Synopsis

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

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American and early North American settlers, for soothing gastrointestinal discomfort. The inner bark of Slippery Elm contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that becomes slippery when mixed with water. Traditionally, this mucilage has been used to coat and soothe irritated mucous membranes of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Historical records and herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries cite the use of Slippery Elm gruel or tea for ulcers, gastritis, and other inflammatory conditions of the GI tract, including duodenal ulcers. However, scientific evidence directly supporting the effectiveness of Slippery Elm for duodenal ulcers is limited. Some in vitro studies suggest the mucilage can form a protective barrier over mucous membranes, which could theoretically shield ulcerated tissue from acid and promote healing. There are also a few small, uncontrolled human studies and case reports suggesting symptom relief in patients with gastritis or peptic ulcers, but no large-scale, randomized controlled trials exist to confirm efficacy or safety for this indication. Modern herbalist use is still based primarily on traditional knowledge rather than robust clinical data. Thus, while Slippery Elm is widely used in traditional medicine for duodenal ulcers, its scientific validation for this specific purpose remains minimal.

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