Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra)

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Other names for slippery elm bark

Red Elm
Slippery Elm Inner Bark
Elm Bark Powder

Synopsis of slippery elm bark

Slippery elm bark comes from the inner bark of the Ulmus rubra tree, a deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Known for its mucilaginous (gel-like) texture when mixed with water, slippery elm has long been valued for its soothing, demulcent, and anti-inflammatory properties. The inner bark contains large amounts of mucilage—a polysaccharide-rich substance that coats and protects mucous membranes throughout the digestive and respiratory systems.

It is primarily used to relieve irritation and inflammation in the throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. In herbal medicine, it is often recommended for acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers, sore throat, dry cough, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diarrhea. The bark forms a soothing film over inflamed tissues, offering both physical protection and gentle stimulation of healing.

Slippery elm is also used in herbal lozenges, teas, powders, and gruels for nutritional support during convalescence, as it is gentle on the stomach and can help sustain energy when appetite is low. Additionally, it may act as a mild bulk-forming laxative, aiding in constipation without irritating the gut.

Historical Use:
Slippery elm has been used medicinally for centuries by Indigenous tribes of North America. Native Americans used the inner bark as a poultice for wounds, boils, and burns, and made infusions or porridges for sore throats, digestive issues, and urinary tract irritation. It was considered both a medicine and a nutritive food during illness, often used when other foods could not be tolerated.

European settlers quickly adopted slippery elm into their herbal practices. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a staple in Eclectic medicine and was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia. It was often prescribed for gastritis, colitis, diarrhea, and convalescence from fevers or chronic illness. Slippery elm gruel—made by simmering the powdered bark in water—was given to infants, the elderly, and those with digestive distress as both a food and remedy.

During times of hardship and scarcity, such as the American Civil War, slippery elm served as a survival food, with its bark boiled into nourishing broths. The demulcent quality that protects internal mucous membranes was also used topically for skin conditions and wounds, sometimes combined with herbs like comfrey or calendula.

Slippery elm bark is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abrasions (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Asthma (Traditional)
Bladder (ulcerated) (Traditional)
Bladder Infection (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Colitis (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Duodenal Ulcers (Traditional)
Dysentery (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Eczema (Traditional)
Emphysema (Traditional)
Enteritis (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Giardia (Traditional)
Gingivitis (Traditional)
Glands (swollen lymph) (Traditional)
Halitosis (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hiatal Hernia (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Traditional)
Interstitial Cystitis (Traditional)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Traditional)
Itching (Traditional)
Itching (rectal) (Traditional)
Itching Ears (Traditional)
Kidney Infection (Traditional)
Laryngitis (Traditional)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Traditional)
Lesions (Traditional)
Leucorrhea (Traditional)
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen) (Traditional)
Overacidity (Traditional)
Parasites (general) (Traditional)
Pertussis (Traditional)
Pets (supplements for) (Traditional)
Pleurisy (Traditional)
Pneumonia (Traditional)
Poison Ivy or Oak (Traditional)
Poisoning (general) (Traditional)
Prolapsed Colon (Traditional)
Prolapsed Uterus (Traditional)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Traditional)
Scratches and Abrasions (Traditional)
Sinus Infection (Traditional)
Sore Throat (Traditional)
Ulcers (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)

slippery elm bark is used to support these body systems

Bronchials (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Gums (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Traditional)
Parotids (Salivary Glands) (Traditional)
Peyer’s patches (Traditional)
Rectum (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Small Intestines (Traditional)
Solar Plexus (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Structural System (Traditional)
Teeth (Traditional)
Tonsils (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
Vocal Cords (Traditional)