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There are few normal body functions that generate more jokes and embarrassment than gas. In fact, the F word that is the common term for this act is frequently banned from newspapers and airwaves.
Flatulence is a fact of life. We all pass gas, whether we admit it or not. When undigested sugars reach the large intestine, billions of bacteria are waiting to feast. Their output is gas.
Some people are so troubled that they become reclusive: “I am a 44-year-old female battling a daily, uncontrollable gas problem. This is so embarrassing I have quit going to social events or anywhere quiet, like church services. I've tried watching what I eat, but it seems that everything causes trouble. Maybe I should just stop eating!”
Certain foods are notorious for causing gas. Beans, bran, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, prunes and radishes are well known for this problem. Less recognized are apples, bagels, dried apricots or raisins. Many people cannot digest milk sugar and get into trouble with dairy products. Others have trouble with sugar substitutes like sorbitol.
Sometimes the cause is sudden and mysterious:
“I had a huge problem with gas after returning from a trip to Turkey where I caught some type of intestinal bug. After nine months of horrible gas, I finally tried your remedy of fennel, which ended the problem.
“Having gas like this can ruin a person's life. The stress and worry that accompany the problem actually changes who you are as a person. It affects friendships and sleep patterns, and gives you a feeling of loss of hope or even serious depression.
“I couldn't explain to people why I could not eat at a luncheon, or why I had to leave quickly after eating lunch with them, or why I could not attend meetings. This was too embarrassing for me.
“I could not talk about it with other people as I might have with another health problem. When I tried, all I heard from my doctor, my best friend and my daughter was that gas is ‘normal.’ I felt toward the end that no one understood how bad the gas was. Thank you so much for writing about fennel!”
Anyone who would like to know more about how to use fennel seeds and many other natural approaches to alleviate gas will be interested in our chapter on Gas in Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available in libraries and at bookstores or online (www.peoplespharmacy.com).
Besides fennel, other spices that have traditionally been used to combat gas include asafetida, ginger, turmeric and caraway. One reader reported: “I have had a chronic problem with flatulence and had given up hope that I would ever find anything to help. I’ve lived on a very simple diet for many years, making my own sourdough bread with white organic flour because my body can’t handle whole grains.
“In an experiment, I put some caraway seeds into my bread before I baked it. Lo and behold, the flatulence disappeared. It hasn’t troubled me for two years now, and my acne rosacea has also cleared up. What relief!”
Other strategies include sipping a dash of bitters in club soda or donning a pair of carbonized undies. Activated charcoal is used in gas masks and also works well to trap odors as they emerge.
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I fit the descriptions in the article. How can I find the best way to use 'fennel' & the other items mentioned in the article to combat flatulence? Thank you!
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
Our readers have suggested the following technique:
Take 1/2 tsp fennel seeds. Mash them with the back of a spoon to "bruise" them. Cover with 1 cup boiling water and steep 5 minutes. Then sip the resulting tea. This can be done between meals as needed.
Help! Odor isn't my problem; instead, it's the sound. Even the smallest leak makes such a noise! I'm about 30 lbs overweight, so could that be a source of my misery?
Gas is often related to some degree of constipation. Getting regular exercise is a big help - something as simple as taking a brisk walk. (Perhaps going solo might be a good idea until the problem is resolved.) My own gas problems disappeared after I stopped hormone replacement therapy. Eating enough roughage is another important preventative.
One of the things I read of to help was mint--most mint or mint tea never worked. Then, I tried Bigelow brand "Mint Medley" tea, drinking it _with_ meals, and it made all the difference in the world. I mentioned it to a mall-walker friend with Crohn's, and it worked so well with him, he would tell everyone who would listen about it.
Cheers!
One of my Hispanic friends told me about an herb called, Epazote, which is used in Hispanic dishes, to stop any gas from forming when eating broccoli, beans, etc. It looks very similar to a mint leaf and is very reasonable to purchase. I've been using this for a couple of years now, with tremendous success.
I need to take Precose (a RX for pre-diabetes) with each meal. You would not believe the amount of gas it produces. I do not use it if I have a commitment after a meal.
Ever since I started using 2 tsp.of FiberSure daily,I rumble and have more gas the ever. What has happened, I thought fiber was supposed to help not make things worse?
I use Digestive Advantage for Gas and/or fennel seed tea.
I had tremendous rumbling in my digestive track all day long, with gas. I now take 2 acidophilus pills with every meal and no more problems.
I am thirty-five and have recently had terrible stomach pains and bloating with anything and everything I eat. I am so miserable. My stomach is constantly rumbling and I don't even have to eat anything and it still does this. Can anyone give me some recommendations of medication or herbs I can take to eliminate some of the discomfort?
Thank You All
I have found that the fennel has helped me a lot. I either chew a little bit and swallow or make the tea. Taking a ginger capsule along with the fennel is good too.
I read your reader's comments about using caraway seed for gas problems and about it clearing up his acne rosacea. I started using it immediately, making a tea out of it and drinking about 1/2 glass a day when I get home from work. It works fantastically at relieving stomach gas. I also suffer from rosacea and have been to many dermatologists over the years, but nothing has helped. This tea made from the caraway seeds has also taken the "redness" off of my face - even my daughters noticed! I am so happy with this result that I am anxious to try other home remedies on your web site. Thank you so much!
I have severe gas cramps and severe bloat from IBS. I found nothing that helps so far.
Thank you! This site was so helpful, it is going in my favorites for future reference.
THANK YOU!! for this website. It has been SO helpful. I will try the "recipes."
Hello,
Regarding embarrassing gas, I hate to say I have had the same problem. My poor boyfriend has kept his discretion about it and hasn't complained, but I know it bothers him. Thankfully and out of desperation I started doing my research and tried everything until something finally came through.
I tried everything including activated charcoal, simethicone, chamomille, and mint until finally I came upon an interview with Suzanne Sommers and how she lived gas free for years through food combining. I also read somewhere else that coconut oil helped prevent gas as well. That night I went to sleep farting continuously as always and woke up farting too. The first thing I did was eat a spoonful of coconut oil from my pantry... organic and all; then for breakfast I had a plate of fruit and hot tea and nothing else because Suzanne says to eat fruit alone.
For lunch I had a steak and lots of steamed zucchini and green beans because Suzanne says that protein is to be eaten with vegetables. Dinner was the same routine and for snacks I had apples. That night I went to bed without gas and woke up the same. I followed the routine the next day with the same results. Most importantly, I didn't drink coffee which was the hard part. I don't know if my success was Suzanne's fault or coconut oil's but I am thanking my blessings.
I must mention that my gas was due in part to high hormone activity that happens from ovulation time to my period. When there's high hormone activity the bowels automatically slow down. So, if anyone is trying to reduce gas and has tried everything, I suggest that you research food combining and coconut oil and try it. I also suggest that if there is an imbalance of hormones you try to balance it with diet, vitamins and minerals... even if it is due to pregnancy. I hope this helps because I'm living proof that it does. Good luck to everyone.