Constituent Actions Flashcards
What is a Mucilage?
A group of polysaccharides that form a gel-like consistency when combined with water.
what are the actions of mucilage?
- demulcent.
- emollient.
- anti-inflammatory.
- vulnerary
- bulking laxative.
- soothing expectorant.
- anti-spasmodic.
what are some examples of mucilage?
- Althea off (Marshmellow).
- Ulmus Fulvus (Slippery Elm).
- Plantago Lanceolata (plantain).
- Aloe Vera (aloe gel).
- Chia/flax/Psyllium.
what are emollients?
- one of the mucilage’s functions.
- soften, soothe and protect the skin (topical use only).
- form a protective barrier for the skin that will soothe and moisten any inflammation, irritation or burn.
- applied as a gel, salve, oil, cream, lotion or poultice.
what are some examples of emollients?
- aloe barbadensis.
- Plantago major.
- Stellaria media (Chickweed).
- Symphytum off (Comfrey).
What are Demulcents?
- mucilage action.
- soothe and protect irritates or inflamed internal tissue.
- cooling, soothing and relaxing to raw, hot, irritated or inflamed membranes of the digestive, respiratory and genitourinary tracts.
- some have a soothing effect distal to the site of contact due to reflex response initiated in the gut.
what are some demulcents used for soothing GI tract?
- Althea off (Marshmellow).
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice).
- Ulmus Fulva (slippery elm).
what are some herbs for soothing the respiratory tract?
- Verbascum thapsus (Mullein).
- Tussilago sp (Coltsfoot)
what are some herbs for soothing the genitourinary tract?
- corn silk (Zea mays).
what is a vulnerary action?
- mucilage action.
- helps with healing wounds- speeds up the natural wound healing process to reach resolution faster.
- used both topically and internally.
- promotes the laying down of granulation tissue to form a scab or eschar sooner.
- Allantoin also is another constituent that has this action found in plantain and comfrey.
what are some herbal examples of vulnerary action?
- Calendula off.
- Symphytum off (comfrey).
- Plantago lanceolata/ major (plantain).
what are bulking laxatives?
- herbs that contain mucilage can pull water into the colon to soften and add bulk to the stool.
- Bulking the stool enhances the body’s reflex signalling pathway to evacuate the stool.
what are some bulking laxative examples?
- Aloe barbandensis.
- Plantago psyllium.
- Linum usitatissimum. flax seed.
- Althea off. marshmellow root.
what are soothing expectorants?
- mucilage action.
- removes excess mucous from the lungs and soothes irritated lung tissue.
- very helpful for dry, sticky mucous that is difficult to cough up.
- very helpful for unproductive and irritable coughs.
- relax bronchial tissues and loosen mucus to be expelled.
what are some herbal examples of soothing expectorants?
- plantago lanceolata.
- Tussilago farfara. coltsfoot.
- Verbascum thapsus. mullein.
what is the constituent Tannins?
- they have a toning and tightening effect due to the ability to precipitate proteins and reduce secretions. usually found in parts of the plant that are shed. leaves, fruits and bark.