Remedies Using Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery elm bark or ulmus fulva contains a high amount of mucilage or a thick, sticky, gelatinous and gum-like substance. What's good about mucilage is that it provides a demulcent or soothing effect. When taken orally, it covers the mucous membranes or lining of internal body tissues.

This is one of the reasons why slippery elm is used as an herbal remedy for acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease or better known as GERD. The mucilage will form a film over the esophagus and prevent it from becoming inflamed and irritated.

If the lining is already inflamed, the mucilage will help soothe and heal it. This is why slippery elm is an effective home remedy for cough, laryngitis, pleurisy and sore throats.

Slippery elm may also treat inflammatory bowel diseases or IBD such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases affect the colon and small intestines. Slippery elm is also used as a natural and herbal remedy for gastritis, diarrhea, dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome and peptic and duodenal ulcers.

Slippery elm also produces and emollient effect. It has the ability to soften, moisturize and soothe the skin. Applying the red elm bark extract topically on boils, itchy skin, minor burns, mouth ulcers, scrapes and cuts may provide relief. It has also been tested and shown positive effects in treating psoriasis.

Slippery elm has shown to behave like a mucolytic agent and produces an expectorant effect. It has the ability to dissolve thick mucus. It helps relieve respiratory and bronchial problems.

Other benefits of slippery elm include its potential in supporting liver health, ease constipation and in getting rid of intestinal worms. It is also used as a toothache remedy and in treating varicose veins. Besides all these, slippery elm is also used as a remedy to treat typhoid fever.

Slippery elm supplements are available in the form of capsules, liquid extract, herbal tea and powder. Drinking a cup of warm slippery elm bark tea is one of the ways to quickly soothe an internal irritation or inflammation. Sucking slippery elm lozenges would help ease a sore throat.

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