Demulcents

1
Demulcents

• Botanical Medicine 1
• Brandy Webb, ND
• Week 8

2
Demulcent Herbs

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

3
Althea officinalis
4
Althea officinalis

• Marshmallow
• Malvaceae family
• Constituents
• Root
• Mucilage
• Pectin
• Tannins
• Flavonoids

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

5
Althea officinalis

• Actions
• Demulcent
• Emollient
• Diuretic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Expectorant
• Note May delay or prevent absorption of other
  substances (food, drugs, herbs)

6
Symphytum officinalis
7
Symphytum officinalis

• Comfrey
• Boraginaceae family
• Constituents
• Allantoin
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
• Mucilage
• Tannins
• Steroidal saponins

8
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.

9
Glycyrrhiza glabra
10
Glycyrrhiza glabra

• Licorice
• Fabaceae family
• Constituents
• Triterpenes (glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid)
• Flavones, isoflavones
• Polysaccharides

11
Glycyrrhiza glabra

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

12
Plantago major lanceolata
13
Plantago major lanceolata

• Plantain
• Plantaginaceae family
• Constituents
• Iridoids
• Flavonoids
• Mucilage
• Tannins
• Oleanolic acid

14
Plantago major lanceolata

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

15
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.

16
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?