Week 7: Carminatives

Question 1

Carminatives

Answer 1

Herbs with mild ANTI-SPASMODIC effects, largely due to the VOLATILE oils they contain (aromatics).

• increase cell memb permeability
• maybe loosen the gap junctions, Wieman disagrees and believes it is just inflammation

Question 2

Mentha piperita (Peppermint)

Family & Energetics

Answer 2

Family: Lamiaceae

Energetics: cooling and drying

Question 3

Mentha piperita (Peppermint)

Major Constituent

Answer 3

Menthol

Question 4

Mentha piperita (Peppermint)

Actions

Answer 4

Antispasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipruritic, cephalic (drives energy to the head - may induce HAs –> mb try spearmint instead)

Question 5

Mentha piperita (Peppermint)

Indications

Answer 5

colic, flatulence, IBS, indigestion, nausea

Question 6

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

Family, Energetics, and Specificity of Seat

Answer 6

Family: Apiaceae

Energetics: warming, aromatic, bitter, sweet

Specificity of Seat: Hollow tubes

Question 7

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

Constituents

Answer 7

50-70% trans-anethole (sweet, up to 20% (+)-fenchone (bitter), also methyl chavicol, anisaldehyde, alpha-pinene, alpha-phelandrene, limonene, fixed oil, protein, organic acids, flavonoids.

Question 8

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

Actions

Answer 8

Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, galactagogue, bitter

Question 9

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

Indications

Answer 9

Flatulence, colic, mild spasmodic GI pains, modulates spasms related to purgative use

Question 10

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

Used by the ancients…

Answer 10

“One of the most grateful aromatics”
employed as a carminative
Absence of highly exciting properties –> GENTLE
Enema in infants for expulsion of flatus

Question 11

Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)

Faily, Energetics and Specificity of Seat

Answer 11

Family: Asteraceae
Energetics: cooling
Specificity of Seat: GI tract and nervous system

Question 12

Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)

Constituents

Answer 12

Constituents: anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenes – alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene; flavonoids - apigenin

Question 13

Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)

Actions

Answer 13

Actions: nervine, anxiolytic, antidepressant, stomachic, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, antispasmodic, vulnerary, antiemeti

Question 14

Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)

Indications and CIs

Answer 14

Indication: nervousness, impatience, discontent, insomnia, particularly useful in children

Contraindications/Cautions: high doses can cause vomiting and diarrhea

Question 15

Zingiber officinale (Ginger)

Family, Energetics, Specificity of Seat

Answer 15

Family: Zingiberaceae
Part Used: Rhizome
Energetics: warming, draws energy to the center (GI), stimulating
Specificity of seat: circulatory, digestive, respiratory

Question 16

Zingiber officinale (Ginger)

Major Constituents

Answer 16

zingiberene, zingiberole, gingerol, shogoal, phellandrene, borneol, cineole, citral as well as resins, and mucilage

Question 17

Zingiber officinale (Ginger)

Actions

Answer 17

ANTIEMETIC (motion sickness, pregnancy, chemo), carminative, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, expectorant, antitussive, decreases platelet aggregation, increases digestive enzyme activity

Question 18

Zingiber officinale (Ginger)

Indications

Answer 18

Weak digestion, colic, gas, cramping, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness

Question 19

Angelica archangelica

Family and Energetics

Answer 19

Family: Apiaceae

Energetics: warming, stimulating

Question 20

Angelica archangelica

Constituents

Answer 20

Bitters, angelic acids, volatile oils (including furanocoumarins –> photosensitizing), resins, tannin

Question 21

Angelica archangelica

Actions

Answer 21

carminative, stomachic, antispasmodic, bitter

Question 22

Angelica archangelica

Indications

Answer 22

inflamed mucous membranes, particularly of the GI tract

Question 23

Other Carminatives

Answer 23

Pimpinella anisum - Anise
Elettaria cardamomum - Cardamom
Carum carvi - Caraway
Coriandrum sativum – Corriander
Cuminum cyminum – Cumin
Mentha spicata – Spearmint
Cinnamomum spp.  - Cinnamon