A demulcent herbs have the effect of acting as a protective barrier on irritated or inflamed tissue. When they are used on the skin demulcents are called emollients. The experience of demulcency cannot always be explained pharmacologically. They contain complex polysaccharide molecules of mucilage, having the property of becoming slimy and gummy when in contact with water. This has a direct action on the lining of the intestines, soothing and reducing irritation by direct contact. However, there are some remedies that have a similar action far from the sight of absorption into the body, meaning that they cannot have such a direct action on, say, the urinary system, because the mucilage will have been broken down into its constituent parts losing its unique soothing action.
Demulcents have these general properties:
- They reduce irritation down the whole length of the bowel.
- They reduce the sensitivity of the digestive system to gastric acids.
- Help to ease the digestive muscle spasms which cause colic.
Some demulcents also:
- Ease coughing by a soothing of bronchial tension.
- Relax painful spasm in the bladder and urinary system, and sometime seven in the uterus.
Herbal Demulcents
Coltsfoot
Comfrey
Corn Silk
Couch Grass
Flaxseed
Iceland moss
Irish Moss
Liquorice
Lungwort
Marshmallow
Mullein
Slippery Elm
Demulcents that are also Anti-Catarrhal : Coltsfoot, Lungwort, Mullein
Demulcents that are also Anti-Inflammatory : Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Liquorice, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein, Slippery Elm
Demulcents that are also Anti-Microbial : Couch Grass
Demulcents that are also Anti-Spasmodic : Coltsfoot, Liquorice, Lungwort, Mullein
Demulcents that are also Astringent : Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm
Demulcents that are also Carminative :
Demulcents that are also Cholagogue :
Demulcents that are also Diaphoretic : Mullein
Demulcents that are also Diuretic : Coltsfoot, Corn Silk, Couch Grass, Marshmallow, Mullein
Demulcents that are also Emmenagogue :
Demulcents that are also Expectorant : Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Irish Moss, Liquorice, Lungwort, Mullein
Demulcents that are also Hepatic :
Demulcents that are also Laxative : Flaxseed, Liquorice
Demulcents that are also Nervine :
Demulcents that are also Tonic : Coltsfoot, Corn Silk, Liquorice, Mullein
Demulcents that are also Vulnerary : Coltsfoot, Comfrey , Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein
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Whilst working in conservation and lecturing in ecology and the eco-crisis for the University of Wales, David Hoffman became convinced that to heal the world, to embrace planetary wholeness and responsibility for it 
