Demulcents

Botanical Medicine 1Brandy Webb, ND

Week 8

Demulcent Herbs

• Althea officinalis• Symphytum officinalis• Glycyrrhiza glabra• Plantago major and

lanceolata

Althea officinalis

Althea officinalis

• Marshmallow• Malvaceae family• Constituents

– Root• Mucilage• Pectin• Tannins• Flavonoids

– Leaves• Mucilage• Flavonoids• Coumarin (scopoletin)• Polyphenolic acids

Althea officinalis

• Actions– Demulcent– Emollient– Diuretic– Anti-inflammatory– Expectorant

• Note: May delay or prevent absorption of other substances (food, drugs, herbs)

Symphytum officinalis

Symphytum officinalis

• Comfrey• Boraginaceae family• Constituents

– Allantoin– Pyrrolizidine alkaloids– Mucilage– Tannins– Steroidal saponins

Symphytum officinalis

• Actions– Vulnerary– Demulcent– Anti-inflammatory– Astringent– Expectorant

• Note: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in the root and fresh young leaves (but not the dried herb) have been found to be hepatotoxic and mutagenic. Long term internal use discouraged.

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Glycyrrhiza glabra

• Licorice• Fabaceae family• Constituents

– Triterpenes (glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid)

– Flavones, isoflavones– Polysaccharides

Glycyrrhiza glabra

• Actions– Expectorant– Demulcent– Anti-inflammatory– Hepatoprotective– Adaptogen

Plantago major & lanceolata

Plantago major & lanceolata

• Plantain • Plantaginaceae family• Constituents

– Iridoids– Flavonoids– Mucilage– Tannins– Oleanolic acid

Plantago major & lanceolata

• Actions– Vulnerary– Expectorant– Demulcent– Anti-inflammatory– Astringent– Diuretic– Antimicrobial

Case 1• A 30 year old female student comes to you with a sore

throat and cough. The cough started 3 weeks ago following a bout of a cold marked by runny nose and thick congestion. The cough started a week later and has continued. It is mostly in the morning but with mild tickling coughing fits throughout the day. Her throat feels a little raw. Her lungs/ribs feel a little sore from the coughing, but her breathing is okay. The runny nose is gone and she does not have a fever.

• What medicinal actions do you think would help her? What herbs would you consider? How would you suggest she take the herbs (what preparations – tinctures, teas, etc.)? Consider a possible dose.

Case 2• A 15 year old girl comes to see you with a chief

complaint of eczema. She has had the eczema off and on for most of her life, but recently it has gotten much worse. She has the eczema on her arms and legs primarily. It is dry, scaly, red and weepy. It itches and keeps her up most of the night.

• What herbs would you consider for this patient? How would you prescribe them – what preparations and dose? How long do you expect it to take for your treatment to begin working? What would your instructions to your patient include?