Irritation to the digestive tract lining can occur under many circumstances, leading to inflammation and symptoms of abdominal pain, heartburn, gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome and more. Traditionally, specific herbs have been used to soothe and coat the gastrointestinal lining under such circumstances, providing a mucoprotective action. These herbs are known as demulcents.
Demulcents are effective in treating diarrhea, constipation and inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. They act by preventing microbe binding to cell membranes, binding excessive water, improving microcirculation and acting as a direct physical barrier in the digestive tract. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), Althea officinalis (marshmallow root) and Ulmus rubra (slippery elm) are some of the most well-established demulcents with clinical efficacy.
DGL is a form of licorice root that has removed glycyrrhizin, a constituent that is responsible for increasing cortisol and fluid retention. This allows for a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal lining with minimal safety concerns. DGL has been studied for its ability to effectively treat the symptoms associated with damaged gastric and duodenal linings. Moreover, chewing DGL has also shown to have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa and some evidence suggests that DGL can help to prevent damage to the digestive tract lining caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Marshmallow root and slippery elm have anecdotally been used for decades as safe and effective demulcents to treat reflux esophagitis, gastritis, diarrhea, respiratory concerns and even inflammatory skin lesions.
GI-Soothe provides DGL, marshmallow root and slippery elm in high-potency extracts for effective demulcent and mucoprotective effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Available in 60 vegetable capsule bottles.
