Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery Elm
For the health condition: Emphysema

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American and early North American herbalists, primarily as a demulcent for sore throats, coughs, and digestive complaints. The inner bark of slippery elm is rich in mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats and soothes irritated mucous membranes. While there is anecdotal and traditional support for its use in conditions involving respiratory irritation—such as coughs and bronchitis—there is no specific historical or scientific evidence supporting its use for emphysema in particular. Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by damage to the alveoli in the lungs, and there is no clinical trial or robust scientific study demonstrating that slippery elm can improve lung function, halt progression, or directly address the pathophysiology of emphysema. However, slippery elm may provide some symptomatic relief for throat discomfort or coughing, which can be secondary symptoms in emphysema patients. Overall, the use of slippery elm for emphysema is primarily rooted in traditional herbal practices aimed at soothing mucous membranes rather than treating the underlying disease, and scientific validation for this specific use is lacking.

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