6 Slippery Elm Benefits For Health, How To Take, & Side Effects

The benefits of slippery elm were being valued long before the emergence of antibiotics. This glue-like substance was used in treating many acute and chronic disorders, including gastrointestinal issues.

The active molecules in this ingredient also relieve insect bites and repair the gut lining, intestinal walls, throat, and skin. It has a slippery consistency in its bark that resembles glue. Slippery elm is a rich source of polyphenols and sugars that are responsible for most of its benefits. Learn more about them in the article below.

Know Your Ingredient: Slippery Elm

What Is It?
A tree native to America and Canada containing medicinal properties in its inner bark.

What Are Its Benefits?
It is good for gastrointestinal health and may help treat psoriasis, constipation, sore throat, and general wounds and cuts.

Who Can Consume It?
Anyone who is not allergic can consume it.

How Often?
It may be consumed daily.

Caution
It may decrease the effectiveness of orally-administered medications, due to its ability to bind to various drugs. Hence, consume it before or after 2 hours of any medicine.

What Is Slippery Elm?

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) a.ka. red elm, soft elm, or Indian elm, is a medium-sized forest tree native to the woods, streams, and hills of Northeastern Canada, Florida, Texas, and parts of  Central America (1), (2).

It gets its name from the whitish, gummy, inner bark. It feels chewy and slippery when ingested. The redness of the inner bark gives it the scientific name “rubra”   (1), (2), (3).

This slippery, chewy feel is because of the mucilage or glue-like substance in its bark, which swells (about 60-40 times) when soaked in water. It can be used as a soothing ointment/gel and has several therapeutic benefits (4), (5).

The elm’s mucilage protects the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract from excess gastric juices and pathogens. It may help treat conditions like hyperacidity, GERDⁱ  XA chronic condition that develops when bile or stomach acid enters the esophagus and irritates the cell walls. , leaky gut, sore throat, etc.

The leaves, bark, and fruit of this tree are also being studied for their medicinal values. Ironically, slippery elm has rough and pale leaves.

In combination with herbs like triphala, licorice, etc., this plant extract is an Ayurvedic remedy and a potent prebiotic (4). In the following section, you will discover the different ways this mucilage can heal you. Scroll on!

What Are The Benefits Of Slippery Elm?

Wondering what slippery elm is good for? The glue-like secretions effectively control disorders of the GI tract. Slippery elm may also help treat a sore and itchy throat, diarrhea, and other inflammatory conditions. Check out the benefits of slippery elm for women below.

1. Relieves Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD arises when the muscles (sphincter) at the junction of the food pipe (esophagus) and stomach get inflamed. This causes the stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus, giving you a heartburn.

You may also experience severe acid reflux and a burning sensation in your gut and chest. Such cases need medication that relaxes the sphincter muscles and tones down the inflammation present. Remedies incorporating herbs like slippery elm have shown great relief (6).

Slippery elm can be combined with marshmallow to make cold infusions or a water-based gruel (6). Mix 1-2 tablespoons of the elm’s powder in a cup of water and take it after meals and before bedtime. Such mixtures work as demulcentsⁱ  XIngredients or drugs that form a shield-like film on the mouth’s mucous membranes to soothe irritation and mild pain.  to soothe inflamed gut muscles (7).

Quick Tip

Ensure not to add beyond 1-2 tablespoons of the powder as excess of it can make it too thick to ingest.

2. Eases Sore Throat, Cough

Native Americans used tea made from the inner bark of this herb to heal sore throats, coughs, mouth ulcers, and inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis). Slippery elm is often found in lozenges, softgels, and cough medications (5), (8).

Its mucilage soothes throat inflammation caused due to flu, allergies, or infections. Slippery elm stimulates the cell lining of your throat to produce more mucus (5), (8).

Elm extracts have flavonoids, quinones, alkaloids, triterpenes, and polyacetylates, which are responsible for this demulcent effect (9).

3. Manages Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD describes two distinct chronic conditions: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). UC primarily affects the colon, whereas CD may involve any portion of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. These conditions make IBD extremely debilitating (10).

The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents from alternative herbal medicine have effectively controlled its severity. Slippery elm, tormentil, Mexican yam, licorice, aloe vera, and curcumin are a few options that have been successfully tested in this regard(10), (11).

Most of these ingredients, including slippery elm, exhibit potent antioxidant activity. They scavenge the free radicals produced by inflamed gut cells. Colon biopsies from patients with UC show reduced free radical release after this herbal treatment (11), (12).

4. May Control Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by sharply defined, red patches covered with a silvery, flaky surface. What causes this condition is still unclear. Weather, stress, and genetic factors may make people susceptible to psoriasis (13).

Since there’s no known cure yet, modern research is trying to improve the quality of life in these patients. Ancient medicine prescribes the use of anti-inflammatory herbs, including chamomile, aloe vera, slippery elm, flaxseed oil, tea tree oil, and turmeric to deal with psoriasis. Slippery elm may hydrate your skin (13), (14).

The elm may also prevent the psoriatic patches from itching and chafing. That’s why yellow saffron and slippery elm herbal infusion/tea has shown positive outcomes in several studies (13), (14), (15), (16).

5. Improves Diarrhea And Constipation

A tea brewed from the inner bark of slippery elm was used as a laxative by the Native Americans. It is also a diuretic, thereby increasing water and salt excretion from your body. These properties may help one deal with constipation and hemorrhoidsⁱ  XAlso known as piles, a disorder in which veins of the rectum and anus are inflamed and enlarged, causing discomfort and bleeding.  (5).

