Debris Removers/Wound Cleansers - Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Debris Removers/Wound Cleansers

Colds and other conditions that cause sore throat or irritation and soreness in the mouth may produce an accumulation of mucus, phlegm, and other secretions that stick to and build up on the mucous membranes. These secretions can be irritating and are apt to cause coughing and considerable pain.

Holistic ebriding agents act in several ways. Some release tiny bubbles of oxygen that lift the offending matter off the tissue surface. Other mineral-containing compounds act to mechanically wash the debris away. Gargling with sodium bicarbonate (ordinary baking soda), for example, increases the alkalinity of mucus, loosening it so that it's easier to swallow, cough up, or blow out through the nose. Gargling with salt water also removes debris by drawing water out of the mucous membranes, which dilutes the mucus and cleanses the membrane surface. Although these debriding agents work quite effectively, the effect is brief and they do not cure the underlying condition.

Botanical Medicines.     Demulcents are lozenges, mouth rinses, and gargling solutions which protect the mucous membranes from chemicals, fluids, air, and other irritants. Some bind and hold irritating substances, thereby neutralizing them. Elm bark, derived from the dried inner bark of the slippery-elm tree produces a gluey substance with a curry-like aroma when boiled. Elm bark troches or lozenges protect inflamed and irritated mucous membranes in the throat and mouth. The FDA has recommended them as safe for occasional medicinal use.

Gelatin.     Ordinary gelatin provides a protective coating over irritated or ulcerated areas of the mouth and throat. It also inhibits the ability to feel cold, warmth, pressure, or pain, although it appears to have no curative or wound-healing properties. A special dosage form called an absorbable gelatin sponge is often used to medicate the upper throat and the insides of the cheek.

Glycerin.     Glycerin is a clear, colorless, syrupy liquid that is used to protect the skin as well as the mucous membranes. When applied to the mouth in a rinse, wash, spray, or on a swab, it forms a thin, protective layer that adheres to the mucous membranes. It also insulates sensory nerve endings from painful stimuli, but does not promote healing.

Pectin.     Pectin, the fruit extract used to make fruit jellies, has a long record of use in food and medicines. The FDA regards it as a safe treatment for protecting raw or ulcerated mouth and throat sores. It also protects the sensory receptors from further stimulation and the tissue from further irritation. It does not, however, enhance healing or cure the soreness in the tissue it's covering. It is normally available in rinses, gargles, sprays, lozenges, or gels.

The eyes, ears, nose and throat are often considered a single medical system because their functions overlap and, in the case of the ears, nose and throat, they share the same nerve supply. An infection or imbalance in any one of the areas may manifest in the others. Because they function as the first line of defense against external infectious organisms and toxins, their disorders are often immune system-related. And, because they degenerate over time, it may be necessary for some people to take vitamin, mineral, and botanical supplements to help maintain the integrity of the immune system and supply necessary nutrients to these tissues.