Slippery Elm Bark

The inner bark of the tree, Ulnus umbra.  The bark was used by Native Americans and early European settlers to the US as a laxative, antiseptic, analgesic and emollient.  It’s high in mucilage, a sticky, gelatinous substance containing polysaccharides and glycoproteins that coat and sooth irritated tissues.  This property of Slippery Elm accounts for its medicinal uses as a treatment for sore throats, colitis and wounds.  It also contains oligomeric procyanidins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Slippery Elm bark powder or extracts are sold as standalone supplements, or as ingredients in “cleansing”/”detox” supps.  It’s also a component of the unproven alternative cancer “cures” Essiac and FlorEssence.