Changes to Your Diet

• Simple changes to your daily diet may decrease gas problems and remedy excess flatulence. Dr. Thomas A. Gossel, R.Ph., recommends avoiding flatulence-causing foods such as corn chips, bacon, bagels, bran, pastries, Graham crackers, gelatin desserts, pretzels, potato chips, popcorn and wheat germ, which can significantly increase gas and are not necessary for a healthy diet.
  
  Gossel also suggests eating smaller, yet more frequent meals daily in comparison to three large meals. Gossel says that by doing so, you are less likely to create as many bacteria in the stomach during digestion, which will in turn reduce gas production.
  
  

Spice Things up With Herbs

• James Duke, Ph.D., recommends adding herbs known as carminatives to your diet to remedy gas. Carminative herbs are thought to reduce gas by soothing the digestive system and can be a flavorful way to reduce gas production and discomfort. Try adding basil, anise seed, bergamot, dill, coriander, lemon balm, fennel, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage, thyme or peppermint to your food, tea or a glass of water to reduce gas.
  
  

Supplements

• Gossel suggests using supplements such as essential oils, activated charcoal and simethicone to remedy gas. Essential oils such as ginger, cinnamon or peppermint can be added to a glass of water to treat gas. Gossel asserts that essential oils relax the muscles of the esophagus and allow any trapped gas to escape, relieving pain and discomfort from the effects of gas.
  
  Alan R. Gaby, M.D., recommends using activated charcoal to remedy the effects of gas by using it as a detoxifier that can prevent gas from forming. Activated charcoal can be taken before or after meals, depending on what provides the best relief from gas symptoms. Activated charcoal should not be taken for longer than two weeks without medical supervision.
  
  Gossel says that products containing simethicone are safe and effective treatments for remedying gas. Simethicone is the primary ingredient found in over-the-counter anti-gas medications that remedy gas by drawing small gas bubbles from the folds of the stomach and large intestine into larger bubbles that can be passed through belching or flatulence, ridding the body of excess gases and providing relief from gas discomfort.