Many polysaccharides are usually mixed with other lubricant bases to create very personalized lubes. Although polysaccharides can be used as single-ingredient-lubes, this is uncommon in the fisting community. This disuse is due to lack of knowledge about the highly viscous and lubricious nature of these polysaccharides.

The two most common polysaccharides are gums and cellulose.

Dozens of unique gums can be transformed into fisting lubes. The three most common include:

• Xanthan | Derived from microbial fermentation of sugar in specialized factories.
• Guar | Extracted industrially or manually from the seeds of Guar or Cluster beans, a popular legume in India.
• Carob | Extracted industrially or manually from the pod seeds of locust trees.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose can be purchased as powders or premixed lubes. Many lube manufacturers use one of these two cellulose agents as the base in their lubes.

Lube enthusiast can create organic polysaccharide lubes with common food items such as corn starch, potatoes, legumes, and other starchy vegetables.

Polysaccharide lubes may be referred to as water-based or emulsifier lubricants. Water-based is an umbrella term that includes glycerine-based lubes, polysaccharides, and PEO-based lubes. Emulsifier is an umbrella term that includes PEO lubes, some obstetrical lubes, polysaccharide lubes, and pectin-sourced lubes.

In commercial lubricants, polysaccharides are often coupled with propylene glycol and other ingredients to achieve a desired lubricity that requires less reapplication. While polysaccharides themselves are generally harmless, the additional ingredients may be toxic.

In foods and cosmetics, polysaccharides, such as cellulose and gums, are very safe and stable. When applying or consuming limited quantities of these polysaccharides, there are rarely any health complications. In fact, some polysaccharides are beneficial to the body. Gums are known to decrease blood sugar when part of a normal diet. Unfortunately, using gums in the fist chute usage does not offer the same health benefits. The physiological functions that decrease blood sugar are located in the upper GI tract only. When consumed in large quantities, cellulose works as a laxative.

Polysaccharides, like all other lube ingredients, have a slight potential to irritate the tissue of the fist chute. They can also trigger an immune response resulting in inflammation, discomfort, and intestinal distress, but have not been known to trigger an anaphylactic (or full body) reaction.

Gums are great lubes for all types of gear and toy play. They will not degrade material and at viscosity, lube does not puddle at the base of the toy.

Gums wash easily with soap and water. Cellulose acts similar to PEO based lubes and can be degraded with salts, alcohols (in certain shave creams), and acids (such as vinegar).

Any powders that are past the expiration date on the package or one year from opening a sealed package should be discarded in the trash.

Pour leftover lube in the waste bin to prevent gums from mixing with other substances in drain lines with resulting plumbing issues.

Most polysaccharides lubes, especially gums, should be discarded immediately after a session. There are no exceptions to this rule, except if freezing unused lube immediately after mixing. Polysaccharides are good food sources for microbes and are colonized quickly.

Gum and starch pricing is extremely reasonable to make a single bottle of lube or a large volume of lube for demonstrations. Gums can be purchased in the baking area of general grocery stores or in specialty craft and health food stores.

Pricing is reasonable for lubes with CMC such as J Jelly; however, shipping liquids may double the price paid for the lubricant. Purchase liquids at farm supply stores. CMC can be purchased in powder form in the baking area of general grocery stores as cellulose gum.

Specialty lubes such as Fist It and Fist Powder usually have high markups in specialty sex stores and online. Be cautious about using Amazon and definitely avoid Alibaba and eBay when purchasing online.

Gum lubes that wash off easily may require more frequent reapplication and may not be ideal for depth play or heavy punch play without some additives to decrease reapplication frequency.

Cellulose is often used as a laxative and, in high volumes, they may trigger excessive bowel movements.