Synopsis

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

Ulmus species, particularly Ulmus rubra (slippery elm), have a long history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine for the treatment of cough and sore throat. The inner bark of slippery elm contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that becomes slippery when mixed with water. This mucilage is believed to coat the throat and soothe irritation, thereby reducing cough reflex and discomfort. Native American populations used slippery elm as a remedy for cough and other respiratory complaints, and early European settlers adopted this practice. The U.S. Pharmacopoeia listed slippery elm as a demulcent for decades.

Despite its historical use, modern scientific evidence for the efficacy of Ulmus in treating cough is limited. Most support comes from anecdotal reports and traditional herbal medicine texts. There are few, if any, well-designed clinical trials assessing its effectiveness specifically for cough, though its demulcent action is theoretically plausible and accepted in phytotherapy. The FDA currently recognizes slippery elm as a safe herbal supplement but does not endorse its efficacy for cough due to insufficient clinical data. In summary, Ulmus (primarily slippery elm) is traditionally used for cough, but robust scientific validation is lacking.

More about Ulmus (unspecified)
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Other ingredients used for Cough (general)

Other health conditions supported by Ulmus (unspecified)

Products containing Ulmus (unspecified)