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
AcaciaAgonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Alchemilla
Alkanna
Allicin
Allspice
Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
Areca
Ascophyllum nodosum
asiaticoside
aucubin
avens
Baccharis dracunculifolia
bai ji
balsam
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
benzoin
berry
betel
betony
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bistort
blackberry
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boswellia
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
Calendula
Calycophyllum
canaigre
capsicum
cardamom
carvacrol
Casearia sylvestris
catechins
catechu
cayenne pepper
cinquefoil
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coca
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
Collinsonia
comfrey
commiphora
cranesbill
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cutch
Cyanthillium cinereum
dragon\'s blood
Drynaria
Echinacea
emblicanin
eugenol
European five-finger grass
fiber
flavanones
flavans
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fleabane
fluoride
fluorine
frankincense
fructoborate
Gambir
garlic
Glechoma hederacea
goldenseal
goldenseal
goldthread
gooseberry
Guava
heal-all
Heliopsis
henna
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperidin
honey
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
Jaboticaba
Kigelia africana
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lady's Mantle
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
leucoanthocyanidins
licorice root
lime
lingonberry
lodhtree
lysozyme
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
mango
manzanita
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Massularia acuminata
Mastic gum
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Menthol oil
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Mucilage
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Nasturtium
Neem tree
New Jersey Tea
Nimbidin
Oak
Oleuropein
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
Orris
Pacific madrone
pagoda tree
Pedra hume
Pellitory
Persimmon
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
pine bark
Plantago
plantain
polyphenols
Potentilla
prickly ash
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
Propolis
Pterocarpus marsupium
Pterospermum
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
raspberry
Rhus coraria
Rhus coriaria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rose hips
Rubus
sage
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Self-Heal
shepherd's purse
Silverweed
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smoketree
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptococcus oralis
Streptococcus salivarius
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terminalia
Thymol
Toothache Plant
Tridax
Triphala
turmeric
Ulmus
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin K
Water Pepper
White oak
White Tea
white willow
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zinc