What is a demulcent?
A demulcent is a herb rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue. When they are used on the skin they are called emollients. Demulcents are used whenever a membrane is raw, hot, irritated, inflamed or over excited.
What are the benefits of demulcent herbs?
Demulcent herbs have the ability to act as a protective barrier on irritated or inflamed tissue. 2 They reduce irritation down the whole length of the bowel. They reduce the sensitivity of the digestive system to gastric acids. They help to ease the digestive muscle spasms which cause colic.
How do demulcents and mucilage rich herbs affect absorption?
Note: The use of demulcents or mucilage rich herbs internally may reduce rate of drug absorption by forming a semi-permeable coating over mucus membranes, delaying gastric emptying and by binding with intestinal contents. Caution should be taken with drugs with a narrow therapeutic window such as lithium, digoxin and insulin.
What is the difference between a demulcent and caress?
A demulcent, on the other hand, is derived from the Latin word for “caress”. A demulcent is an agent that forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. Demulcents are a classification of plants, sometimes referred to as mucoprotective agents or mucilage-producing agents.
What are demulcent herbs used for?
Demulcents can be used to protect the mucous membranes before or during administration of irritant substances; to allay irritation and inflammation already caused by chemical or bacterial action, or to act as bulking agents for other drugs and herbs.
What are some demulcent herbs?
Demulcent Herbs:Burdock (Arctium lappa)Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)Corn Silk (Zea mays)Coughgrass (Agropyrum repens)Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum)Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus)Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)More items...•
What foods are demulcent?
Herbal DemulcentsColtsfoot.Comfrey.Corn Silk.Couch Grass.Flaxseed.Horehound.Irish/Iceland Moss.Licorice.More items...
What's an oral demulcent?
n. a soothing agent that protects the mucous membranes and relieves irritation. Demulcents form a protective film and are used in mouth washes, gargles, etc., to soothe irritation or inflammation in the mouth.
What is a Depurative herb?
Depuratives are herbs that are considered to have purifying and detoxifying effects. Herbs that are considered depurative include lingonberry, ukshi, the four-leaf clover, Paris polyphylla, and some species of elderberry.
Is chamomile a demulcent?
Chamomile speeds the healing of mucous membranes in the stomach and colon, is ulcer-protectant and is a demulcent that soothes irritated internal tissues of the body.
Is aloe vera a demulcent?
Aloe gel and juice are considered demulcent, and have soothing properties for the skin.
What herbs are expectorants?
One small study found that a combination of herbs consisting of dry ivy leaf extract, thyme, aniseed, and marshmallow root improved symptoms of cough.
How long can you take marshmallow root?
You should only take marshmallow root for four weeks at a time. Be sure to take a one-week break before resuming use. When applied topically, marshmallow root has the potential to cause skin irritation.
Is honey a demulcent?
The World Health Organization has noted honey as a potential treatment of cough and cold symptoms, and it is considered as a demulcent that is inexpensive, popular, and safe (outside of the infant population). Honey has antioxidant properties and increases cytokine release, which may explain its antimicrobial effects.
What cough drops have pectin?
Luden's brand throat drops are demulcents (meaning a swelling or irritation reliever) and mild oral anesthetics. The active ingredient in fruit flavors is pectin, a soluble gelatinous polysaccharide found in ripe fruits. Pectin places a coating on the throat to reduce irritation and swelling.
What drink helps a sore throat?
Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.
What is an example of demulcent?
Demulcent: An agent that forms a soothing, protective film when administered onto a mucous membrane surface. For example, mucilage and oils are demulcents that can relieve irritation of the bowel lining.
What herbs are expectorants?
One small study found that a combination of herbs consisting of dry ivy leaf extract, thyme, aniseed, and marshmallow root improved symptoms of cough.
What are Vulnerary herbs?
Vulnerary: (Plural = vulneraries). A remedy used in healing or treating wounds. Any preparation, plant or drug used in the cure of wounds. For example, Native Americans used the herb echinacea as a vulnerary for burns, snakebites, arrow and other wounds. It was considered something of a panacea.
Is Slippery elm a demulcent?
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Slippery elm bark is a demulcent. This means that it is capable of soothing the lining of the stomach and intestines and reducing irritation. Demulcents are sometimes referred to as mucoprotective agents.
Ionidium Suffruticosum as Demulcent
Prepare a decoction with leaves and stalks of Ionidium Suffruticosum plant. Drink 30 ml of it twice a day.
Asparagus Racemosus as Demulcent
Extract the juice of fresh Asparagus Racemosus roots with equal amount of Honey. Consume one teaspoon of it.
What is demulcent used for?
Demulcents are used to lubricate and protect the alimentary mucous membrane, but the term is usually applied only to those agents that affect the buccal, pharyngeal, esophageal, and gastric mucosa. Demulcents can be used to protect the mucous membranes before or during administration of irritant substances; to allay irritation ...
What is the mechanism of action of demulcent?
Mechanism of action. A demulcent is a high molecular weight compound in aqueous solution that coats the skin surface, thus protecting the underlying cells and alleviating irritation . Urea promotes hydration and is antibacterial.
