Slippery Elm

Slippery Elm

Latin Name: Ulmus fulva
Family: Ulmaceae

Part used: Inner bark
Energetics: Sweet, bland, moist, cool
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

None Known.

ACTIONS

  • Soothing
  • Demulcent
  • Nutritive
  • Expectorant
  • Antitussive
  • Mildly laxative
  • Topically as an emollient
  • Antiseptic
  • Contains abundance of mucilage
  • Long-lasting antacid barrier
  • Diuretic
  • Anti-venomous
  • Vulnerary
  • Anti-microbial

Main Constituents

  • Mucilage up to 50%
  • Starch
  • Oleic
  • Palmitic acid
  • Tannin
  • Vitamins: C, Ca, Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn.

Main Uses

Digestive System: Gastrointestinal inflammation or ulceration, Peptic ulcers, Gastritis, Nutritive food for children and elderly, Diarrhoea, Crohn’s disease, IBS, Diverticulitis, Anal fissures, Haemorrhoids, Soothing to the mucous membranes, Gathers and Eliminates toxins via intestine
External Use: Antidote to poison
Integumentary System: Drawing ointment for spots, abscesses, splinters
Eyes: Eye infections
Endocrine System: Induces sleep if taken at night.
Respiratory System: Pharyngitis, Throat & chest infections, Soothing to the mucous membranes
Urinary System: Soothing to the mucous membranes, Reduces pain & inflammation in cystitis & urethritis

More About Slippery Elm

Mucilage in slippery elm is responsible for its demulcent, emollient, and antitussive properties. Insoluble polysaccharides in mucilage (hexose, pentose, methylpentose) form a viscous material following oral administration or when prepared for topical use.
The fibre content is thought to reduce gastrointestinal transit time, act as a bulk forming laxative, and absorb toxins.
Mucosal biopsies from patients with active ulcerative colitis incubated with slippery elm showed a dose-dependent reduction in oxygen free radicals.
The Fatty acid esters such as oleic and palmitic acid are thought to be responsible for antitumor activity, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. It is an ingredient of the famous ‘Essiac’ anti-cancer formula.
Slippery elm can be prepared with raw milk for lung or stomach dryness, and is highly nutritive and digestible for infants, especially for those with loose stools and who are struggling to gain weight.
It also supports the respiratory system in cases of bronchitis, dry and wet coughs and sore throats.
The powder can be made into a rectal suppository or vaginal pessary for inflammation, infection, haemorrhoids or vaginitis.
The powder can be packed into a dental cavity to reduce toothache. It heals abrasions, burns, ulcers, abscesses and the effect can be enhanced by adding powdered Calendula, Chickweed, Comfrey or Irish moss.

Recipes:


Slippery Elm Gruel

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon slippery elm bark powder
  • 236ml of hot water
  • Optional: honey or other sweeteners for taste

Instructions:

  • Boil a cup of water and let it cool slightly, so it's hot but not boiling.
  • In a separate bowl, mix one tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder with a little cold water to make a smooth paste.
  • Slowly add the hot water to the slippery elm paste while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
  • Keep stirring until you get a smooth, thick, gruel-like consistency.
  • If desired, you can sweeten the gruel with honey or another sweetener.
  • Allow it to cool to a comfortable temperature and then consume it.
  • This slippery elm gruel is often used to help soothe irritated or inflamed mucous membranes in the throat, esophagus, and stomach. It may provide relief from symptoms such as heartburn, gastritis, and other digestive discomforts.
Slippery Elm Lozenges

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons slippery elm bark powder
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • A small amount of powdered sugar or more slippery elm powder for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the slippery elm bark powder and honey. You can adjust the amount of honey to achieve the desired consistency. You want the mixture to be thick enough to form into lozenges.
  • Once the mixture reaches the right consistency, pinch off small portions and roll them into small, lozenge-sized balls. You can also use a silicone mold or shape them into discs.
  • If you prefer, you can lightly dust the lozenges with powdered sugar or more slippery elm powder to prevent sticking.
  • Place the lozenges on a parchment paper-lined tray and allow them to dry for at least 24 hours. You can speed up the process by placing them in a dehydrator or on a low-heat setting in your oven.
  • Once the lozenges are completely dry and solid, store them in an airtight container.
  • To use these slippery elm lozenges, simply suck on one as needed for soothing a sore throat or addressing digestive discomfort.

References

IBS

Effects of two natural medicine formulations on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: a pilot study.

The DA-IBS formula consisted of a mixture of dried, powdered bilberry fruit, slippery elm bark, agrimony aerial parts, and cinnamon quills. The C-IBS formula consisted of a mixture of dried powdered slippery elm bark, lactulose, oat bran, and licorice root
The DA-IBS formula was not effective in improving bowel habit in individuals with diarrhea-predominant or alternating bowel habit IBS, although it did significantly improve a number of IBS symptoms. The C-IBS formula significantly improved both bowel habit and IBS symptoms in patients with constipation-predominant IBS. Further research is warranted on C-IBS, as a potentially useful therapeutic formula.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20954962/

Antioxidant, IBS

Antioxidant effects of herbal therapies used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an in vitro study

Slippery elm, fenugreek, devil's claw, tormentil and wei tong ning merit formal evaluation as novel therapies in inflammatory bowel disease.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11860402/

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