Slippery Elm
Updated Jun. 05th, 2023
Slippery elm is a tree that is native to North America and was first used by native North Americans. They discovered that when the bark was mixed with water it formed a thick mucus-like substance. Slippery elm is a demulcent, an agent that coats and protects mucosal surfaces. The active components in slippery elm are large carbohydrate molecules.
In the respiratory tract, slippery elm decreases coughs, speeds removal of mucus and helps to heal the tract. In the stomach and intestines, slippery elm protects the lining from ulceration. Slippery elm also soothes the urinary tract and helps the skin to heal. Natural health practitioners recommend slippery elm for a variety of needs including a sore throat, colds, coughs, bladder infections, digestive ulcers, burns, and wounds.
Slippery elm can be found in a variety of different forms including dried, powdered or encapsulated inner bark or liquid extract. It is often used as a lozenge, tea or drink. Topically slippery elm can be mixed with water and applied directly to the skin or onto a poultice.
Slippery elm is found in formulas for cold or cough relief, urinary tract health, and ulcers. When purchasing slippery elm use only the inner bark. The outer bark contains medicinal components that may be harmful and may cause miscarriage. The harvesting of the inner bark of slippery elm usually results in the death of the tree. You may want to inquire about the source and farming practices of the manufacturer of your chosen product.
Slippery elm may alter blood sugar levels by reducing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestine. Therefore diabetics, hypoglycemic individuals and people using medication to regulate sugar levels should use slippery elm with caution. Slippery elm may also inhibit the absorption of other medications or supplements if they are taken at the same time.
I love Traditional Medicinal's throat coat tea. One prominent ingredient in this tea is slippery elm. I assumed that this herb was good for the throat/perhaps mucosal surfaces due to the tea's throat-soothing effects but I had never looked more into it. Thank you for educating me more! Now I know that slippery elm is a demulcent, and that it not only has benefits in the respiratory tract, where it decreases coughs, speeds removal of mucus and helps to heal the tract, but also in the stomach and intestines, where it protects the GI lining from ulceration, and even the urinary tract and skin. No wonder slippery elm is used in so many products claiming benefits for diverse conditions including sore throat, colds, digestion, and bladder concerns. Thank you for educating me more on this ingredient!!
Also, I didn't know that slippery elm can alter blood sugar levels by reducing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestine and that it can affect metabolism of certain drugs-that's good pratical information to know!!
Hello Rachel,
Indeed, it's not only important to know what health concerns different nutrients support and how they work once ingested, it's just as important to know if they have any contraindications or if there are times when it shouldn't be taken. We're also happy to hear you could learn more about one of the ingredients in your favourite immune boosting supplements!
Stay healthy & well!