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How to use the herb slippery elm for quick, soothing relief from a variety of gastrointestinal complaints such as pain and bloating.
This time of year, tummy aches and stomach bugs seem to run rampant through any group of people where kids are involved! This is a prime situation to make full use of the many benefits of slippery elm.
When someone in my family has a stomach ache or is experiencing any sort of digestive distress (from perhaps eating out or too many sweets at a party), slippery elm is by far my favorite astringent medicinal herb (besides bitters) to use as a soothing tonic.
Slippery elm is an herb native to North America and is derived from the inner bark of the elm tree. It has long been used by traditional cultures in the New World for a variety of ailments, but its use as a digestive aid is probably the most popular.
The benefits of slippery elm for soothing the entire digestive tract are many as it forms a soothing film over any mucous membrane it comes into contact with.
Not that this matters much (to me at least), but the FDA has even approved slippery elm as a safe, demulcent substance, which means that it relieves minor pain and inflammation in mucous membranes such as what lines the digestive system. (1)
The ability to temporarily reduce inflammation and pain makes the benefits of slippery elm especially helpful for conditions such as IBS and colitis. It can also soften and add bulk to stools, so it is useful for both diarrhea and constipation issues.
Its soothing/coating qualities protect the throat and so can be helpful for persistent reflux problems as well. Even folks with ulcers and gastritis can enjoy the benefits of slippery elm.
Benefits of Slippery Elm
I have found that the most effective way to utilize the benefits of slippery elm is as a tincture. You can make the herbal tincture yourself or purchase it locally and online. Alternatively, the herb is available in pill or powder form.
Used as a tincture, it easily coats all mucous membranes from the mouth right through to the rectum as it passes through the body.
It is slightly sweet, so taking it with a swallow or two of water tastes great!
This is a good remedy to take with you when you travel.
It keeps tummy aches at bay from the anxiety that can occur from a disrupted routine and mitigates intestinal problems when the quality of the food is lower than what you would enjoy at home.
Dosage
My kids ask for it anytime they feel the need. It can safely be used up to 3 times per day. Use 28-56 drops in some water each time is what my bottle says. Always follow the directions on whatever brand you buy, of course.
Truthfully, I’ve found that you don’t need anywhere near 28-36 drops per dose. I give myself or my family maybe 10-15 drops in an ounce or so of water and that typically works fine the very first time.  I occasionally need to give another dose a few hours later, but most of the time, one dose works wonders!
How to Choose a Brand
The next time you are at the health food store, pick up a bottle of Slippery Elm tincture (this brand suggested) that is vetted as sustainably grown and harvested.
Keep it in your wellness cabinet with your other herbs and whole food supplements.
Contraindications
Please note that the slippery elm benefits cannot be enjoyed during pregnancy. It has the potential to dilate the cervix and/or stimulate uterine contractions.
Check with your practitioner before using it during breastfeeding. In some situations, it can be used safely.
References
(1) Ulmus rubra
(2) The Long, Hollow Tube: A Primer on the Digestive System
More Information
Rice Water as Gastrointestinal Remedy
The Best Herb for Candida Overgrowth
Best 3 Fertility Herbs
Food Poisoning Remedies
Safe, Nontoxic Gas Remedy for Babies
Are You a Tummy Bug Magnet?
Hmm…maybe I’ll have to pick this up! Thankfully I don’t get as many stomachaches as I used to, but when we travel I’m always wary of tummy woes for me or my little one; this would be great! Thanks for all the helpful tips as always!
Just bought some slippery elm bark powder from the local co-op. Plan on putting a tablespoon in my smoothies.
Glad to have this information and would love to see more posts like it! I learn so much from your blog. Thank you, Sarah!!!
Hi Martha, thanks for the suggestion. I will very much try to do more posts on herbs. I really should do more on them shouldn’t I? 🙂
We discovered this last week when we had stomach flu. Although the most helpful thing for my husband has been reducing the mucus in his throat (cutting dairy and grains and going on GAPS isn’t hurting, either). He keeps losenges with him and just sucks on one every few hours.
Great! thanks for that info.
Thank you, Sarah, this in really good to know. I really appreciate your giving us the method to use this remedy, as well as describing it.
Any input on how (or whether) Slippery Elm would work on reflux problems? I’m trying REALLY HARD to get off my reflux medication. I’ve been using digestive enzymes (Houstons) and Bio-Kult to try and help get things working properly again, but I’m still having really severe reflux at least once a week. Think this might help?
Hi Jennifer, Slippery Elm will sooth the burning of the throat/esophagus greatlly but will not help solve the problem. A tsp of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of filtered water after meals has helped a number of folks I know with reflux. Ultimately, diet change is what fixes the problem. My husband had severe reflux many years ago and hasn’t had issues in a very very long time. He ate tons of raw cream and severely limited grains/starches to heal.
Thanks Sarah. I eat 98% WAP, but I didn’t know about the limiting starches and grains. I’ll definitely look into that. And I have been doing raw cream, but not a lot – less than a quart per week. Did he just drink it, or did he eat it with other things?
Hi Jennifer, his thing with the raw cream was a sliced banana, a bit of raw honey, and a big scoop of raw cream in a bowl. He also made homemade ice cream and made milkshakes with it.
Oh, and I have a video on how to make the raw ice cream. Click on the “Videos” tab at the top of the blog.
what a timely post Sarah!
my daughter has been complaining about stomach ache for 2 days now (usually comes on at night) and I did not know what to do. I have organic tummy chewing tablets with slippery elm, but it has lots of other herbs so I guess it does not have a sufficient dose. I will get the drops for sure.
Cool! So slippery elm works for all the “pets” in one’s household .. furry or otherwise! 🙂
We love slippery elm in our family. We are currently using it for our dog’s digestive issues, leaky gut, which is the reason main reason for her respiratory problems.
Neat! That’s good to know. Our dog had lots of tummy trouble as a puppy, but seems to be over it now. But I will for sure try this next time before taking him to the vet. Thanks!