What is a linctuse?
Linctuses are demulcent preparations that can be used alone and as vehicles for other specific antitussive agents. Their exact constitution is not critical, and medical students in 1896 were taught the following:
What are the ingredients in a formulary?
Every formulary is replete with combinations of antitussives, expectorants, mucolytics, bronchodilators and sedatives. Although choice is not critical, knowledge of the active ingredients is important, as some contain sedative antimuscarinic antihistamines or phenylpropanolamines (which may antagonise antihypertensives). Use of glycerol or syrup as a demulcent cough preparation, or of simple linctus (citric acid), is probably defensible.
What is gum arabic used for?
Only small quantities of gum arabic are used in pharmaceuticals. These uses depend upon its emulsifying, suspending, demulcent, or coating characteristics. The gum maintains suspensions of insolubles when used in rather high concentrations. Owing to its mild ability to complex heavy metal ions, it brings about better suspension of these salts when needed, as for example, in the suspension of calamine lotion, and in certain instances in the emulsification of liquid petrolatum and of cod liver oil. Its demulcent property has given it some application in pharmaceutical syrups where it also masks unpleasant tastes.
What is mucilage in plants?
Mucilage refers to mucilaginous substances in plants that cause demulcency—usually, polysaccharide gels. These substances may protect mucosal surfaces by adhering to the mucosa, and may also act as a prebiotic, reducing epithelial inflammation by normalizing intestinal flora populations. Polysaccharides from Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), ...
Is linseed a laxative?
It is a demulcent, emollient, expectorant, and diuretic. The whole seed is prescribed as a laxative in the same manner as ispaghula (Plantago ovate Forsk ). Flaxseeds are used in food in various forms.
What is the best herb for a cough?
Elecampane is a lung-cleansing, mucus-thinning plant traditionally used by Native Americans for a host of respiratory diseases. This plant is known for its antimicrobial and restorative properties, making it an excellent herbal treatment for coughs, asthma, colds, and even tuberculosis.
What is a plant that has angular teethed leaves?
Coltsfoot. Another example of a mucus-thinning or respiratory function enhancing plant is Coltsfoot, a plant known for its angular-teethed, hoof-shaped leaves. This plant’s leaves are renowned for its healing properties for bronchitis, pertussis or whooping cough, and even asthma.
What is the best medicine for mucus?
One of the most common herbal mucus and phlegm relief supplements is peppermint or peppermint oil. We can attribute this herb’s mucus-thinning and respiratory tract-relaxing mechanism to its menthol, menthyl acetate, cineol, methanofuran, limonene, pinene, and several additional compounds. Menthol and these additional compounds act as a decongestant and also help fight off pathogens.
What is licorice used for?
For instance, Licorice is used in India’s Ayurveda as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, a demulcent and as a reliever for irritated mucous membranes. In the Greek and Arab culture, Licorice is prized as a cough and asthma reliever.
How to use peppermint oil for congestion?
Other ways to use peppermint for congestion are: place a drop of the oil under the tongue, place 3 drops of peppermint oil on a damp warm cloth and place it on your chest, or rub the oil directly to your chest when needed. A few drops of peppermint oil can also be gargled in salt water to help a dry throat and help thin mucus.
What is Osha root used for?
It is taken as soon as respiratory inflammation symptoms first surface.
What is the best oil for a cold?
Eucalyptus. Another well-loved cold or cough relief is the eucalyptus plant. Eucalyptus oil is a common addition to topical cold remedies, oral lozenges, and a common diffused oil for congested sinuses and thinning mucus. The Eucalyptus plant’s effect in helping clear out mucus-laden airways is backed by sound science.
What is a demulcent?
A demulcent is an agent that forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. Demulcents are a classification of plants, sometimes referred to as mucoprotective agents or mucilage-producing agents.
What is the best demulcent for sore throat?
The inner bark of the slippery elm ( Ulmus rubra ), a North American tree species, has long been used as a demulcent to soothe acidity in the stomach and relieve sore throats. Licorice is one of the most powerful demulcents, used for its soothing action in the throat, stomach and intestines.
What is mucilage used for?
Mucilage in plants plays a role in the storage of water and food, Seed germination, and thickening membranes. Cacti (and other succulents) and flax seeds especially are rich sources of mucilage. Mucilage is edible. It is used in medicine for its demulcent properties.
Which mucoadhesive film is best for oral mucositis?
Researchers concluded that both triamcinolone and licorice mucoadhesive films are effective in pain management of oral mucositis during radiotherapy, with an overall trend in the licorice group with the least oral pain. 7.
What is the mucilage in Nattokinase?
During the fermentation of Nattokinase soybeans, extracellular enzymes produced by the Bacterium Bacillus natto, react with soybean sugars to produce mucilage. The amount and viscosity of the mucilage are important characteristics of natto, contributing to natto’s unique taste and smell. Mucilage is also used in food.
Is licorice a demulcent?
Licorice is a strong demulcent that has been effectively used in treatment of peptic ulcers 6. The main purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic safety and efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide and licorice mucoadhesive films on oral mucositis in terms of pain control and/or ulcer treatment.