This plant tones down gut inflammation. Having its infusions controls diarrhea, as per ancient medicine and recent research (5).

Dilute one teaspoon of slippery elm powder/extract in warm water. Mix well and drink at room temperature for relief (17).

Quick Tip

You can also add sugar or honey to the drink to make it more palatable.

6. Treats Wounds, Cuts, And Bites

The mucilage in slippery elm is used to treat skin ailments. The bark is powdered to make poultices. It is said that settlers, tribes, and soldiers used these poultices to treat wounds, cuts, boils, and insect bites (5), (18), (19). Hence it is efficient for wound healing.

It acts as an emollient by smoothening and softening your skin. The slippery elm mucilage quickly swells into a gooey mass when mixed with water. It can, therefore, work on dry or mildly inflamed skin (19).

Did You Know?

During the American revolution, surgeons used to treat gunshot wounds with the help of slippery elm by making a poultice of its inner bark.

Aren’t these slippery elm bark benefits for women amazing? The medicinal properties of this herb can be attributed to its phytochemicals. These polyphenols can scavenge free radicals. They also reduce the levels of inflammatory compounds that may cause the above-listed conditions. Find more details below.

Phytochemical Composition Of Slippery Elm

The inner bark of slippery elm contains oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, uvaol, botulin, ß-carotene, ß-sitosterol, and citrostadienol (9).

It has a high content of polysaccharides/complex sugars. D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose, and galactose residues predominantly form the mucilage. Starch, gums, pectin, and lignin are also abundant in this herb (4), (21).

These unique molecules can alter your gut microbes. The polyphenols enhance your immunity. Hence, slippery elm is known to aid in digestion.

This was all about the benefits of slippery elm bark and its phytochemical composition. But how do you use it? Where can it be found? Is it safe to take slippery elm every day? Let us find out.

How To Take Slippery Elm

Take 1-2 tablespoons of slippery elm bark powder in a glass of water after meals and before bedtime. This could soothe GERD and other related gastric troubles (22).

You can find dried slippery elm bark powder easily on the market. This powder can also be added to your tea while brewing.

This herb is available as capsules, lozenges, and cream/ointment. You could also find unprocessed shards of its inner bark.

Another easy way to include this ingredient in your diet is consuming slippery elm tea. Learn how to make it in the next section.

Slippery Elm Tea Recipe

You Will Need

A tablespoon of slippery elm bark (you can use the bark pieces or powder)
A cup of water

Process

1. Heat the water until it boils.
2. Keep the slippery elm bark in a mug or teapot.
3. Add the boiled water to the teapot to ensure it mixes with the slippery elm bark.
4. Cover the teapot and let the blend steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. You may strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve or a tea strainer to remove the bark particles.
6. Enjoy your warm tea. You can also add honey or a slice of lemon for flavor.

Be Well My Friends, a blogger, spoke about how they consume slippery elm daily for her health. They said, “I usually eat slippery elm with a honey-sweetened candy that I make with sesame seeds. Then after about a half hour, I chug two shots of coconut kefir (approximately 2 tablespoons) or eat some coconut yogurt (i).

But is it safe to take slippery elm every day, given its wild origin? Are there any risks linked to its intake?

What Are The Side Effects And Risks Of Taking Slippery Elm?

Herb-drug interactions have been commonly observed and studied. Slippery elm (or its supplements) binds to various drugs. They should not be taken together (23).

It is best to take this herb at least 2 hours before/after any drug intake (23). The elm mucilage may alter the absorption/impact of orally-ingested drugs.

However, there is not a lot of literature explaining the side effects of slippery elm. Most lab trials show almost no toxicity.

Although folklore recommends the use of slippery elm in pregnant and lactating women, there is insufficient scientific evidence supporting its safety.

Therefore, consult your healthcare provider about this herb. Understand its safety and follow the dose prescribed for you.

Infographic: How To Take Slippery Elm and Dosage

Slippery elm is known for its medicinal properties. It is widely used to manage many acute and chronic disorders. It also offers an array of benefits when taken. It can be taken in various forms to manage many health ailments.

The following infographic provides information about various forms of slippery elm suitable for consumption and dosage. Check it out!

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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If you wish to give complementary medicine a shot, talk to your doctor about slippery elm. For your safety, have this herb only if prescribed/advised. Do not self-medicate.

Leave your feedback about this read and ingredient in the box below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can slippery elm damage the liver?

Yes, slippery elm may damage the liver if taken in excess for a long duration. Hence, its intake should be limited.

Is slippery elm prebiotic?

Yes, slippery elm exhibits prebiotic properties. It promotes gut health by supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Does slippery elm help with weight loss?

Slippery elm may aid in weight loss by controlling blood sugar levels. (Uncontrolled blood sugar levels may contribute to weight gain). However, there is only limited research in this regard.

Does slippery elm help with bloating?

Yes, slippery elm helps in managing bloating, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal discomfort in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Vd. Naveen SharmaBAMS, Ayurveda Specialist

 

Dr. Naveen Sharma is a renowned Ayurveda specialist with an experience of 10 years. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery(B. A. M. S) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, in 2007. He has a professional membership with AYUSH. Dr. Sharma’s specialties include cancer, liver disorders, autoimmune disorders, lifestyle disorders, migraine, hair fall, PCOD...more

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

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