Why Slippery Elm Should Be Part of your Herbal Remedy Routine

While Slippery Elm has many benefits, let’s talk about what it is exactly. Slippery Elm Bark is derived from the Slippery Elm tree native to North America and can be found within the Appalachian Mountains. Its bark is brown, sometimes with a reddish tinge, and can grow as tall as 80 feet. When the tree has reached a minimum age of 10, its branches or twigs are stripped of its bark, the inner red bark feels slippery making it easy to chew. Native American’s originally used Slippery Elm in salves for healing and taken orally for many stomach issues. It’s been told that soldiers learned how to make the salve and used it to treat war wounds.

Gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn’s disease and IBS or diarrhea

When mixed with water, the inner bark’s gluey substance takes on a gel form which causes a soothing feeling when applied or ingested. When ingested, it coats the digestive tract while allowing its natural antioxidants to help relieve inflammation.

Sore throat and coughs

It’s common to find Slippery Elm in a lot of retail throat lozenges. This is because of its mucilage, a gel-like substance that the human body cannot break down. As a natural demulcent, this substance has the ability to coat and soothe the throat. According to, “In the 1960s, the Food and Drug Administration classified slippery elm as a botanical drug. It is believed safe for the treatment of minor sore throat pain.” The most popular form of Slippery Elm comes in tablets and capsule form however it can also be found in a fine powder and lozenges.

Wounds, burns, and several other skin conditions

Slippery Elm, when mixed with water, can make a great salve or poultice. It’s known to not only soothe the area but also draw out toxins in infections such as abscesses or boils. Slippery Elm is also known to soothe external injuries such as burns and can even assist with the removal of splinters.

There is little research and studies done on the tree itself and its benefits.

In some areas, this tree has actually been put on the “vulnerable species list.” Due to the low commercial value, replanting this tree is a low priority.

The tree is vulnerable to a disease called “Dutch Elm Disease” leaving few remaining trees left in the wild