Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery Elm
For the health condition: Itching
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 in North America, where indigenous peoples utilized its inner bark for a variety of ailments, including skin conditions associated with itching. The mucilage content in slippery elm is thought to have soothing and demulcent effects, which may help calm minor skin irritations and itching when applied topically or ingested to soothe throat and digestive tract irritations that sometimes manifest with itching as a secondary symptom (such as in allergic reactions).
However, while traditional use is well-documented, there is a lack of robust scientific studies specifically investigating slippery elm's effectiveness for treating itching (pruritus) in humans. Most available evidence is anecdotal or based on historical texts and ethnobotanical sources. Some herbalists may recommend it for skin health or as part of remedies for eczema or psoriasis, conditions that often involve itching, but this is not based on clinical trials. Overall, its reputation for supporting itching relief is rooted in tradition rather than scientific validation, and the quality of evidence supporting its use for this specific indication is low.
Other ingredients used for Itching
AbrusAgrimony
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
apple cider vinegar
Arani
argan nut oil
Arisaema
Asam gelugor
Asarum sieboldii
avens
babchi
Baliospermum
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
bentonite
betel
black nightshade
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
calamus
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
camphor oil
carry me seed
Carthamus
castor oil
catechu
cedar
chamomile
chickweed
cinquefoil
citronella
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cocoa butter
coconut oil
colloid
copaiba oil
cornflower
Cyanthillium cinereum
Davilla rugosa
dendramine
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
Dwarf Nettle
elephant\'s head
emu oil
Erodium cicutarium
eugenol
Euphorbia
European Elder
fang-feng
ferula assafoetida
fleabane
Flueggea suffruticosa
fringed pink
Gardenia jasminoides
geranium
giant blazingstar
golden shower tree
henna
Homalomena
honey loquat syrup
Houttuynia
Hydrocolloid
Indian nightshade
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
labrador tea
Lantana camara
Ledebouriella
Leptospermum scoparium
Lesser speargrass
lichen
licorice root
Lophira lanceolata
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Marking Nut Tree
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Myrobalan
Oak
Onosma bracteatum
oriental arborvitae
pagoda tree
Pellitory
Pepper Bark Tree
Peppermint
Plectranthus amboinicus
Plumbago zeylanica
Polygonum
Potentilla
Pulsatilla
Quisqualis
Rhus glabra
Rubus
rue
Sabadilla
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sandy Everlasting
Sanguisorba
Sapindus mukorossi
Scabrous Gentian
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Semiaquilegia
Sensitive Plant
sheep's sorrel
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Storax
Sumac
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweetgums
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
turmeric
typhonium
Vervain
vitamin D
vitamin E
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Winter Savory
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
Yarrow
Zinc
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
