Herbs for Musicians

This week’s word is: demulcent. The “c” is soft.

Herbs with demulcent properties are moistening and mollify (soften) inflamed and irritated tissues.

You are probably familiar with the gel of an aloe vera plant. Perhaps you have used it on a sunburn and have personally experienced the soothing qualities. Not only does it help a little with pain, but the gel adds moisture to the dry, sunburned skin and soothes and softens it as well.

This is what demulcent herbs do.

You may also be familiar with okra. When you cut okra, it oozes a goo. This is a mucilage. The word is related to “mucous.” It is slippery. That slipperiness is what gives a plant its demulcent properties.

Interestingly, okra is related to the plant pictured above, marshmallow.

Demulcent plants work in three ways.

First, like aloe vera gel, the goo from a plant, or the mashed-up leaves, (or a tea as described below) can be used externally on a rash, burn, or other irritation.

Second, if they are soaked in water (often cool or cold water), the mucilage in the plant is drawn out. This can be drunk as a tea, and it works very well for sore throats as the mucilage coats and soothes the throat as the liquid goes down. This can also soothe an irritated esophagus, if you have GERD.

Third, demulcent herbs stimulate the gut to send signals through the nervous system to stimulate the body to release mucous to soothe inflamed areas of the body. This way, the herb can act on parts of the body that would not be directly touched by the mucilage in a tea, such as the sinuses, intestines or bladder.

As I have said before, pain is an indication that something is wrong. It is important to find out the cause of the pain, if possible.

Herbs can help with normal sore throats, or occasional heartburn, or a passing discomfort in the bladder.

However, if the pain persists more than a day or so, get to a doctor to see if something more serious is going on. Situations like strep throat or a bladder infection are very serious, and ongoing heartburn/acid reflux can be a sign of something much worse.

If you are a singer, you are probably familiar with Throat Coat tea. Throat Coat tea contains slippery elm, which is another wonderful demulcent herb. However, slippery elm is a threatened species, due to both over-harvesting, and Dutch elm disease.

Marshmallow is an effective substitute for slippery elm. Other demulcent herbs include borage, calendula, Japanese knotweed, jewelweed, plantain, prickly pear, and more.

Before using any herbs, it is important to know all of their properties so you can choose herbs that best fit your needs.

This week, I made a video on how to make a marshmallow tincture. The ratio in the liquid is 25% alcohol, 75& water. Most dry herbs use a ratio with more alcohol. But, due to the mucilaginous qualities of marshmallow, it requires more water to properly draw out those properties from the plant. You can watch the video here:

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Remember to do research and speak to a doctor about your particular situation before using herbs. The herbal education I provide does not substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

Herbs will not make up for a poor lifestyle. We must first take care of ourselves through a healthy lifestyle with a proper amount of sleep, nutritious food, regular exercise and avoiding harmful substances as much as possible.

Reach out to me if you have any herbal questions! And if you know someone who might benefit from this newsletter, please forward it!

Your Herbal Ally,

Heather

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