demulcent

adj

1. (also, figuratively)Soothing or softening.

   “In continual hectic Heats, and if the ſweet Juices, by a continued ſlow Fever, acquire a ſaltiſh alcaline Acrimony, Cream and new Butter, on Account of their demulcent Qualities, are found to produce excellent Effects.”

   “Twenty leeches were ordered to be applied round the nose every two days; frequent emollient fomentations; the local vapour bath; general bathing; stimulating pedilavia; a strict regimen; vegetables, milk, white meats; demulcent or acidulated drinks; avoidance of exposure to the sun or to cold air; flannel waistcoat and trousers. This treatment, being strictly observed for two months, caused all the inflammatory symptoms to disappear, […]”

   “I channel vertically under the sheet to hide my blushing neck, muttering demulcent nothings.”

   “Expectorants may have a demulcent (soothing and irritation-allaying) effect on the cells of the respiratory tract and assist in repelling invasion through providing a medium for the upward propulsion of foreign particles by ciliary action.”

   “And like many of us, Dr. Ed filled those 5–10 'extra minutes' a day with some unchallenging, often demulcent reading material.”

noun

1. A soothing medication used to relieve pain in inflamed tissues.

   “Indians of the West Coast used preparations of prickly-pear to treat wounds, burns, contusions, warts, and even to facilitate childbirth. Modern herbalists recognize the plant's slippery-oily juice as a useful emollient and demulcent, which may be used externally to soothe dry, irritated skin or internally as a diuretic or anti-inflammatory agent for the digestive and urinary tracts.”

   “For constipation, a neem powder of two or three grams with three to four black peppers given three times a day is both a laxative and a demulcent.”

   “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) […] If showing symptoms, give absorptive preparations and/or demulcents.”