Evidence supporting the use of: Mucilage
For the health condition: Colitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Mucilage has traditionally been used to support gastrointestinal health, including conditions like colitis. Mucilage is a gelatinous substance found in various plants such as slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), and psyllium (Plantago ovata). Its traditional use is based on its demulcent properties—meaning it forms a soothing, protective film over mucous membranes, which may help reduce irritation and inflammation in the gut.

Historical herbal texts and ethnomedical reports describe the use of mucilage-rich plants to alleviate symptoms of colitis, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and inflammation. For example, slippery elm gruel was commonly recommended in 19th and early 20th-century Western herbal medicine for bowel complaints, including colitis and irritable bowel. Marshmallow root and psyllium have similar uses in European and Ayurvedic traditions.

However, scientific validation for mucilage use in colitis is limited. While some small studies and animal models have shown that mucilaginous herbs may reduce inflammation or improve symptoms, the evidence is neither robust nor consistent. Most clinical recommendations are extrapolated from their use in broader gastrointestinal disorders rather than from high-quality trials specifically in colitis. Thus, while mucilage’s use for colitis is well-rooted in tradition, it is only modestly supported by preliminary scientific evidence.

More about Mucilage
More about Colitis

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Acemannan
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alchornea
Algae
algal oil
Aloe vera
Amor seco
anamu
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
apigenin
apple
apple cider vinegar
astaxanthin
Asteraceae
astragalin
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bael
barberry
Basidiomycota
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bromelain
buckthorn
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cabbage
cactus
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
colocynth
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
diterpenes
Euphorbia
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
Frangula
fucoidan
gallic acid
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycomacropeptides
Glycyrrhetinic acid
green tea
Guava
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Humic acid
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kefir
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
licorice root
Mucilage
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nimbidin
Oligosaccharides
Osthole
Oxymatrine
Patrinia
Pediococcus acidilactici
Peptides
phlorotannins
picrorhiza kurroa
Plantago
plantain
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
quercetin
resveratrol
Rhus coriaria
rosmarinic acid
Saccharomyces boulardii
Scabrous Gentian
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Swertia
Tayuya
Trametes
tributyrin
Triphala
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xanthium (cockleburs)
Zinc

Products containing Mucilage

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.