Demulcent
Encyclopedia
A demulcent is an agent that forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane
, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. Demulcents are sometimes referred to as mucoprotective
agents. Demulcents such as pectin
, glycerin, honey
, and syrup
are common ingredients in cough mixtures. These demulcents will coat the throat and relieve the irritation causing the cough. They can be used to treat any type of cough, but are particularly useful to treat dry coughs. Some demulcents may not be suitable for diabetics as they are based on sugar
.
A number of herbs have demulcent properties. These herbs often have a high content of mucilage
, and help soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissues of the body.
Common herbal demulcents include:
Mucous membrane
The mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. Demulcents are sometimes referred to as mucoprotective
Mucoprotective
Mucoprotective agents are pharmaceutical or herbal medicines that protect mucous membrane tissues. They include such things as demulcents.- External links :*...
agents. Demulcents such as pectin
Pectin
Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It was first isolated and described in 1825 by Henri Braconnot...
, glycerin, honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
, and syrup
Syrup
In cooking, a syrup is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but showing little tendency to deposit crystals...
are common ingredients in cough mixtures. These demulcents will coat the throat and relieve the irritation causing the cough. They can be used to treat any type of cough, but are particularly useful to treat dry coughs. Some demulcents may not be suitable for diabetics as they are based on sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
.
A number of herbs have demulcent properties. These herbs often have a high content of mucilage
Mucilage
Mucilage is a thick, gluey substance produced by most plants and some microorganisms. It is a polar glycoprotein and an exopolysaccharide.It occurs in various parts of nearly all classes of plant, usually in relatively small percentages, and is frequently associated with other substances, such as...
, and help soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissues of the body.
Common herbal demulcents include:
- Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
- Comfrey (Symphytum officinaleSymphytum officinaleSymphytum officinale is a perennial flowering plant of the genus Symphytum in the family Boraginaceae. Along with several other species of Symphytum, it is commonly known as comfrey. To differentiate it from other comfreys, this species may be known as common comfrey, Quaker comfrey, and cultivated...
) - Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
- Corn Silk (Zea mays)
- Couchgrass (Agropyrum repens)
- Dead Nettle (LamiumLamiumLamium is a genus of about 40-50 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, of which family it is the type genus...
) - Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)
- Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), a kind of algae
- Lungwort (Sticta pulmonaria)
- Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
- Mallow (Malva sylvestrisMalva sylvestrisMalva sylvestris is a species of the Mallow genus Malva in the family of Malvaceae and is considered to be the type species for the genus...
) - Marshmallow (Althaea officinalisAlthaea officinalisAlthaea officinalis is a species indigenous to Africa, which is used as a medicinal plant and ornamental plant...
) - Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
- Oatmeal (Avena sativa)
- Parsley Piert (Aphanes arvensisAphanesAphanes is a genus in the rose family, Rosaceae, native to Europe, Asia and Australia. A study from 2003 indicates that Aphanes may belong to the genus Alchemilla, commonly called Lady's-mantle. They are slender, annual prostrate herbs, much-branched with deeply lobed leaves, pilose and on short...
) - Plantain (Plantago major)
- Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubraUlmus rubraUlmus rubra, the Slippery Elm, is a species of elm native to eastern North America...
)
External links
- A more complete list of plants with demulcent properties is available from Plants for a Future (use database keyword search).