
General Information
OTHER NAMES: Muhl, Ulmus rubra, Ulmus fulva, red elm, moose elm, comfrey
HISTORY: Used for medicinal purposes by First Nation people
PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
Considered Uses
Respiratory: Sore throat, cough
Gastrointestinal: Stomach issues, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis. May help protect against stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, diverticulitis, stomach acid, reflux, gastritis, Crohn's, colitis
Genitourinary: Bladder and UTI
Musculoskeletal: rheumatism, gout
Skin: Wound and skin irritation, herpes, burns, cold sores (boils), abscesses, ulcers, toothache
Infectious Disease: Syphilis eruptions
* * *
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, dermatitis (skin irritation), allergic reaction (elm pollen allergen)
CAUTION/CONTRAINDICATIONS: Slippery elm may decrease the absorption of other medications. It is best to take it at a different time than other medications. Note: Warning NOT for pregnant women - can cause miscarriage
FORMS: lozenges, powder, capsule, tincture
DOSAGE: As directed
Reported doses – May NOT be supported by evidence reported by various sources (WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, German Commission E and others). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on label.
1 to 3 tsp of slippery elm powder in 240 mL of water, up to 3 times a day.
Note: Slippery elm medicines are actually from the bark of the tree, but since Dutch elm disease has become so devastating to the elm trees, it is preferable that, rather than harvesting it yourself, you buy a reputable online product as most of those producers are committed to reforesting
*Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider.