Slippery elm, scientifically known as Ulmus rubra and commonly referred to as Red Elm or Indian Elm, is a native North American tree. It can live for up to 200 years and is mainly found growing in northern Florida, westward to eastern Texas, southeast North Dakota, and even parts of Canada.
The slippery elm tree thrives in moist soil and can reach up to 50 feet in height. Its most distinctive feature is its “slippery,” gummy-textured inner bark, which has a sweet, almost maple-like smell.
This inner bark has medicinal properties and is commonly dried and powdered for use in teas and natural supplements. Native Americans began using the bark of the Red Elm tree as a remedy in the 19th century, likely to help with digestion.
What makes slippery elm a standout in this arena is the substance it contains known as mucilage. When mixed with water, the mucilage forms a thick gel that coats the throat and the intestinal lining, making it a perfect remedy for symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal problems such as leaky gut syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Slippery elm can also be helpful for colds that cause a sore throat because it eases throat pain. It is also full of bioflavonoids, starch, tannins, calcium, and vitamin E, each with its own useful properties.
The use of slippery elm as a complementary herbal remedy extends to various digestive health issues.
13 Impressive Benefits
Slippery elm is known for its versatility in treating so many health issues. Here are 13 benefits of incorporating this powerful herb into your wellness routine:
1. Respiratory Problems
Thanks to its mucilage content that soothes and coats the throat, slippery elm is a
widely used ingredient in cough drops and lozenges meant to relieve throat pain. It can also be used as an antitussive to suppress coughing and ease symptoms of laryngitis, asthma, and other upper respiratory problems.
2. Digestive Issues
Slippery elm is a known demulcent (meaning it forms a protective film that reduces irritation) due to its mucilage content and ability to reduce inflammation in the gut.
It can ease symptoms of digestive problems like IBS and stimulate nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract to increase mucous secretion. This increase may also help protect against stomach ulcers.
Plus, since it’s high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, slippery elm is considered a prebiotic and producer of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In other words, it can help support a healthy microbiome by giving beneficial microbes their favorite food
— and we all know how important that is.
Its high fiber content also makes slippery elm a great natural laxative. So, if you’re going to add this to your wellness routine and aren’t dealing with constipation, keep it in moderation!
3. Psoriasis
A preliminary study has shown that supplementing with slippery elm benefits the rashes and scaly dry patches caused by psoriasis.
In one small-scale investigation, researchers followed 5 people with psoriasis who improved their diets and drank slippery elm bark water daily. Every patient showed significant improvement in their symptoms afterward.
4. De-Stressor
The phenolic compounds in slippery elm can protect against the effects of stress. (Research has shown that adding slippery elm and other high-phenolic herbs to the diet is a great way to relieve both stress and anxiety.
Give it a try and let me know if it has benefited you!
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