Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery elm bark
For the health condition: Pleurisy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra) has a long-standing history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and in North American folk medicine. It has been utilized for its mucilaginous (gel-like) properties to soothe irritated mucous membranes of the throat, respiratory tract, and digestive system. Pleurisy, which is inflammation of the pleura (the lining around the lungs), often presents with chest pain, cough, and irritation. Traditionally, slippery elm was used as a demulcent to help relieve coughs, sore throats, and lung irritation, conditions that overlap symptomatically with pleurisy. Herbalists historically recommended slippery elm bark tea or lozenges to coat the throat and possibly alleviate discomfort associated with respiratory inflammation.

However, scientific evidence for slippery elm bark's effectiveness specifically in pleurisy is lacking. There are no clinical trials or rigorous studies directly evaluating its impact on pleurisy or pleural inflammation. The rationale for its use in pleurisy is extrapolated from its general soothing actions on mucous membranes and traditional reports, rather than direct evidence of anti-inflammatory or therapeutic effects on the pleura itself. While the bark’s mucilage can provide symptomatic relief for throat irritation and cough, there is no substantiated scientific proof that it alters the course of pleurisy. Therefore, its use for pleurisy is justified primarily by tradition, with only low-level evidence (anecdotal and historical) supporting its application in this context.

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