Slippery Elm (Ulmus Fulva) is widely used for treating various health problems. It is very healthy and rich in nutrients, including calcium, amino acids, bromine, iodine, sugars, and starch.

The inner bark of this tree possesses medicinal value that is used in the treatment of many external and internal problems. Slippery Elm powder turns into a very slippery gel when mixed with water, and this is where it derives its name. The plant can be used to treat several health problems related to the skin, hair, and overall health of an individual.

Health Benefits of Slippery Elm Bark

A balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, and a good exercise routine can help a person live a meaningful life. There are herbs that help boost overall wellbeing too! The slippery elm is one of such herbs that offers a wide range of health benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Lowers Anxiety and Stress

Many plants contain phenolics, which are aromatic benzene ring compounds that produce one or more hydroxyl groups, mainly for protection against stress. This makes slippery elm a great stress reliever.  Studies suggest that slippery can be used in combination with some herbs, including sheep blessed thistle, red clover, burdock, sorrel, and kelp.

Supports Weight Loss

Since slippery elm has the ability to improve digestion, this process can aid in weight loss. Nutritional supplements containing digestive enzymes that were intended to facilitate digestion, lower cholesterol levels, increase metabolic rate and mediate inflammatory processes were consumed before each meal. The regimented supplementation program consists of daily supplementation with a green drink that contains wheat grass, alfalfa, and apple cider vinegar.

A cleanse supplementation containing slippery elm, ginger, garlic, camu camu, magnesium, chia seeds, flaxseed, aloe, lemon, cat’s claw, bentonite clay, peppermint, turmeric, pau d’arco, stevia, zeolite clay, and citrus bioflavonoids can be incorporated into a daily weight loss diet.

In addition to significant reductions in weight, people who use slippery elm have low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Treats Skin-related Problems

Slippery Elm is widely used to treat various skin related problems. Skin disorders not only cause pain and discomfort but can also lead to severe mental distress. The herb is used to treat psoriasis, a condition where the skin becomes red, itchy and scaly. People also experience inflammation in extreme cases. Use this herb in addition to your regular medication for faster relief.
Burns, ulcers, and boils can be cured with ointments made from the slippery elm bark or with the supplements using extracts of the bark. Rheumatism, cold sores, abrasions, abscesses, and various other skin problems can also be cured naturally with the usage of slippery elm.

The powdered internal bark of the slippery elm plant can be mixed with water to make mucilage, which is slippery and soft and usually used to make your skin smooth and radiant.

Promotes Healthy Hair

Most people desire healthy, beautiful hair. Unfortunately, growing pollution, stress and bad lifestyle choices have made strong hair seem like a mirage. But like several herbs of its kind, the slippery elm possesses qualities that make it an amazing herb for hair care. The numerous hair care benefits we can derive from the slippery elm are:

The high content of procyanidins in slippery elm improves the strength of hair and makes it tensile. Slippery elm extracts promote healthy hair growth and improve the volume of hair. Due to the slimy nature of elm, it works as a great conditioner and detangles the hair, making it soft and smooth. Various hair care products use elm extracts to treat dry, dull and damaged hair. It is also used in hair packs to get rid of dandruff.

Aids in Digestion

Slippery Elm provides a soothing effect on the food tract and the digestive system, making it effective for stomach ulcers. Other stomach problems like constipation and diarrhea can also be treated using elm extract. It appears to improve symptoms of constipation and IBS. Studies have shown that consistent use of slippery elm powder with powdered bilberry fruit, licorice root, oat bran, lactulose, cinnamon quils, and the aerial parts of agrimony can help regulate bowel movements in terms of stool frequency and consistency.

These studies indicate that even with the small but significant increase in bowel movement frequency, users also experienced reductions in abdominal pain, straining, bloating, excessive flatulence and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after trying out slippery elm.

Furthermore, it has been proven to be effective in treating diarrhea and diverticulitis.

Cures Cold and Cough

Slippery elm is used to cure cold, sore throat and dry cough. It is effective for children as well as adults. For those who want to recover from prolonged flu at a better pace, elm supplements work wonders.

Treats Vaginal Infections

Many women suffer from reoccurring vaginal infections, which are not only painful but are also makes one uncomfortable. Infections in the vaginal area can be cured with the use of inner bark of slippery elm. However, pregnant women should not use this herb in any form.

Prevents Breast Cancer

It is no secret that breast cancer is a primary cause of morbidity, mortality and medical expenses among women. Luckily, slippery elm is now a go-to herb for many women suffering from breast cancer.  The inner bark of slippery elm, Ulmus fulva or U. rubra, has become one of the more popular herbal remedies for breast cancer treatment, secondary prevention, improving quality of life and controlling negative side effects of conventional breast cancer treatment.

While more studies need to be conducted, slippery elm, when combined with certain herbs such as burdock root, Indian rhubarb, and sheep sorrel, may improve conditions for women with breast cancer and improve depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Because it has immune-boosting benefits and anti-inflammatory effects, it may help relieve pain linked with breast cancer, and it’s most common to find slippery elm in herbal tea mixtures and herbal dietary supplements.

Other Health Benefits of Slippery Elm Bark

In addition to its other health benefits, slippery elm contains antioxidants, making it a great remedy for wounds, burns, boils, psoriasis and other external skin conditions. Like high-antioxidant foods, slippery elm can help relieve inflammatory bowel conditions, making it a great addition to any IBS diet.

It also may help protect against ulcers and excess acidity in the body because it causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract, and that reaction leads to increased mucus secretion.

How to Make Slippery Elm Tea

• Pour boiling water to a cup.
• Add 1 tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder and stir well.
• Then add 1 teaspoon of honey, coconut milk, or almond.
• Stir repeatedly.
• Top off with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Side Effects OF Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery elm dosage is usually dependent on weight. Herbal medicines can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements or medications.

Though slippery elm has no serious side effects, because it coats the digestive tract, it may slow down the absorption of other drugs or herbs. It may be best to take slippery elm two hours before or after other herbs or medications you may be taking.

Pregnant women should stay away from slippery elm in all its forms. Though slippery elm extracts can effectively relieve nose and throat congestion in children, the dosage should be strictly monitored to avoid adverse effects.

Like with other herbs, it is advisable to always check with a medical doctor before using Slippery elm.