flatulence
Meteorism: what does it consist of?
Meteorism is an annoying and unpleasant disorder that is manifested by abdominal bloating: it is mainly caused by an excess of gas present, often accompanied by constipation or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, belching and flatulence.
Also in this case in herbal medicine you can buy some valid natural products to lighten the disorder, not forgetting that a correct diet and a healthy lifestyle are the basis for the prevention and resolution of all mild and medium disorders entity.
Causes of meteorism
The causes that favor meteorism are many and range in different areas: anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia, related to bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, can enhance meteorism to such an extent that it becomes a very embarrassing and annoying disorder. In fact, if the meal is consumed in a hurry, without paying attention to the right food combinations, you risk ingesting large quantities of air; if then you take many sweets, the sugars present undergo a fermentation in the intestine causing an annoying abdominal tension. The situation then worsens even more in the presence of food intolerances, such as lactose. Meteorism can also reflect more serious conditions, such as intestinal and liver disorders (in this case natural remedies would not be suitable); moreover, the swollen belly can be consequent to the assumption of other herbal products, such as laxatives based on heteropolysaccharides (fibers) - which swell at the gastro-intestinal level - and stimulating anthraquinone laxatives, which irritate the mucosa of the last section of the intestine.
Natural remedies
Natural remedies against meteorism
Among natural remedies against meteorism coal stands out above all, but even herbal teas with carminative plant extracts that act by reducing swelling in the abdominal area are not negligible; for example: fennel, anise, cumin, are the best known, but also lemon balm, myrtle and chamomile. They are all effective enough to counteract meteorism.
Coal against meteorism
Vegetable carbon plays a role of absolute importance as a natural herbal remedy, followed by carminative plants such as fennel and anise. There are four categories of coal:
- Vegetable carbon: it is obtained from the dry distillation of birch, willow or poplar wood, from which a powder is obtained. It has mild adsorbent properties, behaving like a sponge.
- Animal charcoal: derives from slaughter waste (bones, tendons, cartilages) subjected to a smoldering carbonization. It has greater adsorbent properties than vegetable charcoal: in fact, it is also considered "anti-toxic" in the medical field (following gastric lavage). The animal waste material is placed in stoves at a temperature between 100 and 200 ° C: the carbonization takes place without flame to avoid the production of carcinogenic aromatic substances.
- Compound officinal carbon: represents a mix of vegetable and animal charcoal.
- Medicated charcoal: it is a carbon enriched with antiseptic substances (for example phenols).
Coal in general has adsorbent properties that make it capable of retaining intestinal gases; moreover, it facilitates the bacterial elimination that causes fermentation. For those with only one form of meteorism caused by poor nutrition, the coal must be taken after meals. Usually, for those who follow a pharmacological treatment, coal should be avoided, because it could decrease the bioavailability of the drugs. Furthermore, coal must not be taken by people who have vitamin deficiencies and by people who have problems with absorption in general: coal, in fact, weakens the absorption of the main nutrients.
However, the consultation of the primary care physician is essential. It would be a good rule to take lactic ferments in conjunction with coal to help restore the intestinal flora, consequently to combat meteorism.
Fennel and Anise against meteorism
Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) and anise ( Pimpinella anisum ) are carminative drugs that reduce abdominal swelling thanks to molecules capable of limiting anaerobic fermentation (in the absence of oxygen) by intestinal flora.
Fennel, by stimulating bile activity, is also used against dyspepsia; besides it is a diuretic. The phytocomplex is characterized by fencone and anethole, belonging to the category of mono and sesquiterpenes.
Anise enhances the action of fennel, inhibits the fermentation process in the intestine, reduces flatulence and nausea.
Cumin against meteorism
Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ) has carminative and digestive properties: for this reason it is an excellent natural remedy for abdominal cramps and bloating related to bloating. We recommend a cumin-based herbal tea at the end of a meal to promote proper digestion; for these properties it is similar to fennel and anise.
Melissa and mint against meteorism
Even the lemon balm ( Melissa officinale ) and the mint (of the Mentha genus) have carminative properties, managing to reduce the formed intestinal gases. Lemon balm is also remembered for its antispasmodic and calming abilities: for this its potential is inserted in many formulations to induce sleep. Considering that meteorism, as we have analyzed, is also caused by stress and anxiety, lemon balm is certainly a very useful drug for relaxing tissues, consequently hindering abdominal swelling.
Myrtle against meteorism
Myrtle ( Myrtus communis ) is rich in mirtolo, an essential oil that boasts digestive, stomachic, anti-inflammatory and carminative properties. Furthermore, it also exerts antifermentative properties, hindering gastric fermentation which would cause the sensation of swelling.
Chamomile against meteorism
Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ) has carminative potential, being able to remove air from the stomach and from the intestine, decreases abdominal pain and cramps. It has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and antibacterial properties, useful activities to lighten disturbances derived from meteorism.
Precautions
Precautions on the use of natural remedies against meteorism
The use of coal and plants with a carminative action should be associated with a balanced diet: it would be useless and wrong to use vegetable charcoal and fennel-based teas if you follow a diet rich in foods that promote meteorism, such as beans, milk, chocolate, cabbage and eggplant (see foods and flatulence). Furthermore, it is preferable to take a lot of water, which surely succeeds in lightening the annoying swelling sensation caused by meteorism.
You may also be interested in: Swollen Belly Remedies »Diet Against Meteorism: What to Do? »Drugs for the treatment of meteorism» Fighting the weather: Where to start? »Meteorism: What it is and Possible Causes»
