What Demulcent Herbs Are (And Why We Love Them!)

Demulcent herbs are gentle, soothing botanicals traditionally used to support comfort in the throat and digestive tract.

If your throat feels dry and scratchy or your digestion feels irritated, demulcent herbs may be exactly the supportive herb your body needs. These gentle plants have long been used to calm and protect tissues, helping the body restore balance and comfort naturally.

In this article, you’ll learn what makes an herb “demulcent,” how these soothing botanicals work, and why they’re some of our favorite ingredients for both gut and throat health.

What Does “Demulcent” Mean?

The term demulcent comes from the Latin demulcere, meaning “to soften” or “to soothe.” Demulcent herbs are rich in mucilage, a naturally occurring, gel-like compound that becomes slippery when mixed with water. You can think of mucilage like the gel that forms when you soak flax or chia seeds… It coats and protects tissues in much the same way inside the body.

When you drink tea or take an herbal remedy that contains a demulcent herb, the mucilage coats and protects delicate tissues, helping reduce occasional irritation and supporting the body's healing processes (1,2,3).

How Demulcent Herbs Work to Support the Body

Demulcent herbs support the body by creating a soothing, protective coating over the mucous membranes that line the throat, stomach, and intestines. This protective barrier can help the body maintain comfort in several ways (4):

May reduce minor irritation caused by dryness or occasional minor inflammatory processes
Eases minor discomfort in the throat and digestive tract
Supports the natural regeneration of irritated or damaged mucosal membranes

Our Favorite Demulcent Herbs (And How We Use Them in Our Dr. Green Life Organics Products)

Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

Marshmallow root is rich in mucilage that helps calm minor irritation in the throat and digestive system. It’s often used for sore throats, reflux, and overall mucosal hydration.

You’ll find marshmallow root in these Dr. Green Life Organics formulas:

Skin Clear™: to support healthy skin from the inside out by nourishing the gut and reducing minor inflammatory processes. ✝︎
Poo Motion™✝︎ Kids: to gently support digestion and healthy elimination in little ones.✝︎
TummEase™ Kids: for soothing digestive support when the stomach feels unsettled.✝︎
Mother’s Nature Tussin™: to calm throat irritation and support natural mucus balance.✝︎
Hem Your Rhoids™: for soothing internal tissue and promoting comfort during bowel movements.✝︎

**Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)**

The name says it all: Slippery Elm forms a smooth, gel-like texture when mixed with water, coating and protecting the throat and digestive tract. This soothing layer supports tissue repair, hydration, and comfort, making slippery elm a favorite for both gut healing and respiratory support.

You’ll find slippery elm in these Dr. Green Life Organics formulas:

TummEase™ Kids: to help calm and protect sensitive stomachs.✝︎
Mother’s Nature Tussin™ Syrup: to coat and soothe the throat and airways.✝︎
Nature’s Nutrients™ Kids: nutrient-rich support for growing bodies and healthy mucosal function.✝︎

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice root is a soothing, adaptogenic herb known for its ability to calm the digestive and respiratory tracts while also supporting the body’s natural inflammatory response and adrenal function. It also acts as a harmonizer in herbal formulas, enhancing the effects of other botanicals and improving overall balance.

You’ll find licorice root in these Dr. Green Life Organics formulas:

Poo Motion™✝︎ Kids: for gentle digestive support and healthy bowel movements.✝︎
Bronchial Calm™✝︎ Kids: to soothe the respiratory tract and promote clear, easy breathing.✝︎
Nature’s Biotic™✝︎ Kids: to support the immune system during acute illness.✝︎
Nature Tussin™ Syrup: to calm coughs and support clear lungs.✝︎
Throat Soother Spray™ (With Propolis): for fast-acting throat comfort and relief.✝︎
D-Congest™: to help break up mucus and support respiratory comfort.✝︎
Clear My Sinuses™✝︎: to promote clear airways and sinus drainage.✝︎
Nature Profen PM™: to ease nighttime tension and promote relaxation.✝︎
Adrenal & Focus™: to support energy, mood, and healthy adrenal function.✝︎

To learn more about how I use herbs in my formulations, check out these articles:

Summary

Demulcent herbs are gentle, soothing botanicals traditionally used to support comfort in the throat and digestive tract. Their naturally occurring mucilage forms a gel-like coating which can help maintain healthy mucous membranes and hydration.

Herbs like marshmallow root, slippery elm, and licorice root are among the most valued demulcents, and you’ll find them in many Dr. Green Life Organics formulas designed to support digestive and respiratory comfort as well as overall well-being.

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References:

Ziment I. Herbal antitussives. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2002;15(3):327-33. doi: 10.1006/pupt.2002.0343. PMID: 12099787.

Wahab S, Annadurai S, Abullais SS, Das G, Ahmad W, Ahmad MF, Kandasamy G, Vasudevan R, Ali MS, Amir M. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 14;10(12):2751. doi: 10.3390/plants10122751. PMID: 34961221; PMCID: PMC8703329.

Eccles R. What is the Role of Over 100 Excipients in Over the Counter (OTC) Cough Medicines? Lung. 2020 Oct;198(5):727-734. doi: 10.1007/s00408-020-00390-x. Epub 2020 Sep 5. PMID: 32889596; PMCID: PMC7502433.