Mucilage is a type of polysaccharide, which simply means multiple sugars bound together in a chain. We use mucilage in naturopathic treatment as a way to protect the digestive tract in instances of inflammation. Inflammation may be irritation caused from food intolerance or aggravation by toxic substances such as alcohol and drugs, to treat gastritis or stomach ulcers.
Mucilage acts as a protective barrier by adhering to the intestinal lining and providing a coating that allows for healing to take place and to soothe a disturbed digestive tract. Common herbs used for this purpose high in mucilage include Marshmallow, Ribwort, Bladderwrack & Calendula.
Due to the beta linkage of these sugars, we aren’t able to break them down in the digestive tract, so they make it all the way to the colon where fermentation takes place and allows for the production of short-chain fatty acids (more on these guys in another post) providing a wealth of nourishment.
Mucilage’s also function as bulk laxatives, you’d most likely have heard of Psyllium husk, Flaxseed, Chia & Slippery elm. Their water-absorbing capacity helps to bulk food and provide a slippery slope for stools to evacuate, creating pressure on the stretch receptors in the bowel to stimulate peristalsis (contractions that move the stool along). Mucilage isn’t only beneficial internally, if applied topically to irritated skin or infection it helps to draw impurities, promote healing, and at the same time soothes the area with its demulcent potential.
A really cool action of mucilage is reflex demulcency, this is via interaction with the vagus nerve exhibiting an effect on the tracheobronchial musculature, resulting in relief of an irritated, ticklish sensation we experience with a dry cough. Similar reflex action has been experienced in the urinary tract for painful urinary conditions. Other conditions mucilage can be used to treat include reflux, high cholesterol (ability to reduce LDL’s - bad fats), and blood glucose regulation.
