![]() The German Commission E has approved the root for oral and pharyngeal mucosa irritation, dry cough, and mild irritation of the gastric mucosa, and the leaf for dry cough and oral/pharyngeal mucosal irritation (American Botanical Council, 2016a American Botanical Council, 2016b). This slippery ally was noted by Nicholas Culpeper, 17th-century English herbalist, to help with “all hot and sharp diseases” and for “opening the strait passages, and making them slippery” (Culpeper, 1653, para. All parts are useful, including root, leaf, and flower. Marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis ) fills out the description of demulcent to a tee. Yet another preference for preparing demulcent herbs is described below in the context of marshmallow root, our poster child of the demulcents! ![]() First, infuse in hot or warm water, then let it cool to room temperature, extending the length of the infusion. Most demulcents are best used as infusions, with some opinions on that to follow! Some observe that you can experience the most slippery, demulcent properties when you infuse these herbs over a long period of time. Demulcents are wonderfully soothing to throat tissues during a dry cough or sore throat. These herbs are also used to reduce the impact of airborne allergens and other irritants, such as smoke during wildfires or pollution in densely populated areas. ![]() Mullein ( Verbascum thapsus ) leaf and rootĭemulcent herbs are often subtle in flavor and action, but can be quiet helpers during winter months when the air tends to be dry. If you are coastal and have learned to identify and gather seaweeds safely, then you might have a bit of Irish moss ( Chondrus crispus ) stored away as a soup or brewing ingredient-yet another demulcent! In a pinch, you can also think of foods with demulcent qualities you may already have on hand, such as chia or flax seeds soaked overnight, stewed fruit, or a hot infusion of rolled oats. Both of these are more known for use as urinary demulcents because their demulcent constituents are thought to pass through the urinary tract as well. You might even get a little more creative about demulcents and use herbs that we kn ow are demulcent but are more often reserved for use in other systems, such as corn ( Zea mays ) silk or couch grass ( Elymus repens ) rhizome. Of course there are still more herbs in this group! Herbs such as marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis ) root, plantain ( Plantago spp.) leaf, flower, and seed husk, licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) root (though contraindicated with high blood pressure), mullein ( Verbascum thapsus ) leaf or root, violet ( Viola spp.) leaf and flower, linden ( Tilia spp.) bract and flower, hibiscus ( Hibiscus sabdariffa ) calyx, and oat ( Avena sativa ) seed/grain belong to the demulcent party. In these cases, mucus may be present though it is too thick, hardened, and inert to elicit a cough, or too thick and sticky to expel effectively by coughing.ĭemulcents are characterized by a slightly slippery texture and often provide a thickening quality when infused in hot or cold water. This is particularly supportive in a dry cough or when there is no cough present but a feeling of the desire to cough. Instead, they bolster our defenses by supporting a natural barrier: healthy mucosal tissue.ĭemulcents also help to thin and liquify mucus, which in turn can help support expectoration (the removal of excess mucus). While not often thought of as “potent” or “antimicrobial,” the gentle (and most often safe) demulcent herbs don’t have a direct effect on the immune cells. There is also a reflexive action that occurs when a demulcent substance is ingested-the demulcent action soothes the GI tract lining and then (by mechanisms still not quite understood, but possibly via the spinal reflex) affect other embryonically related tissues, such as the lungs and bladder (Yardley, 2004). When we ingest demulcents, their first direct action is on the mouth, throat, and other tissues of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. THREE HERBAL ACTIONS FOR RESPIRATORY SUPPORT Demulcentsĭemulcents support one of our natural physical and chemical immune defenses: the mucosa. After you know how to use these tried-and-true comforts, then taking care of yourself will require as little effort as possible if you do fall ill. Stick to good, common herbal sense, and find the potentially useful herbs you already have. It’s also a time to think about which safe, familiar herbs will provide comfort during a respiratory infection. During the current outbreak of viral infection, it’s bet ter to use what you already have on hand than to spend an extended amount of time out of the home or to bring new items into the home. When addressing viral respiratory infections, we want to think about herbs that have strong immune or antiviral actions in addition to herbs for lungs and basic respiratory support.
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