Hi Gene,

In TCM, aromatic compounds are thought to dispel damp, and this is the foundation for the claim. Certain aromatics do have a surface-level dehydrating effect in that they displace water vapor. However, from both a Western AND a TCM perspective, flatulence is an internal problem and no amount of surface water displacement will affect it one way or another. In TCM, flatulence more often has to do with a disharmony between Stomach and Spleen ascending and descending energy than anything else anyway. You'll get better results pressing or needling S-40, S-36, B-20, LI-25, CV-6 and/or CV-12. For that matter, you'll still get better results practicing an earth qigong.