According to Websters Dictionary Carminativekahr-MIN-uh-tive is an adjective and means expelling gas from the stomach or intestines so as to relieve flatulence or abdominal pain or distension.
Why do I bring this to you on a beautiful Saturday morning? lol
Because I think it’s a great thing, to keep expanding our minds and our vocabulary. So, I clicked on the link to Websters I provided you above and signed up for their ‘daily word’….. And lo and behold! Not only does it tell me a fun way to talk about people farting, but it tells me about what some of us are currently eating, but really not knowing all of its’ properties. Fennel.
“Fennel is a carminative herb that helps alleviate gas after a spicy meal”. It goes on to give more information from an article in Facts For You, another good source of knowledge…… “Cumin seeds contain numerous phyto-chemicals that are known to have antioxidant, carminative and anti-flatulent properties, and are also an excellent source of dietary fibre.”
I was just talking to my friend about a course he’s going to take to fully understand our system of democracy. He thinks Obama is overstepping his bounds and wants information about what the constitution is really saying, what its’ intention is. Smart way to go, no?
It’s the same with words. It’s fun to know the background……
“In times gone by, human personalities were believed to be controlled by four humors: blood, phlegm, choler (yellow bile), and melancholy (black vile). Though this belief was long ago discredited, its influence lingers on in the English language. When “carminative” came into use in the 15th-century medical field, carminative agents were thought to be effective because they influenced the humors. The word comes from Latin “carrere,” meaning “to card,” referring to the act of cleansing or disentangling”.
So, if nothing else, you now know the properties about fennel.
Happy Eating (and here’s to a carminative day)!,
Chef Marian
mm@chefmarian.com