BT-118 · Ulmaceae

Slippery elm

Ulmus rubra

Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safeOverharvested

The tree dies when its trunk bark is stripped; together with Dutch elm disease, this has reduced wild populations.

Other names: Red elm, Ulmus rubra
Part used: Inner bark
Region: North America
Use: Healing, Food

Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Slippery elm?

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a plant of the Ulmaceae family. Traditions that use it: North America. Part used: inner bark.

What is Slippery elm used for?

Traditional use: Many Indigenous peoples use the inner bark for sore throats, coughs, wounds and burns; in times of famine bark porridge was food. Scientific evidence: traditional. The inner bark is rich in mucilage that turns jelly-like in water and coats the throat and stomach.

Is Slippery elm safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe. The mucilage can delay absorption of medicines; take it an hour or two apart.

Traditional use

North America

Many Indigenous peoples use the inner bark for sore throats, coughs, wounds and burns; in times of famine bark porridge was food.

Today

Used in throat lozenges and stomach teas.

In nature

Where it grows: Forests of the eastern US and southern Canada.
Harvest season: Bark is peeled in spring when the sap runs.
Local names: No established Turkish name; kırmızı karaağaç, kaygan karaağaç

Mix-up risk

Commercial powders may contain other elm species.

Preparation

Inner bark powder is mixed with water into a paste or drunk.

What science says

The inner bark is rich in mucilage that turns jelly-like in water and coats the throat and stomach. The US FDA accepts slippery elm as an over-the-counter throat soother; other uses are little studied.

Safety

Generally safe

Generally safe. The mucilage can delay absorption of medicines; take it an hour or two apart.

Conservation

Note: A tree stripped of its bark dies; together with Dutch elm disease, this has reduced wild populations.
Alternative: Marshmallow root and mallow contain similar mucilage.