What Is Slippery Elm?
Slippery elm is a tree that grows in North America. For centuries, Native Americans and later European settlers used its inner bark as a treatment for many conditions.
The scientific name for the tree is Ulmus rubra or Ulmus fulva.
Other names for it include:
- Gray Elm
- Moose Elm
- Red Elm
- Soft Elm
Slippery Elm grows in most parts of the U.S. except these states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
It also grows in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.
How Is Slippery Elm Used?
The only part of slippery elm used for health conditions is its inner bark, which contains a substance called mucilage. When you mix mucilage and water, it becomes a gel, which may help soothe irritated tissues.
You can find slippery elm in several forms.
Slippery elm supplements
Slippery elm is available as a supplement in tablet or capsule form. You can find it online or at stores that carry natural remedies.
Slippery elm powder
Slippery elm bark can be dried and pounded into a coarse powder. When you mix it with water, it becomes a paste that you can apply to your skin.
Slippery elm lozenges
People use lozenges that contain slippery elm to treat sore throats. This is also another way to swallow slippery elm if you're using it for stomach upset.
Slippery elm tea
You can find the bark made into a fine powder, which you can use to make tea.
Slippery Elm Benefits
There's very little research on the benefits of slippery elm. The FDA classifies it as "generally recognized as safe," or GRAS.
Before you or someone in your family starts taking slippery elm or any other herbal supplement, it's best to check with your doctor.
Researchers haven't established what amount of slippery elm makes up a safe dose.
May treat digestive problems
The mucilage in slippery elm may help improve bowel regularity. A small amount is mixed in water to make a slurry, which is ingested for digestive problems. Slippery elm may help people with constipation due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), one small study showed. Some people also use slippery elm powder in water to soothe heartburn and mild stomach discomfort.
May help with sore throat and cough
Slippery elm traditionally has been used to treat sore throats and coughs. Theoretically, the smooth texture of slippery elm soothes your throat. But there's no scientific evidence to back this up.
May treat GERD
Some people mix two tablespoons of slippery elm powder with water and drink it to ease symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), usually after meals or before bed. However, a review of available research on slippery elm for GERD found little evidence that it helped.
May lower inflammation
The study on IBS and another on antioxidant effects suggest slippery elm might reduce inflammation. But more research is needed.
May treat wounds, burns, and other skin conditions
Some people use slippery elm ointments to soothe skin ulcers and cold sores. There's not enough research to know if they really help.
As a cancer treatment
Slippery elm is an ingredient in an herbal cancer treatment called Essiac or Flor Essence. But there's no evidence that it has any benefit. Its side effects — which can include nausea, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms — may lower quality of life. Slippery elm products aren't approved in the U.S. as a cancer treatment.
How Long Does It Take Slippery Elm to Work?
There's no established dosage for slippery elm. Research on how quickly you'll feel any effects, or whether you'll see any benefit at all, is limited.
Slippery Elm Risks
Tell your doctor about any supplements (including natural ones) you're taking so they can monitor any potential side effects or interactions with medications.
Supplements aren't regulated by the FDA in the same way that drugs are. The FDA does not review these supplements for safety or efficacy before they hit the market.
Risks
Slippery elm may not be safe for children or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, avoid slippery elm. Traditionally, people thought it could cause miscarriages.
Interactions
Slippery elm may slow down how quickly your body absorbs medications, so don’t swallow it near the time when you take your medicines. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before starting slippery elm supplements.
Slippery elm side effects
Slippery elm supplements seem to be safe for most adults. It can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. Slippery elm ointment on the skin can sometimes cause a rash.
Is it safe to take slippery elm every day?
There's no research on how much slippery elm you should take or how often. Check the directions on the packaging and discuss it with your doctor.
Takeaways
Slippery elm is a tree native to much of the eastern and central U.S. and Canada. Its inner bark has been used for years as a herbal remedy for conditions such as stomach upset, sore throats, and skin problems. You can find it in several forms, including supplements, powders, and teas. It's recognized as generally safe, but there's not much evidence to back up most of the health claims. If you want to use slippery elm, talk to your doctor first and follow product directions.
Slippery Elm FAQs
What does slippery elm do for you?
The inner bark of slippery elm contains a substance called mucilage. When you mix it with liquid, it takes on a smooth, gel-like texture. That is thought to soothe inflamed and irritated tissues.
Can you get slippery elm from foods?
Slippery elm is an ingredient in supplements, lozenges, and teas. You can also buy a powdered form. It doesn't occur naturally in any foods.
Is slippery elm a laxative?
Some research suggests slippery elm can help symptoms of IBS, which can include constipation. The fiber in slippery elm adds bulk to your bowel movements, which may have a laxative effect.
Does slippery elm heal the gut lining?
There's not much evidence to back up the idea that slippery elm can ease digestive problems. One small study in Australia found that a nutritional supplement with ingredients that included slippery elm reduced indigestion, heartburn, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gas.