Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery Elm
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine, particularly among Indigenous peoples and later in Western herbal traditions. The inner bark of Slippery Elm contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that expands when mixed with water. This mucilage is believed to soothe the gastrointestinal tract and act as a gentle bulk-forming laxative. Traditional herbalists have used Slippery Elm to support digestive health, including the management of constipation, especially in children due to its mild and soothing properties. However, there is a lack of robust scientific studies or clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for treating constipation in children. Most available evidence remains anecdotal or derived from historical texts. While the mucilage may theoretically ease the passage of stool and reduce discomfort, no authoritative medical guidelines endorse its use for pediatric constipation. Therefore, while its use is primarily justified by tradition, and it is considered safe when used appropriately, the quality of evidence is low, and further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness for this indication.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)
2'-Fucosyllactosealoe vera
apple
apricot
bacillus coagulans
bamboo
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
blueberry
bасора
carrot
chamomile
chicory
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
grape
green banana
guar gum
cellulose
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
mannitol
moringa
nettle
orange
pear
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watermelon
squawvine
cascara sagrada
tangerine
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
blackboard tree
root tuber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
polyphenols
senna
peach
indigo leaves
soursop
Agar
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Amomum
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Bitter Grass
Bael
Butternut
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cascaroside
Cactus
Cynomorium
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cyclanthera pedata
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthrone
Date
Eclipta
Fig
Fiber
Galangal
Phosphate Salt
Rhubarb
Wheat
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Slippery Elm
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Appetite (deficient)
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Emphysema
Enteritis
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leucorrhea
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis