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A '''demulcent''' (derived from the word "caress") is an agent that forms a soothing film over a [[mucus membrane]], relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. Demulcents such as [[pectin]], [[glycerin]], [[honey]] and [[syrup]] are common ingredients in cough mixtures. These demulcents will coat the throat and relieve the irritation causing the cough. They can be used to treat any type of cough, but are particularly useful to treat [[dry cough]]s. Some demulcents may not be suitable for [[diabetics]] as they are based on [[sugar]].
A number of [[herbs]] have demulcent properties. These herbs often have a high content of [[mucilage]], and help soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissues of the body.<ref>
{{cite web
| url=http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=1478
| title=Demulcent
| author=David L. Hoffmann
| publisher=Health World
| accessdate=2006-08-28
}}</ref>
Common herbal demulcents include:
*[[Coltsfoot]] (''[[Tussilago farfara]]'')
*[[Comfrey]] (''[[Symphytum officinale]]'')
*[[Corn Silk]] (''[[Zea mays]]'')
*[[Couchgrass]] (''[[Agropyrum repens]]'')
*[[Flaxseed]] (''[[Linum usitatissimum]]'')
*[[Irish Moss]] (''[[Chondrus crispus]]'')
*[[Lungwort]] (''[[Sticta pulmonaria]]'')
*[[Liquorice]] (''[[Glycyrrhiza glabra]]'')
*[[Mallow]] (''[[Malva sylvestris]]'')
*[[Marshmallow]] (''[[Althaea officinalis]]'')
*[[Mullein]] (''[[Verbascum thapsus]]'')
*[[Oatmeal]] (''[[Avena sativa]]'')
*[[Parsley Piert]] (''[[Aphanes arvensis]]'')
*[[Plantain]] (''[[Plantago major]]'')<ref>
{{cite web
| url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Plantago+major
| title=Plantago Major
| accessdate=2006-08-28
}}</ref>
*[[Slippery Elm]] (''[[Ulmus fulva]]'')
A more complete list of plants with demulcent properties is available from [http://www.pfaf.org/database/search_use.php?K%5B%5D=Demulcent&START=100 Plants for a Future].
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Herbs]]
A number of [[herbs]] have demulcent properties. These herbs often have a high content of [[mucilage]], and help soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissues of the body.<ref>
{{cite web
| url=http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=1478
| title=Demulcent
| author=David L. Hoffmann
| publisher=Health World
| accessdate=2006-08-28
}}</ref>
Common herbal demulcents include:
*[[Coltsfoot]] (''[[Tussilago farfara]]'')
*[[Comfrey]] (''[[Symphytum officinale]]'')
*[[Corn Silk]] (''[[Zea mays]]'')
*[[Couchgrass]] (''[[Agropyrum repens]]'')
*[[Flaxseed]] (''[[Linum usitatissimum]]'')
*[[Irish Moss]] (''[[Chondrus crispus]]'')
*[[Lungwort]] (''[[Sticta pulmonaria]]'')
*[[Liquorice]] (''[[Glycyrrhiza glabra]]'')
*[[Mallow]] (''[[Malva sylvestris]]'')
*[[Marshmallow]] (''[[Althaea officinalis]]'')
*[[Mullein]] (''[[Verbascum thapsus]]'')
*[[Oatmeal]] (''[[Avena sativa]]'')
*[[Parsley Piert]] (''[[Aphanes arvensis]]'')
*[[Plantain]] (''[[Plantago major]]'')<ref>
{{cite web
| url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Plantago+major
| title=Plantago Major
| accessdate=2006-08-28
}}</ref>
*[[Slippery Elm]] (''[[Ulmus fulva]]'')
A more complete list of plants with demulcent properties is available from [http://www.pfaf.org/database/search_use.php?K%5B%5D=Demulcent&START=100 Plants for a Future].
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Herbs]]