Description
Slippery Elm is also known by the names Red Elm, Moose Elm and Indian Elm.
It may help to relieve occasional digestive discomfort and provides mucilage, which may soothe the throat and digestive tract.
Mucilage is an easily digestible long chain of sugars (polysaccharides) that make a slippery substance when combined with water.
Historically, early American settlers used it as a survival food; George Washington and his troops survived for several days on slippery elm gruel during the bitter winter at Valley Forge.
It may also be used externally as a poultice for the skin.
The major use of Slippery Elm is as a demulcent and emollient, helping to heal irritated and inflamed surfaces of digestive and stomach membranes. It also helps in normalising elimination, hence used for both diarrhoea and constipation.
The herb is also used extensively as a nutrient in convalescence.
Part of the herb used is the Inner Bark.
It may help to relieve occasional digestive discomfort and provides mucilage, which may soothe the throat and digestive tract.
Mucilage is an easily digestible long chain of sugars (polysaccharides) that make a slippery substance when combined with water.
Historically, early American settlers used it as a survival food; George Washington and his troops survived for several days on slippery elm gruel during the bitter winter at Valley Forge.
It may also be used externally as a poultice for the skin.
The major use of Slippery Elm is as a demulcent and emollient, helping to heal irritated and inflamed surfaces of digestive and stomach membranes. It also helps in normalising elimination, hence used for both diarrhoea and constipation.
The herb is also used extensively as a nutrient in convalescence.
Part of the herb used is the Inner Bark.