high fat content that gives them such a creamy, luscious flavor. This puts some dieters off, however, most of the fat is monounsaturated fat,...
  • Basil Basil, Ocimum basilicum : Sweet Basil
    herb : Stellar culinary herb and aromatherapy oil. Stimulates appetite, uplifts mood. The uses of basil are limited only by your imagination....
  • Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot, Monarda didyma : Scarlet Monarda, Oswego Tea, Bergamot, Horsebalm
    perennial herb : This species of mint has an aroma similar to the citrus Orange Bergamot, but the two are not related. A safe herb to use in both animals and humans. Like most mints, bee balm has a special affinity towards the digestive tract. Bee balm has excellent antib...
  • Black Pepper Black Pepper, Piper nigrum :
    Perennial Woody Vine : Freshly ground pepper is a healthy spice, but the uses of black pepper go far beyond the kitchen in herbalism....
  • Calamus root Calamus root, Acorus calamus : Sweet Sledge. Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Flag
    perennial wetland monocot : Sweet flag, or calamus has been in use worldwide in Asian European and Native American herbal traditions since the times of ancient Greece...
  • Caraway Seed Caraway Seed, Carum carvi :
    herb : Caraway, source of the crunchy seeds atop dark rye bread, is also one of the best carminative herbs, acting to prevent gas and bloating. Caraway is a good remedy for colds and congestion and helps to relax the muscles that cause coughing spasms....
  • Cardamom Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum :
    : Cardamom is an incredibly rich yet light aromatic spice and essential oil. Like its close relative ginger, cardamom is well known for relief of nausea, especially morning sickness in pregnancy. ...
  • Catnip Catnip, Nepeta cataria : Catmint, Nep,Catnep
    Perennial herb : A harmless high for felines, and beneficial for humans, Catnip leaves contain considerable quantities of vitamins C and E, both excellent antioxidants...
  • Cayenne Pepper Cayenne Pepper, Capsicum minimum : Capsicum ,African Pepper, Chillies, Bird Pepper
    Tender perennial shrub : Capsicum, an extract from cayenne and other peppers, can dramatically reduce chronic nerve pain, and is effective against chronic pain like arthritis and neuralgia...
  • Celery Seed Celery Seed, Apium graveolens :
    herb : Celery seed helps rid the body of uric acid that often causes pain and inflammation in gout and arthritis. It acts as a natural diuretic and helps to increase circulation....
  • Chamomile Chamomile, Matricaria recutita : Camomile, Chamomilla, German chamomile
    Annual herb : Chamomile is an excellent remedy for any emotional disorders that involve stress, anxiety, and tension. The apple-like aroma relaxes and calms and the tea is used home remedies....
  • Chervil Chervil, anthriscus cerefolium : chervel, sweet cicely
    Annual Herb : Although chervil is considered to be foremost a culinary herb, is also has a history of use in herbal medicine. ...
  • Coriander Coriander, Coriandrum sativum : Chinese parsley, Cilantro
    herb : Coriander (seeds) and Cilantro (leaves) are names for different parts of the same plant, Corlandrum sativum, a naturally healing food in both forms....
  • Cumin Cumin, Cuminum cyminum : cummin
    herbaceous annual : Cumin is aromatic, containing up to 4 percent essential oil, warm, spicy and slightly sweet. ...
  • Dill Dill, Anethum graveolens :
    Annual Herb : Mouthwatering dill is carminative, it eases gas pains, bloating and settles the stomach. Both the leaves (dill weed) and seeds are used as a seasoning....
  • Epazote Epazote , Chenopodium ambrosioides : Wormseed, Jesuit's Tea, Mexican Tea, Herba Sancti Mariæ
    Annual or short-lived perennial : The use of epazote can be traced back to the Aztecs. Epazote contains up to 70% ascaridole, which gives it a similar character to boldo, another pungent herb ...
  • Fennel Seed Fennel Seed, Foeniculum vulgare : Sweet Fennel, Fenkel
    : Fennel seed is a good herbal remedy for coughs, helps in weight loss, and even tempers the effects of hormonal changes in menopause...
  • Galangal Root Galangal Root, Alpinia officinarum : Galanga, lesser galangal, Blue ginger, Chinese ginger
    Tropical perennial : Galangal is a sub tropical Asian member of the Ginger family. Herbalists consider the galangal root antispasmodic and antibacterial, and recommend its use in cases of dyspepsia (upset stomach or indigestion) and l...
  • Gentian Gentian, Gentiana lutea : wild gentian ,yellow gentian
    Herbaceous Perennial : Gentian root is the bitter used to make the famous Swedish Bitters tonic. Bitter herbs increase gastric secretions and promote digestion....
