The Best Way to Take Slippery Elm

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat illness and promote better health. One herb used by the Native Americans, slippery elm bark, provides relief for a variety of complaints. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, slippery elm barks is sometimes recommended for GERD, or acid reflux disease. Historically people have used it for cough, sore throat, diarrhea and skin irritations.

Externally

• Slippery elm bark is an effective antiseptic for boils, cuts and slight wounds on the skin. The best method for applying this herb externally is to make a poultice. Mix some of the ground inner bark with just enough boiling water to make a paste. After it cools apply the paste and allow it to dry.

Internally

• There are several ways to take slippery elm internally, depending on the malady you want to treat. For acid reflux, diarrhea or other stomach complaint you may be more comfortable taking the slippery elm capsules. These are pre-measured and convenient. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests a dosage between 800 and 1000 mg up to three times a day. Be sure to drink a glass of water with the capsules. The mucilage in the bark coats and soothes your stomach lining to help ease the pain of excess acid, and promotes digestion.

  If you suffer from a sore throat or cough, your best bet is a slippery elm lozenge. These are available over the counter at your local health food store or you can make your own with very little trouble. The website LearningHerbs.com has an easy to make lozenge recipe. It includes ½ cup ground willow bark powder, along with dried chopped licorice root, honey and some boiling water. After making a tea of the licorice root, mix in the other ingredients, roll out the resulting dough, and cut into small squares or circles.

Considerations

• While slippery elm is not considered toxic or dangerous if used as directed, you will need to be conscious of a couple of things. If the skin problem you want to treat is an open wound or weeping sore, do not use slippery elm paste. Its effects upon being introduced directly to the blood stream have not really been studied. This sort of wound may need a doctor’s attention.

  If you have taken slippery elm supplements or tea for a while and do not find your acid reflux condition getting better, see your doctor. You may have a more serious condition that needs a different treatment.