Slippery elm is a medium-sized tree native to North America. It’s the inner bark that is dried and powdered and used for medicinal purposes. It’s used for many common ailments ranging from digestive and respiratory issues to urinary tract, skin, and wound healing. This herbal medicine is well known to native Americans who’ve used it for centuries.
Frankly, I’ve never used this herb until recently when my naturopathic doctor at my cancer center recommended it for my digestive tract, and it worked like a charm. It can be taken internally or used as a salve.
Here are seven useful benefits of slippery elm that might interest you:
- Improves digestive health. When the powder form of slippery elm is added to water and taken internally, this mixture creates a mucilage or demulcent that soothes inflamed and irritated issues. This mucilage can soothe the lining of the gastrointestinal tract relieving constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. It contains antioxidants which helps with inflammatory bowel issues. It also causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract leading to increased mucus secretion. This may help protect against ulcers and excess acidity. Which leads us to benefit #2.
- Relieves heartburn and GERD. Some people use it as an herbal remedy for heartburn and acid reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus and irritates the lining. This slippery elm mucilage actually coats the esophagus and may prevent and soothe the irritation and inflammation which ensues when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. It’s important to treat what is causing GERD and not merely mask the symptoms because chronic GERD is listed as a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
- Can soothe a sore throat or cough. The mucilage in the slippery elm is a sticky mixture that can’t be broken down by the human digestive tract. It’s actually both soluble and insoluble fiber. When this mucilage coats the throat, it soothes the tissues. This is why slippery elm is used in many throat lozenges. It’s also antitussive which means it’s helpful for coughs, bronchitis, or asthma.
- Promotes healing in wounds and with skin issues. Native Americans as I already mentioned have used slippery elm in healing salves for wounds, burns, ulcers, boils, and skin inflammation for years. American soldiers used it to heal gunshot wounds during the Revolutionary War. Slippery elm contains 3% tannins which bind with protein in the skin and this increases healing in that area. Some people use the salve for eczema, shingles, and other skin issues. So check with your doctor.
- May help with irritation of the urinary tract. Slippery elm is a mild diuretic that helps to increase the flow of urine and eliminate waste from the body. It is sometimes recommended to people with inflammation of the urinary tract because it soothes the lining.
- It’s an ingredient in an herbal cancer treatment called Essiac Tea. Essiac Tea is a proprietary blend of burdock root, sheep sorrel leaves, Indian rhubarb root, and slippery elm bark. Perfected by Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, the origins of this blend can be traced back to an Ojibwa medicine man. Caisse was intrigued by its reputed ability to treat illnesses such as cancer. Although she faced considerable opposition and skepticism from the medical community, today there are many testimonials and even scientific studies shedding light on the benefits of some of the individual herbs. But what works for one may not work for another person because we are all individuals.
- May be used to protect the gut after chemotherapy. My naturopathic doctor prescribed L-glutamine powder in water for five days after each chemotherapy to protect my gut and prevent neuropathy. And it worked. My current naturopathic doctor whom recently prescribed slippery elm for my digestive issues, told me that she recommends it 24 hours after chemotherapy for her patients. If her patients are having neuropathy, she recommends the L-glutamine powder, but if not, she recommends slippery elm. It can be helpful to engage the services of a naturopathic doctor in the cancer journey. I’m fortunate that my cancer center, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, now called City of Hope, continues to provide this for me.
The fiber in slippery elm adds bulk to your diet which can help with weight control, and this prebiotic fiber feeds the good bacteria in our gut. It’s known as contributing to a healthy gut barrier lining and helping to cure leaky gut while promoting healthy bowels. As an anti-inflammatory, it also helps to reduce oxidative stress.
Although there are limited scientific studies available, slippery elm is generally recognized as safe. It can be taken internally in water or as a supplement, or applied as a salve to areas of the skin. But there are a few cautions. It should not be taken within 2 hours of medications because it can decrease the absorption of medicines. It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers because there is simply no research to prove its safe or unsafe. It’s also not recommended if one has a bowel or esophageal obstruction. And some people might have sensitivities when applying on their skin. It’s best to check with your doctor or naturopathic doctor before using.
Have you ever used slippery elm for anything condition? If so, was it beneficial?
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Seven Useful Benefits of Slippery Elm
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube
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**** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. ****
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