Irritated & inflamed mucous membranes of the respiratory & digestive systems is something I've been seeing a lot more lately. It reminds me of a blend I created a long time ago called Soothing Marshmallow which was prescribed for these kinds of ailments. It has been missing in our repertoire of new naturopathic tea blends and so, I decided to bring it back.
Soothing Marshmallow Tisane is back and improved in both flavour & therapy, just in time to soothe lingering dry sore throats, coughs, and irritated & inflamed gut symptoms.
You know the saying "if it ain't broke, don’t fix it" but what if it could be made better. We added organic aniseed to the mix which blends well with organic: marshmallow root, licorice root, thyme leaf & lemon myrtle leaf.
- Aniseed, with the cutest botanical name - Pimpinella anisum, is prescribed by naturopaths and herbalists for inflammation & irritation of the respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis with a persistent cough and sore throat) and inflammation & irritation of the gut (enteritis, oesophagitis, stomatitis, gastritis, diverticulitis, ulcers, IBS, IBD, and leaky gut).
- Marshmallow root, botanical name Althaea officinalis, is much like aniseed, acting on all irritated mucous membranes. It is also known as an emollient. It has a softening action which can also be used as a mouthwash and gargle for irritations of the mouth & gums.
- Licorice root, botanical name Glycyrrhiza glabra, has demulcent activity to soothe & heal damaged mucous membranes. It acts like a silky balm to coat irritated & inflamed membranes of the upper & lower respiratory tract and digestive system particularly ulcers, gastritis, and leaky gut.
- Thyme leaf (botanical name Thymus vulgaris) & Lemon myrtle leaf (botanical name Backhousia citriodora) are both antimicrobial, but thyme, in particular, is indicated for a dry, irritated cough.
- The dose for Soothing Marshmallow Tisane - steep 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water for 3-5-7 minutes and drink 3-4 per day. The longer the steep the greater the flavour & therapy. Buy here A recipe for Soothing Marshmallow Homemade Gummies will be in our next newsletter. Perfect for sore throats & coughs.
Other remedies I prescribe…
- Organic Slippery elm powder increase mucous secretion, which is helpful for an irritated gut. A soothing prescription for heartburn, acid reflux, diarrhoea and gut infections.
- Organic Aloe vera juice or gel is indicated for gut inflammation and helps to soften the bowels when constipated. Choose additive free kinds. Add to a fresh green juice with cucumber and drink immediately.
- Bone stock broth or soup is easy to digest, nutritious and soothing to the gut lining. It contains glutamine, collagen and minerals specifically for gut healing and provides fuel for healthy beneficial bacteria.
- Glutamine, an amino acid is often found in gut repair powders prescribed by practitioners for gut inflammation.
- Mastic gum, a resin which comes from the mastic tree is used to treat stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease and heartburn. Often found with glutamine or taken on its own.
- Zinc carnosine, helps heal & restore the gut lining. It is anti-inflammatory and probably one of the most potent gut healers.
- Prebiotics, a form of dietary fibre feed healthy beneficial bacteria that soothe and heal the gut. Prebiotics include chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, garlic, onion, leek, asparagus, unripe banana, barley, oats and seaweed.
- Resistant starches such as cooked & cooled white potato and white rice. These are starches that resist digestion and end up in the colon where they are fermented by healthy beneficial bacteria, producing a variety of products which include short chain fatty acids (SCFA) which are anti inflammatory & healing. Resistant starches are prebiotics and help regulate blood glucose levels.
Please note that these remedies help alleviate and heal the mucous membranes, but they do not address the underlying causes or contributing factors such as an infection, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, and stress.
Avoid obvious culprits such as caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, gluten, vegetables oils, fried foods, sugar, acidic condiments & sauces, carbonated drinks, aspirin & ascorbic acid (find alternatives) and fruit juice.
The safety of herbal medicines & supplements
A qualified practitioner will ensure your medication, supplements or disease state does not interact with your herbs. When a naturopath & herbalist prescribes herbal medicines & supplements they consider one’s constitution: age, allergies, sensitiveness, robustness, size, temperature, current status of health and stress levels. They will also consider the best form & dose. Be mindful of taking herbs when pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are unsure best seek professional health advice. Make an appointment here