Evidence supporting the use of: Mucilage
For the body system: Gums
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Mucilage, a gelatinous substance produced by many plants (such as slippery elm, marshmallow root, and aloe vera), has a long history of traditional use in supporting oral health, particularly for soothing the gums. In various traditional herbal medicine systems, mucilage-containing plants were chewed or used as poultices to relieve oral discomfort, reduce gum inflammation, and promote oral wound healing. The primary mechanism is thought to be the formation of a protective, soothing film over the mucous membranes, which helps reduce irritation and maintain moisture. There are limited modern scientific studies specifically examining mucilage's effects on gum health, but some in vitro and animal research suggests that mucilaginous compounds can exhibit anti-inflammatory and demulcent (soothing) properties. However, robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking, and most recommendations for mucilage use in supporting the gums are based on long-standing traditional practices rather than rigorous scientific validation. As such, while mucilage is still found in some natural oral care products and recommended by herbalists for gum comfort, its efficacy is best rated as supported by tradition with modest secondary scientific plausibility, rather than by strong clinical evidence.
Other ingredients that support Gums
cutchallspice
aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
bayberry
beeswax
myrobalan
betel
bilberry
bisabolol
blackberry
Indian frankincense
bovine gelatin
catechins
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
turmeric
curcumin
flavonols
gelatin
goldenseal
goldenseal
gooseberry
gum ghatti
hesperidin
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoperoxidase
lemon
licorice root
mango
marshmallow
mastic gum
mixed carotenoids
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
phenolic acids
pine bark
plantain
raspberry
rose hips
sage
slippery elm bark
triphala
vitamin C
vitamin K
white willow
xanthan gum
xylitol
zinc
yellow root
cardamom
capsicum
neem tree
pterocarpus marsupium
commiphora
yarrow
prickly ash
myrrh
zanthoxylum
polyphenols
menthol oil
shepherd's purse
white oak
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
cayenne pepper
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Asiaticoside
acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
Alchemilla
Aucubin
Ascophyllum nodosum
Areca
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Alkanna
Bee Propolis
Betony
Bai Ji
Balsam
Bistort
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Brazillian peppertree
Bloodroot
Benzoin
berry
Boswellia
Bletilla
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
Comfrey
Calendula
Carvacrol
Cinquefoil
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cajuput
Canaigre
Catechu
Coca
Cistus
Curcuma
Cranesbill
Cyanthillium cinereum
Collinsonia
Casearia sylvestris
Calycophyllum
Drynaria
Dragon's Blood
Echinacea
Emblicanin
European-Five Finger Grass
Eugenol
Fiber
Flavonoids
Fluoride
Fructoborate
Flavanones
Fluorine
Fleabane
Flavans
Frankincense
Flavonones
Goldthread
Guava
Gambir
Garlic
Glechoma hederacea
Mallow
Oak
