Slippery elm, also known as Ulmus fulfa, has been used as an herb in North America for hundreds of years. Slippery elm was used by the Native Americans for a variety of reasons, mainly to heal boils, ulcers, burns, wounds, and to help treat skin inflammation. Specifically, the Cherokee used slippery elm for skin conditions, eye wash, and coughs.

Slippery elm is one of the four herbs that is included in essiac, a popular therapy designed for cancer treatment. Developed in the 1930s by a Canadian nurse, the therapy also includes burdock root, rhubarb, red clover, blessed thistle, among other herbs.   However, no scientific evidence exists that shows that any of these work as a cancer treatment.

The FDA has recognized the herb slippery elm as an effective and safe viable option to help treat sore throat and respiratory symptoms, like coughing.  While the FDA doesn’t recognize the herbs ability to treat cuts, wounds, and certain skin conditions like diaper rash, herbalists insist that slippery elm does in fact have these traits.

Slippery elm is considered a nutritional food that is wholesome, very much like oatmeal in texture and characteristics.  It can be prepared as a porridge and when consumed a few times a day, it can be a good source of nutrients.

Best of all, many people can supplement with the herb because it is “gentle” and easily digested.  It’s well tolerated by people that have gastritis and other types of intestinal problems.

Slippery elm is also considered a wholesome nutritional food, similar in texture to oatmeal and can be prepared as a porridge. Consumed three times per day, unsweetened “elm food” may be a good source of nutrients. Because it is gentle and easily digested, it is well tolerated by people with gastritis and other forms of intestinal problems.