Summary
Passing gas (flatulence) is a normal process of
eliminating excess stomach or intestinal gas. It has always
been with us, it is even reported that Hippocrates wrote
“Passing gas is necessary to well-being”. In an average
person this may occur 6 to 20 times a day. The reason
is that as the body breaks down food during the process of
digestion flatus (gas) is produced. Various foods
release different gases hence the sometimes-undesirable
odors. Foods known to produce more gas in some folks
include:
•
Beans
•
Dairy products
•
Lentils
• Some
fruits
Some digestive disorders may cause an increase in gas:
•
Celiac disease
• Food
allergies
• GERD
• IBS
(irritable bowel syndrome)
•
Lactose intolerance
•
Peptic ulcer
[search helps: fart]
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends: DigestZen, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, peppermint
Essential oils based
products:
Also consider:
basil
Suggested protocols:
1 - 3 drops of ginger or lavender in a capsule taken 15
to 30 minutes before meals, especially those meals with
foods that cause gas in this individual.
Also apply oils to reflexology points on feet or some
find relief topically applying the oils to the abdomen.
Each person and each food is different so some
experimentation with different oils may produce better
results.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Lynn - What do you
use basil for?
Amelia - I use basil for a couple of
different things...it works great for me with gas and
bloating. I just put 2-3 drops in a capsule and take it with
foods that tend to make me gassy. This works well for me and
my husband too.
What Science & Research are saying
Enteric-coated peppermint-oil
capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a
prospective, randomized trial.
J Gastroenterol. 1997 Dec;32(6):765-8; Liu
JH, Chen GH, Yeh HZ, Huang CK, Poon SK.;
Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General
Hospital, Taiwan.
Abstract
To determine the efficacy and tolerability of an
enteric-coated peppermint-oil formulation (Colpermin), we
conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled clinical study in 110 outpatients (66
men/44 women; 18-70 years of age) with symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome. Patients took one capsule (Colpermin or
placebo) three to four times daily, 15-30 min before meals,
for 1 month. Fifty-two patients on Colpermin and 49 on
placebo completed the study. Forty-one patients on Colpermin
(79%) experienced an alleviation of the severity of
abdominal pain (29 were pain-free); 43 (83%) had less
abdominal distension, 43 (83%) had reduced stool frequency,
38 (73%) had fewer borborygmi, and 41 (79%) less flatulence.
Corresponding figures for the placebo group were: 21
patients (43%) with reduced pain (4 were pain-free), 14
(29%) with reduced distension, 16 (32%) with reduced stool
frequency, 15 (31%) with fewer borborygmi, and 11 (22%) with
less flatulence. Symptom improvements after Colpermin were
significantly better than after placebo (P < 0.05;
Mann-Whitney U-test). One patient on Colpermin experienced
heartburn (because of chewing the capsules) and one
developed a mild transient skin rash. There were no
significant changes in liver function test results. Thus, in
this trial, Colpermin was effective and well tolerated.
Editorial summary: 52 patients took a
peppermint capsule before meals for a month and 79% experienced
less flatulence. 49 patients took a placebo and 22% had
less flatulence.
Ready, Set, Grow
