Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery elm bark
For the health condition: Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra) has been traditionally used in North American herbal medicine, particularly by Indigenous peoples, for soothing the digestive tract and alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort. Its mucilaginous (gel-forming) properties are thought to coat and protect irritated mucous membranes, which is why it has been used historically for conditions such as gastritis, heartburn, and symptoms associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Scientific research on slippery elm’s efficacy specifically for IBD is limited. A handful of small, preliminary studies and case reports suggest that slippery elm may help relieve some symptoms like constipation, abdominal pain, and inflammation due to its demulcent and possibly antioxidant effects. For example, a 2002 pilot study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that slippery elm, when combined with other herbal remedies, improved bowel symptoms and reduced inflammation markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—though this is not the same as IBD. Overall, while there is a strong tradition of use and plausible mechanisms of action, there is a lack of robust clinical trials to scientifically validate its effectiveness for IBD. Current evidence is largely anecdotal or based on historical usage rather than high-quality, controlled research.

More about slippery elm bark
More about Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Other ingredients used for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

2'-Fucosyllactose
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Acemannan
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Aloe vera
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
apigenin
apocynin
arabinoxylan
arctiin
astragalin
avocado
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
barberry
barley
Basidiomycota
bentonite
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bioflavonoids
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Brassica
butternut
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cannabidiol
casticin
cat's claw
celandine
chamomile
chirata
cichoric acid
citrus pectin
Coptis chinensis
cruciferous
curcumin
dandelion
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
ellagitannin
Enterococcus
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fiber
fish oil
flavans
flaxseed
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucoidan
galactooligosaccharides
Glucosinolates
Glutathione
Glycomacropeptides
Glycosphingolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Humic acid
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kaempferol
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Legume protein
licorice root
luteolin
Marshmallow
Myrosinase
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl-glucosamine
Neoandrographolides
nicotinamide riboside
Oligosaccharides
omega-3 fatty acids
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
phlorotannins
Piperine
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
proanthocyanidins
probiotics
procyanidin
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
psyllium
punarnava
punicalagins
reishi mushroom
rosmarinic acid
Rubia cordifolia
Saccharomyces boulardii
shiitake mushroom
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sulforaphane
Swertia
Taraxasterol
Trametes
tributyrin
Tumerone
turmeric
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Xylanase
xylooligosaccharides
Zinc