Sunday, November 14, 2010

#318 demulcent

demulcent- soothing; mollifying; a drug or agent that soothes the irritation of inflamed or injured skin surfaces

C18 from Latin demulcere to caress

Some of the medicinal properties are emollient, demulcent, laxative, source of linoleic acid; cold-pressed oil is used in salves for muscle pains; leaves in tea are astringent and antiseptic; may lower blood sugar in diabetes and dilate coronary arteries to improve blood circulation. (How's that for a sentence?)

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