Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery Elm
For the body system: Mucus Membranes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine, especially among Indigenous peoples and early settlers. It is primarily used to support the mucus membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts. The inner bark of Slippery Elm contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that becomes slippery when mixed with water. This mucilage is believed to coat and soothe irritated mucous membranes, providing relief from sore throats, coughs, and gastrointestinal discomfort such as heartburn, gastritis, or mild inflammatory bowel symptoms. The use of Slippery Elm for these purposes has been documented in traditional herbal texts and remains common in modern herbal practice. Scientific research on Slippery Elm is limited, with only a few small studies or in vitro experiments suggesting a demulcent (soothing) effect on mucosal tissues. While these studies offer some support, the evidence is not robust or extensive enough to confirm efficacy by contemporary clinical standards. Most current recommendations for Slippery Elm are thus based on its long-standing traditional use rather than strong scientific validation. Regulatory bodies such as Health Canada and the U.S. FDA generally recognize Slippery Elm as safe when used appropriately, but they do not endorse specific medical claims due to the lack of large-scale clinical trials. In summary, Slippery Elm is used to support mucus membranes primarily based on tradition, with moderate evidence from historical use and limited scientific support.

More about Slippery Elm
More about Mucus Membranes

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Products containing Slippery Elm

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