Slippery Elm Bark

Ulmus ruba

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.

One of the most common uses for slippery elm is as a digestive aid. The mucilage found in its bark is ideal for soothing the digestive tract and eliminating inflammation, primarily the type that causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). There is also a significant amount of fibrous tissue found in the bark, which can help to bulk up the stool and eliminate issues like diarrhea. All in all, it is a full-service gastrointestinal cleaner and has been used as such for thousands of years.

Slippery elm has traditionally been used to calm sore throats, as the anti-inflammatory compounds of the bark can significantly reduce irritation in the throat. Creating a pulp of the mucilage is the best approach for this remedy but drinking a powdered mixture will also do the trick, and this fast-acting treatment will have your sore throat coated and protected in no time.

Slippery elm is an ingredient in an herbal cancer treatment called Essiac.

There are many other nutrients found in slippery elm beside mucilage, including iron, which is crucial to produce red blood cells. This can increase circulation, and thereby boost oxygenation of important parts of the body. More importantly, when combined with potassium, which is also present in it, you can fully optimize the cardiovascular system and relieve strain.

The most valuable and diverse effects of slippery elm relate to its anti-inflammatory abilities, particularly for heartburn and hemorrhoids. The strong effect of slippery elm in treating or lessening the severity of these conditions is well documented and widely relied on in alternative medicine circles.

We recommend taking two capsules daily for optimum results or drinking a teaspoon of the powder with a glass of water.