Slippery Elm

Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) has been used as an herbal remedy in North America for centuries. Native Americans used slippery elm in healing salves for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation. It was also taken orally to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach problems.
 Slippery elm contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. It coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines while the herb’s tannins are astringent, making slippery elm ideal to soothe inflammations, reduce swelling and heal damaged tissues; it may also contain antioxidants that can help relieve inflammatory bowel conditions.
 Even though there has been little scientific research on slippery elm, it is used to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, diarrhea, IBD/IBS (inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome), colitis (inflammation of the colon).

Supporting Research
Bock S. Integrative medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Int J Integr Med. 2000;2(5):21-29.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. 4th ed. Great Britain: Biddles Ltd, Guildford and King’s Lynn; 1996.
Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:697.
Langmead L, Dawson C, Hawkins C, Banna N, Loo S, Rampton DS. Antioxidant effects of herbal therapies used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an in vitro study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002;16(2):197-205.
Newall C, Anderson L, Phillipson J. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:248.
Rotblatt M, Ziment I. Evidence-based Herbal Medicine. Philadelphia, Penn: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.;2202:337-338.
Hutchens AR: Indian Herbalogy of North America. Merco, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; 1973.