  • Holy Basil Holy Basil, Ocimum sanctum : Tulsi, Tulasi, Indian Basil
    Herb : Holy Basil has been used for thousands of years in the traditional medicinal of India, Ayurveda. Known to Hindus as Tulsi ...
  • Hyssop Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis :
    Woody perennial : An aromatic and medicinal herb, Hyssop is a good expectorant and antiviral commonly used to treat respiratory conditions such as influenza, sinus infections, colds and bronchitis ...
  • Jambul Jambul, Eugenia Jambolana :
    evergreen tropical tree : Practitioners of Ayurveda in India value jambul for lowering blood sugar and researchers are investigating its potential as a male contraceptive....
  • Lemon Verbena Lemon Verbena, Aloysia citriodora : vervain
    Tender perennial woody shrub : Lemon verbena is used primarily as a culinary herb, but it also makes a delightful medicinal herb tea...
  • Long Pepper, Pippali Long Pepper, Pippali, Piper longum : Bengal Pepper, Indonesian Long Pepper, Java Pepper
    Flowering plant : Pippali is valued in Ayurvedic medicine and foods for enhancing digestion and metabolism....
  • Lovage Lovage, Levisticum officinale :
    Herb perennial : Lovage is an old English garden herb whose use dates from the fourteenth century. ...
  • Marjoram,Sweet Marjoram,Sweet, Origanum majorana :
    perennial herb : Sweet marjoram is a fragrant culinary herb and the sweet, herbaceous essential oil is used in aromatherapy for emotional uplift and soothing nerves...
  • Myrtle Myrtle, Myrtus communis :
    Evergreen shrub : In traditional herbal medicine myrtle has been taken internally for urinary infections, digestive problems, bronchial congestion, and dry coughs....
  • Oregano Oregano, Origanum vulgare : Wild Marjoram
    herb : Oregano has a very ancient reputation and has been used in both the kitchen and the sickroom since the time of the ancients. Many would be surprised to learn that oregano is ranked first among the culinary herbs in antioxidant power. Many of the ...
  • Parsley Parsley, Petroselinum crispum :
    : Parsley leaves and root are high in iron content and rich in vitamins A, B, C and trace minerals. Parsley adds color and aids digestion of the foods we eat and acts to prevent gas and bloating...
  • Peppermint Peppermint, Mentha piperita : Yerba Buena
    Perennial Herb : Peppermint has an antispasmodic effect that soothes stomachaches and relieves gas. Peppermint oil is cooling and analgesic, relieving heat and inflammation while it increases blood flow to the painful area....
  • Periwinkle Periwinkle, Vinca minor : lesser periwinkle, myrtle
    Shrub : The leaves, and seeds of the periwinkle contain vincamine, a precursor to the chemical vinpocetine, which is used as a medicinally to enhance memory naturally while the mind ages....
  • Rosemary Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis :
    Woody perennial herb : Amazing, versatile rosemary is valued by cooks, herbalists, aromatherapists, and gardeners alike. Rosemary oil combats mental fatigue, increasing concentration and memory...
  • Saffron Saffron , Crocus sativus :
    crocus : Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus. Traditional uses of saffron extend far beyond the kitchen. ...
  • Savory, Winter, Summer Savory, Winter, Summer, Satureja montana :
    Perennial Herb : Savory is a carminative herb recommend for gas and digestive upsets, including colic, diarrhea and indigestion....
  • Sesame Sesame , Sesamum indicum :
    : Sesame seeds, and sesame seed oil are used for food, and skin care and have a rich tradition of medicinal use....
  • Spearmint Spearmint, Mentha spicata : Spear mint
    : Spearmint has much the same properties as peppermint, but is milder and good for use with children's complaints. Spearmint tea will relieve hiccough, flatulence as well as indigestion. ...
  • Spikenard Spikenard, Aralia racemosa : Indian Root, Spignet, Fleabane
    rhizomatous herbaceous perennial : Spikenard root has a mild, pleasant licorice like flavor, often used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, though unrelated botanically, Spikenard is a relative of ginseng....
  • Tarragon Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus :
    Perennial Herb : Tarragon is a culinary star in French cuisine and best used fresh....
  • Vanilla Vanilla, Vanilla planifolia :
    Vine : Cooking with whole vanilla beans is easy and fun, and many chefs believe it is the only way to experience true vanilla flavor. ...
  • Wild Ginger Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense : Canadian snakeroot
    Herbaceous perennial : Wild ginger is a native American plant whose medicinal qualities were known to many Indian tribes....