Soothing Irritations of the Body

By Dr Kasturi Desai
Posted on 2009-01-18
Sore throat is a common ailment. If one has a sore throat one experiences constant irritation in the throat at this time. To relieve this irritation, demulcents are used. A demulcent is a soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes. It also protects the mucous membrane from further irritation. It has a direct action on the lining of the intestines, soothing and reducing irritation by direct contact.
Demulcents used on the skin are known as emollients. They are used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin. The leaves of the Abrus precatorius, a common climber found in forests also known as gunj, having red and black seeds is good in relieving sore throat and dry cough. A paste of the leaves also has other properties it helps remove freckles. The root of the plant also has a similar effect and an extract of the root is administered to relieve obstinate cough and sore throat.
Wheat bran is excellent as both an emollient and demulcent. An infusion or decoction of the bran is an excellent bath for skin diseases. Wheat meal is nutritive and restorative and also acts as a demulcent. Wheat flour is an effacious dusting powder for burns, scalds, itching and skin eruption. A paste made by boiling wheat flour with vinegar is useful in removing freckles.
A paste of the seeds of the Methi (Trigonella foenum graceum), a common ingredient in Indian kitchens is good to effective in keeping the skin soft and clean.
Arjun is a common tree found in the forest of the Western Ghats. It is botanically referred to as Terminalia arjuna. A decoction of the bark of the tree is used to clean sores and ulcers. An ointment made up of the bark with honey is efficacious in the cure of acne.
In the months of January and February the flowering of silk cotton tree makes a beautiful site, the tree is botanically known as Salmalia Malabarica or Bombax Malabarica. The tree is deciduous that is during the winter it sheds all its leaves. The bark of the tree is mucilaginous and an infusion is an effective demulcent used to treat uterine bleeding. The gum that exudes from the stem is successfully used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. The root of the tree also has similar properties.
Who is not aware of the emollient effect of the Santalum album our common Chandan? A paste of the root is an age-old remedy for skin diseases. An internal consumption of the watery emulsion mixed with sugar, honey and rice water is administered in gastric irritability.
The leaves of the Sesamum indicum or Til is highly mucilagenous and are used as a demulcent in respiratory affections. The seeds and the oil from it are a good emollient. Similarly the leaves of the Sida cordifolia, a weed called bala are mucilaginous and their infusion is given as demulcent to patients suffering from bleeding piles.
The berries of the long pepper or Piper longum with honey are a soothing treatment in cough or bronchitis.
Dates are dry fruits and are quite common in households. The fruit is an excellent demulcent and can be safely consumed to relieve sore throat, cough and laryngitis.
The seeds of the Tulsi are mucilaginous and have demulcent properties. They are administered to children during dentition, chronic dysentery.
A paste of leaves of Lotus (Nelumbium speciosum) with Sandalwood is effective in treating irritated skin conditions and irritated mucous membranes. The seeds are also demulcent and hence are recommended to treat diarrhoea and in the irritated condition of the intestine. The rootstock is locally used for ringworm and other skin diseases. The leaf juice of the 4 o’clock plant; Mirabilis jalapa (Shabduli) is used to clean wounds and bruises.
The dried flowers of the Naag Kesar or Mesua ferrea are given in dysentery, coughs, thirsts, irritability of the stomach and bleeding piles.