Slippery Elm Bark

What is Slippery Elm Bark?

Native to Ontario, Canada, and the central and eastern United States, the slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a tree. The tree's inner bark has long been used as a treatment for a variety of common illnesses, including fevers, cuts, and sore throats.

Indian elm and red elm are other names for slippery elm. It can reach a height of 60 to 80 feet and is distinctive for its dark brown to reddish brown bark. Native Americans used its crimson, sticky inner bark as medicine, peeling it off of twigs and branches.

They discovered that the bark produces mucilage, a sticky substance that is healing and calming to whatever it comes into contact with, when it is combined with water. To prevent their meat from spoiling, the Native Americans would also wrap it in the inner bark of the slippery elm tree.

During the American Revolution, American troops used the bark of the slippery elm tree to treat bullet wounds.

How do I use Slippery Elm Bark?

The standard dose for powdered bark is one tablespoon, up to three times a day. It may be blended with water or tea. The water might become too thick to drink if slippery elm is added in excess. To make the beverage more appetizing, you might add honey and sugar.

Slippery Elm Bark Benefits:

Native Americans used slick elm to make medicinal salves for skin inflammation, burns, sores, boils, and ulcers. Additionally, it was used orally to treat stomach issues, diarrhea, sore throats, and coughs. Mucilage, found in slippery elm, is a component that, when combined with water, forms a slippery gel.

◉ Inflammatory Bowel Diseases:- Bark from slippery elm is soothing. This indicates that it has the ability to calm and lessen inflammation in the lining of the stomach and intestines. Mucoprotective agents are another term for demulcents.

Slick elm bark may be able to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to recent research.

Sleek elm bark improved bowel movements in people with constipation-predominant IBS, according to a tiny clinical investigation; however, the bark was just one component of the combination, and no further research has confirmed these results. People with Crohn's disease showed an antioxidant effect from slippery elm, according to another study.

◉ Soothing a Cough and Sore Throat: The sticky combination of sugars called mucilage found in slippery elm is indigestible to humans. Given that the mucilage coats the throat, slippery elm's commercial presence in several kinds of throat lozenges is not surprising.

Because slippery elm is thought to have antitussive properties, it is beneficial for coughs as well as symptoms associated with upper respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis. Once again, there are no studies to back up or contradict these assertions.

Some possible calming benefits of the bark have also been shown by research looking at its use in patients with laryngitis, throat irritation, and voice issues. Further investigation is required.

◉ Irritation of the Urinary Tract: People who have urinary tract irritation that cannot be explained, such as those who have interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), may benefit from taking slippery elm. Powdered slippery elm is said to calm the urinary tract's lining. As a result, it could assist in reducing the uncomfortable, unpleasant symptoms. Once again, research is required to confirm or deny these assertions. 

Additionally, it aids in increasing urine flow and removing waste from the body since it is a moderate diuretic.

◉ Heartburn and GERD: Acid reflux, another name for occasional heartburn, may benefit from the use of slippery elm. It's also regarded as a natural treatment for GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Acid reflux from the stomach causes GERD, a chronic illness that irritates the lining of the esophagus.

The slippery elm's mucilage coats the esophagus, perhaps mitigating the discomfort and inflammation caused by stomach acid refluxing up the esophagus.

See your physician if you have GERD or heartburn. He could consent to you attempting a home cure by combining 1-2 teaspoons of slippery elm leaves with a glass of water and sipping it after dinner.

Where can I buy Slippery Elm Bark?

Buy slippery elm bark from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Slippery Elm Bark information (at a glance):