Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery Elm
For the body system: Gums

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and later adopted by Western herbalists. Its inner bark is rich in mucilage, a gelatinous substance that becomes slick when mixed with water. Traditionally, this mucilage has been used topically and internally to soothe inflamed mucous membranes, including those in the mouth and throat. For gum health specifically, slippery elm was used in poultices or chewed to relieve irritation, soreness, and minor inflammation of the gums. The demulcent effect is thought to provide a protective layer over mucous membranes, offering symptomatic relief from discomfort.

However, direct modern scientific studies focusing on slippery elm for gum health are scarce. Most contemporary references to its benefit for oral health are grounded in historical use rather than clinical trials. Some in vitro studies have demonstrated its soothing effects on mucosal tissues, but robust clinical evidence is lacking. Thus, its use for supporting gum health is primarily justified by traditional knowledge rather than rigorous scientific validation.

More about Slippery Elm
More about Gums

Other ingredients that support Gums

Acacia
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Alchemilla
Alkanna
Allicin
Allspice
Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
Areca
Ascophyllum nodosum
asiaticoside
aucubin
avens
Baccharis dracunculifolia
bai ji
balsam
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
benzoin
berry
betel
betony
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bistort
blackberry
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boswellia
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
Calendula
Calycophyllum
canaigre
capsicum
cardamom
carvacrol
Casearia sylvestris
catechins
catechu
cayenne pepper
cinquefoil
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coca
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
Collinsonia
comfrey
commiphora
cranesbill
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cutch
Cyanthillium cinereum
dragon\'s blood
Drynaria
Echinacea
emblicanin
eugenol
European five-finger grass
fiber
flavanones
flavans
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fleabane
fluoride
fluorine
frankincense
fructoborate
Gambir
garlic
Glechoma hederacea
goldenseal
goldenseal
goldthread
gooseberry
Guava
heal-all
Heliopsis
henna
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperidin
honey
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
Jaboticaba
Kigelia africana
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lady's Mantle
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
leucoanthocyanidins
licorice root
lime
lingonberry
lodhtree
lysozyme
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
mango
manzanita
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Massularia acuminata
Mastic gum
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Menthol oil
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Mucilage
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Nasturtium
Neem tree
New Jersey Tea
Nimbidin
Oak
Oleuropein
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
Orris
Pacific madrone
pagoda tree
Pedra hume
Pellitory
Persimmon
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
pine bark
Plantago
plantain
polyphenols
Potentilla
prickly ash
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
Propolis
Pterocarpus marsupium
Pterospermum
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
raspberry
Rhus coraria
Rhus coriaria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rose hips
Rubus
sage
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Self-Heal
shepherd's purse
Silverweed
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smoketree
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptococcus oralis
Streptococcus salivarius
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terminalia
Thymol
Toothache Plant
Tridax
Triphala
turmeric
Ulmus
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin K
Water Pepper
White oak
White Tea
white willow
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zinc

Products containing Slippery Elm

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.