Slippery Elm Herb Monograph

Slippery Elm Herb Monograph

Author: Krista Morton-Kill

Name, common, and scientific plant family: 

• Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)
• Ulmaceae family

Common name: red elm

Descriptive Characteristics (including Part of     the Plant used and description):  

• Stem: slow growing, reddish brown bark
• Leaves: 4-8 niches long, 2-4 inches in width, usually serrated and yellow in autumn 

• Flowers: bloom before the leaves, they grow in clusters 
• Fruit: yellow fruit
• Taste: mucilaginous

Odor: strong, much like fenugreek (Peterson, 2023, p. 214).

Chemical Constituents: most important compounds. 

• Uronic acid
• Methyl Pentose
• Pentose
• Hexose (Peterson, 2023, p.215). 

Therapeutic Actions ( demulcent, diuretic, ect.). 

•  anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, and tonic.

Potential Herb-Drug Interactions and Contraindications. 

There have been no contraindications for slippery elm studied at this time. It is considered a safety class 1 herb, and a class A for interactions (Peterson, 2023, p.220).

Dosing and commonly used formulas:  

Use up to 3-4 times daily for adults: 

• Decoction: 4-6 tbsp
• Gruel: 6-8 tbsp
• Infusion: 8-10 tbsp
• Powder: 1 tsp
• Tincture: 2-5 ml

FORMULAS

Slippery Elm for Diarrhea and Dysentery

• Mix 1 tablespoon of powdered slippery elm bark with 1⁄2 cup pineapple juice. 
• Use two to four tablespoons frequently (for adults).

Research summaries or studies: 

Hawrelak, Jason & Myers, Stephen. (2010). Effects of Two Natural Medicine Formulations on 

     Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: A Pilot Study. Journal of alternative and 

     complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 16. 1065-71. 10.1089/acm.2009.0090. 

Peterson, C. T., Sharma, V., Uchitel, S., Denniston, K., Chopra, D., Mills, P. J., & Peterson, S. N. 

     (2018). Prebiotic Potential of Herbal Medicines Used in Digestive Health and Disease. 

     Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(7), 656–665. 

     https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0422

Ried, K., Travica, N., Dorairaj, R., Sali, A., Herbal formula improves upper and 

     lower gastrointestinal symptoms and gut health in Australian adults with digestive disorders, Nutrition

     Research, Volume 76, 2020, Pages 37-51, ISSN 0271-5317,

     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.008.

Who might benefit from this herb and what type of conditions it will be useful for?

     While slippery elm is thought to be the most versatile and valuable of the demulcent herbs, there are two main systemic focuses on the medical use of slippery elm. These are the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal system. Because of its mucilaginous properties, the texture of slippery elm is quite thick and creates a mucus-like gel that coats the lining of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. It is rather soothing in its nature, and has multi-faceted benefits. Let’s begin with symptoms and conditions of the respiratory system. For those who may suffer with asthma, acute cases of bronchitis, pneumonia, or other respiratory type infections, slippery elm offers soothing, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antioxidant properties (Peterson, 2023, p.216). This may soothe the lungs or bronchial tissues in someone who may be struggling with respiratory irritations.  

     For individuals who may be struggling with gastrointestinal based issues, such as diarrhea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, or other gastrointestinal based conditions, slippery elm offers these same qualities to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the mucilaginous gel, that is characteristic to demulcent herbs. Slippery elm, especially in tandem with other synergistic herbs, has been studied and shown to have massive influence in the improvement of constipation, as well as diarrhea (Ried et al., 2020).

References

Hawrelak, Jason & Myers, Stephen. (2010). Effects of Two Natural Medicine Formulations on 

     Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: A Pilot Study. Journal of alternative and 

     complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 16. 1065-71. 10.1089/acm.2009.0090. 

Peterson, C. T., Sharma, V., Uchitel, S., Denniston, K., Chopra, D., Mills, P. J., & Peterson, S. N. 

     (2018). Prebiotic Potential of Herbal Medicines Used in Digestive Health and Disease. 

     Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(7), 656–665. 

     https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0422

Ried, K., Travica, N., Dorairaj, R., Sali, A., (2020), Herbal formula improves upper and 

     lower gastrointestinal symptoms and gut health in Australian adults with digestive disorders, Nutrition

     Research, Volume 76, 2020, Pages 37-51, ISSN 0271-5317,

     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.008.