Definition of "demulcent"

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.

1747, R[obert] James, “Of Alteratives”, in Pharmacopœia Universalis: Or, A New English Dispensatory. [...], London: Printed for J. Hodges, at the Looking-Glass, over-against St. Magnus's Church, London Bridge; and J. Wood, under the piazza of the Royal Exchange, book II (Of the Operation of Medicines), pages 150–151

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, […]

1827 May 1, “XXVI. Spreading Ulcer of the Nose.”, in James Copland, John Darwall, John Conolly, editors, The London Medical Repository and Review, volume XXVII, number 161 (New Series, volume IV, number XXIII), London: Printed for Thomas and John Underwood, 32 Fleet Street, page 465

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

1990, Helen Simpson, “Four Bare Legs in a Bed”, in Four Bare Legs in a Bed: And Other Stories, London: William Heinemann; republished London: Vintage, 1998, page 1

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.

1997, Manuchair Ebadi, “Expectorants; Drugs that Increase Respiratory Tract Fluid”, in CRC Desk Reference of Clinical Pharmacology (CRC Desk References), Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, page 218

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

2016, W. D. Clarke, “[Love’s Alchemy.] Pure Bull***t”, in White Mythology: 2 Novellas: Skinner Boxed; Love’s Alchemy, [s.l.]: All That Is Solid Press

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.

1997, Gregory L. Tilford, “Prickly-pear Cactus”, in Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Missoula, Mt.: Mountain Press Publishing Company, published July 2009, page 118

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.

2000, Ellen Norten, “Medicinal Uses of Neem”, in Jean Pütz, with Kordula Werner and Deborah Straw, editors, Neem: India’s Miraculous Healing Plant, 1st English edition, Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, Inner Traditions International, page 46

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

2014, Trish Scorer, “First Aid Procedures”, in Victoria Aspinall, editor, Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing, 3rd edition, Edinburgh, London: Butterworth-Heinemann, Elsevier, table 9.5, page 185