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Slippery Elm Information

Slippery elm, or ulmus rubra, is an herb indigenous to North America. It is also called moose elm, Indian elm, grey elm or red elm. Many claims exist as to the health and healing properties of slippery elm, but as of 2009, the vast majority of these claims have not been evaluated or endorsed by the medical community. However, there does seem to be a general consensus among alternative practitioners and medical doctors alike that slippery elm is useful in resolving digestive upset.

  1. What Is It?

    • Slippery elm contains a number of substances. The principal ingredient, mucilage--a long chain of sugars that becomes slippery when mixed with water--is responsible for slippery elm's success as a digestive aid, according to "1001 Herbs For a Healthy Life." Slippery elm also conains phytosterols, palmitic and oleic fatty acids, carbobhyrdaes, tannins, calium oxalate and cholesterol.

    History

    • Slippery elm comes from the inner bark of slippery elm trees. It has a long history of use as both a food substance and a medical agent. Some believe that George Washington, along with his army, ate slippery elm during a time of famine in Valley Forge. Other suggested historical uses include alleviating coughs, inflammation, fever, digestive upset and cancer.

    Uses

    • According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute, slippery elm today is primarily useful as a digestive aid. The mucilage responsible for this property contains polysaccharides that are not water-soluble. They form a viscous material when wet that is able to absorb toxins in the body and acts as a laxative. Other, more controversial suggestions for use include fighting tumors (due to the fatty acids) and treating bronchitis, sore throat, fever, inflammation, diarrhea, ulcers and skin infections. The use of slippery elm as a treatment for any of these conditions has not been vindicated by any human studies as of July 2009.

    Dose

    • Generally, slippery elm is administered in capsule or film form. A normal dose is 360mg per capsule or pill, and two capsules can be consumed with a meal. Slippery elm may also be available in a powder form that can be added to water. One to two tsp. of powder should be added, if consumed as a powder.

    Side Effects

    • As of July 2009, no known adverse side effects or drug interactions have been reported for slippery elm. However, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute cautions that slippery elm, while potentially useful in treating minor coughs and digestive upset, should not be viewed as a substitute for medical treatment for cancer or serious illnesses.

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