Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
Photo: Photo by and (c)2016 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ) · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Digestive
- 6 conditions
- Licensed photo
Overview
Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a large tree native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. The medicinal part is the inner bark, prized for its high mucilage content. When soaked in water, it turns “slippery”; this mucilage is traditionally used to soothe the throat and digestive tract, and MSK says slippery elm may help relieve minor cough or sore throat, but there is no evidence it can treat infections or other serious medical conditions.
Traditional uses & properties
Digestive (traditional use): The bark is traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders; MSK notes that in a small study a formula containing slippery elm improved symptoms of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Cough (traditional use): Traditionally used for coughs; MSK says the mucilage is thought to relieve coughs and throat irritation, but human data are lacking. Topical (traditional use): The bark is used for skin ulcers; MSK says the mucilage is thought to be soothing when applied to the skin, but human data are lacking.
Safety & precautions
Sustainability: Slippery elm is at risk from overharvesting; marshmallow root is a more sustainable alternative.
Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.
Drug interactions
Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.
Habitat
Slippery elm flourishes in the Appalachian Mountains and other high, dry soils. The inner bark is collected in spring from 10-year-old trees or older, then dried and powdered.
Sources
The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.
Traditionally used for
- Acidity5 herbs · 2 free
- Constipation13 herbs · 2 free
- Heartburn4 herbs · 2 free
- Hemorrhoids5 herbs · 2 free
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome11 herbs · 2 free
- Ulcers15 herbs · 2 free
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Frequently asked questions
What is Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) as follows: Digestive (traditional use): The bark is traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders; MSK notes that in a small study a formula containing slippery elm improved symptoms of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Cough (traditional use): Traditionally used for coughs; MSK says the mucilage is thought to relieve coughs and throat irritation, but human data are lacking. Topical (traditional use): The bark is used for skin ulcers; MSK says the mucilage is thought to be soothing when applied to the skin, but human data are lacking.
What safety cautions apply to Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)?
Sustainability: Slippery elm is at risk from overharvesting; marshmallow root is a more sustainable alternative.
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