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Demulcents are soothing herbs used for medicinal purposes, containing mucilages that provide a cooling and hydrating coating to reduce inflammation. They can be used to treat wounds, digestive disorders, muscle spasms, and inflammation. Slippery elm, comfrey, and marshmallow are popular demulcents. Water-based preparations are preferred, and they should be avoided in cases of excessive mucus or unwanted fluid or pus.
The term “demulcent” refers to a group of soothing herbs used for medicinal purposes. The word comes from the Latin word demulcere which means “to caress”. These herbs are commonly used to speed healing and recovery time, and are especially helpful when used to treat open wounds. By stimulating the response of the immune system and improving hydration throughout the body, demulcents have powerful and recognizable effects.
Demulcents are herbs that contain distinctive mucilages that provide a cooling and hydrating coating that works to reduce inflammation. Demulcent herbs are typically recognized by their sticky, slippery innards. When herbs are used externally on the skin, they are called emollients. Some symptoms may require treatment with herbal emollients or emollients, because they primarily benefit areas of the body with soft tissue building, such as the lungs and skin. Demulcents are also useful for treating conditions affecting the kidneys and urinary tract and for treating cases of interstitial cystitis.
Additional benefits of emollient herbs include reducing general irritation in the intestines and sensitivity to gastric juices in the digestive system. This property helps prevent and relieve colic and diarrhea. These herbs can also be used to regulate painful muscle spasms in the uterus and bronchial tubes and to soothe any inflammation present in the sinuses, chest and throat.
Three of the most popular demulcents are slippery elm, comfrey, and marshmallow. Slippery elm bark is an emollient that has a very high nutrient content. It has been used as a food paste to promote convalescence from any digestive disorders. Comfrey is valued for its use as an emollient for the treatment of gastric ulcers, colitis, and hernias. Marshmallow has a mucilage content of 25 to 35 percent, which contributes to its effectiveness when used as an emollient to relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Water-based preparations such as teas and body sprays are generally the preferred methods used to employ emollient herbs due to their inherent moisture and slippery texture. Poultices and poultices can also be used, but generally create a bigger mess. Demulcents should be avoided when attempting to treat cases involving excessive mucus or when there is unwanted fluid or pus, because the hydration provided by demulcents will only make these conditions worse.
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