Slippery elm
Scientific names: Ulmus rubra, Ulmus fulva
Family: Ulmaceae
Alternate names: Indian Elm, Moose Elm, Olmo Americano, Orme, Orme Gras, Orme Rouge, Orme Roux, Red Elm, Sweet Elm
Actions: Astringent, Demulcent, Dermatologic
Background
Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a tree that is native to North America. Its inner bark feels slippery when chewed and may be effective for soothing sore throat.
Only the inner bark of slippery elm, not the whole bark, is used as medicine. The inner bark contains chemicals that can increase mucous secretion, which might be helpful for stomach and intestinal problems.
People use slippery elm for sore throat, constipation, stomach ulcers, skin disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Only the inner bark of slippery elm, not the whole bark, is used as medicine. The inner bark contains chemicals that can increase mucous secretion, which might be helpful for stomach and intestinal problems.
People use slippery elm for sore throat, constipation, stomach ulcers, skin disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Slippery elm is possibly safe for most people.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if slippery elm is safe when applied to the skin. In some people, slippery elm can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation when applied to the skin.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if slippery elm is safe when applied to the skin. In some people, slippery elm can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation when applied to the skin.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Folklore says that slippery elm bark can cause a miscarriage when it's inserted into the cervix during pregnancy. Over the years, slippery elm got the reputation for causing an abortion even when taken by mouth. Although there's no reliable information to confirm this claim, stay on the safe side and avoid slippery elm if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using slippery elm for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of slippery elm might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Slippery elm contains a type of soft fiber called mucilage. Mucilage can decrease how much medicine the body absorbs. Taking slippery elm at the same time you take medications by mouth can decrease the effectiveness of your medication. To prevent this interaction, take slippery elm at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 8 g:
- Ulmus rubra (Slippery elm) ext. 125 mg
- Glutamine 2 g
- Zinc carnosine (Polaprezinc) 74.41 mg equiv. zinc 16 mg
- Pectin 1 g
- Uncaria tomentosa ext. 200 mg
- Quercetin 100 mg
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 100 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 50 mg
- Matricaria chamomilla ext. 20 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 2.5 mg
- Althaea officinalis ext. 5 mg
- Hibiscus esculentus ext. 25 mg
Practitioner product
RRP: $53.96$37.77Save: 30%
Per 10 g:
- Ulmus rubra (Slippery elm) 800 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 500 mg
- Brassica oleracea (Broccoli) 400 mg
- Hordeum vulgare powder 500 mg
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium) 1 g
- Citrus limon (Lemon) 400 mg
- Withania somnifera 750 mg
- Fucus vesiculosus 200 mg
- Zingiber officinale 400 mg
- Actaea racemosa 40 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis 500 mg
- Silybum marianum 1 g
- Glycyrrhiza glabra 800 mg
- Vitex agnus-castus 500 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus 500 mg
- Taraxacum officinale 250 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana 40 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus helveticus
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus leichmannii
- Lactobacillus caucasicus
- Lactococcus lactis
- Lactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus brevis
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) (SB)
- Cinnamon zeylanicum 70 mg
- Punica granatum 250 mg
- Rubus idaeus 300 mg
RRP: $163.60$130.88Save: 20%
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Restock unknown
RRP: $54.99$40.69Save: 26%
Per 6 g (Orange Mango):
- Ulmus rubra (Slippery elm) powder 750 mg
- Glutamine 2 g
- Curcuma longa phospholipids (Turmeric) 50 mg equiv. curcuminoids 10 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 50 mg
- Cynara scolymus ext. 100 mg
- Zinc gluconate 58.14 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
- Pectin 600 mg
- Quercetin dihydrate 200 mg
- Acacia catechu 1.2 g
- Althaea officinalis ext. 533.34 mg
RRP: $63.99$49.91Save: 22%
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per 10 g (Pineapple):
- Ulmus rubra (Slippery elm) powder 500 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 29 mg
- L-glutamine 1 g
- Citrus pectin 500 mg
- Larix occidentalis (arabinogalactan) (Larch) 2 g
- Glycyrrhiza glabra deglycyrrhizinised ext. 238 mg
- L-glycine 500 mg
- Althaea officinalis ext. 75 mg
- L-cysteine 200 mg
- Selenomethionine 125 μg equiv. selenium 50 μg
- Zinc bisglycinate 40 mg equiv. zinc 8 mg
- Curcuma longa ext. 100 mg
Practitioner product
Per 5 g:
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Discontinued by Nutrition Care
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Per 5 g:
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
RRP: $31.45$22.01Save: 30%
RRP: $30.95$21.67Save: 30%
Per 5 g (Vanilla):
RRP: $51.50$36.05Save: 30%
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This monograph was last reviewed on 27/01/2023 20:05:15. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
