Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in North America, where indigenous peoples utilized its inner bark for a variety of ailments, including skin conditions associated with itching. The mucilage content in slippery elm is thought to have soothing and demulcent effects, which may help calm minor skin irritations and itching when applied topically or ingested to soothe throat and digestive tract irritations that sometimes manifest with itching as a secondary symptom (such as in allergic reactions).

However, while traditional use is well-documented, there is a lack of robust scientific studies specifically investigating slippery elm's effectiveness for treating itching (pruritus) in humans. Most available evidence is anecdotal or based on historical texts and ethnobotanical sources. Some herbalists may recommend it for skin health or as part of remedies for eczema or psoriasis, conditions that often involve itching, but this is not based on clinical trials. Overall, its reputation for supporting itching relief is rooted in tradition rather than scientific validation, and the quality of evidence supporting its use for this specific indication is low.

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