Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery elm bark
For the health condition: Glands (swollen lymph)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of use in North American traditional herbal medicine, primarily among Indigenous peoples and later among European settlers. Its main uses have centered on soothing sore throats, coughs, digestive complaints, and minor wounds, owing to its high mucilage content, which forms a slippery, soothing gel when mixed with water. In traditional herbal texts, slippery elm has sometimes been employed to "draw out" irritants and reduce inflammation, which may have led to its occasional use for "swollen glands"—a term often referring to enlarged lymph nodes due to infection or inflammation. However, this use is rooted more in folk tradition than in systematic evidence or clinical validation. There is no robust scientific research demonstrating that slippery elm bark has a direct effect on lymphatic tissue, immune modulation, or the reduction of swollen lymph nodes. Its primary actions—demulcent and soothing effects—are better suited to mucosal irritation than to lymphatic disorders. Thus, while slippery elm bark may be cited in some traditional sources for general "glandular" support or as part of poultices applied externally, the evidence supporting its effectiveness for this specific use is scant and primarily anecdotal. No clinical trials or pharmacological studies substantiate its benefit for swollen lymph nodes, and its inclusion for this purpose in modern herbal practice is uncommon and not evidence-based.

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