Evidence supporting the use of: Slippery elm bark
For the body system: Small Intestines
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly by Native American tribes and later by Western herbalists. Traditionally, it is used for soothing the digestive tract, thanks to its high mucilage content, which forms a viscous gel when mixed with water. This mucilage is thought to coat the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, providing a protective barrier and reducing irritation. Most references to slippery elm's support for the small intestine specifically are extrapolations from its general gastrointestinal soothing effects, rather than targeted evidence for the small intestine alone.
There are a limited number of scientific studies on slippery elm, and most focus on its benefits for sore throats, coughs, and upper digestive complaints such as gastritis or heartburn. Some small studies and anecdotal reports indicate it may help with symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, which involve the lower gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine. However, rigorous clinical trials are lacking, and its use for small intestine health is not strongly supported by scientific evidence. Its continued use is primarily justified by tradition and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation.
Other ingredients that support Small Intestines
2'-Fucosyllactosealoe vera
alpha-galactosidase
amino acids
amylase
amylopectin
asparagus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bayberry
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
broccoli
rice
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
caprylic acid
carrot
chia seed
chicory
cinnamon
coating
colostrum
turmeric
endo-peptidase
exo-peptidase
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fungal protease
ginger
green banana
green tea
gurmar
cellulose
immunoglobin G
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
kale
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-glutamine
lactase
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lemon
lipase
magnesium
marshmallow
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
n-acetyl-glucosamine
okra
ox bile
pancreatin
parsley
pear
peptidase (DPPIV)
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytase
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
protease
protein
butyric acid
pumpkin
saccharomyces boulardii
sardines
slippery elm bark
soybean
spinach
starch
streptococcus thermophilus
sucrase
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tributyrin
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin D3
seaweed
water
watermelon
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
papaya
pterocarpus marsupium
lingzhi
yarrow
bile salt
sodium salt
dioscorea
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
chickpea protein
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
ashitaba
Aminopeptidase
Alchornea
Alpha-glycans
Alchemilla
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acemannan
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
Animal protein
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Bacillus indicus
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Brassica
Bran
Bael
Butternut
Bacillus licheniformis
Bile
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Bacillus
Buckwheat
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Centella triterpenes
Curry leaf
Cowpea
Cinnamomum
Carvacrol
Cape Aloe
Citrus
Cruciferous
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Corktree
Clostridium butyricum
Debaryomyces hansenii
Diamine Oxidase
Enterococcus
Egg
Eucheuma
Enzyme Blend
Egg protein
Fig
Goldthread
Galactosidase
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Soy Protein
Other body systems supported by slippery elm bark
BronchialsDigestive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Gums
Immune System
Intestinal System
Large Intestines (Colon)
Lungs
Mucus Membranes
Parotids (Salivary Glands)
Peyer’s patches
Rectum
Respiratory System
Skin
Small Intestines
Solar Plexus
Stomach
Structural System
Teeth
Tonsils
Urinary System
Vocal Cords
Products containing slippery elm bark
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Detox (Formerly All Cell Detox)
Nature's Sunshine CA (ATC)
Nature's Sunshine CC-A
Nature's Sunshine CC-A With Yerba Santa Combination Extract
Nature's Sunshine CLT-X
Nature's Sunshine E-Tea
Nature's Sunshine Everybody’s Fiber
Nature's Sunshine Focus Attention
Nature's Sunshine Gentle Move
Nature's Sunshine Herbal Pumpkin
Nature's Sunshine Intestinal Soothe and Build
Nature's Sunshine Joint Support
Nature's Sunshine LB Extract
Nature's Sunshine Marshmallow & Fenugreek
Nature's Sunshine Para-Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine PLS II
Nature's Sunshine Pro-Pancreas Formula
Nature's Sunshine Slippery Elm
Nature's Sunshine Slippery Elm
Nature's Sunshine Stomach Comfort (Chewable)
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse