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Herbs & Supplements
Ulmus fulva
Scientific Name: Slippery elm
Other Names: American Elm, Elm, Indian Elm, Japanese Elm, Moose Elm, Red Elm, Sweet Elm, Ulmus rubra, Winged Elm
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Uses
All species of elm contain varying amounts of mucilage, a substance that swells up and becomes slippery, but does not dissolve when mixed with fluids. One kind, slippery elm, generally has more mucilage than other elms. Taking mucilage may help to relieve coughs and other symptoms that are associated with respiratory conditions such as bronchitis. Mucilage may also make slippery elm useful for treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions because it coats the mouth, esophagus, and GI tract with a slick residue. Therefore, it may soothe a sore throat, help to alleviate the pain of colic or stomach ulcers, and relieve inflammatory bowel conditions. Additionally, slippery elm may promote the production of GI mucus, further protecting the linings of the stomach and intestines. Additionally, results from a recent laboratory study suggest that slippery elm contains antioxidants that may reduce intestinal inflammation. Antioxidants are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. Oxidation produces oxygen free radicals, natural chemicals that may suppress immune function. No human studies have been conducted to confirm any of these traditional uses of slippery elm, however.
Slippery elm may also be used to treat constipation. In the GI tract, the mucilage in slippery elm absorbs water. However, because the body cannot digest mucilage, the soft mass that it forms moves through the intestines. Additionally, it may prompt muscles in the intestines to contract. Both effects may help to relieve constipation, but they have not been proved in human studies.
Topically, slippery elm may be applied to the skin surface to relieve minor injuries such as burns, cold sores, razor burn, scrapes, and sunburn. Typically applied as a poultice--a soft cloth soaked in a medication and applied to an injured area of skin--slippery elm has also been made into salves by mixing it with an oily ointment base.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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