SupplementTraditional useDigestion

Slippery elm

Traditional mucilage herb.

Why

Traditional mucilage herb. Coats the gut lining, useful for reflux, IBS-D, and inflammatory irritation. Limited RCT data but strong traditional use record.

How it works

Mucilage polysaccharides form a viscous coating on mucous membranes when hydrated, providing a mechanical barrier for irritated gastrointestinal tissue.

Safety

Mucilage may slow absorption of other oral medications. Separate by at least 2 hours. Avoid in pregnancy (theoretical concern; not well studied). Take with adequate fluids.

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Evidence

At a glance

Hawrelak & Myers 2010 J Altern Complement Med pilot trial: two slippery-elm-containing natural-medicine formulations improved bowel-habit measures in small samples of IBS-C and IBS-D patients. Trial base is thin and uncontrolled by modern standards; tradition-of-use record is strong but modern RCT evidence is limited.

Limitations

Evidence base is genuinely thin: one small pilot trial (Hawrelak & Myers 2010, IBS) and the NIH LiverTox safety monograph. No dosage or onset timeline carries clinical consensus. Traditional use only.

Where to get it

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