Slippery Elm (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:grey elm, Indian elm, more...moose elm, red elm, sweet elm, ulmus fulva, winged elm

Suggested Dosing

Powdered Inner Bark (1:8 decoction)

4-16 ml PO TID

Powdered Inner Bark ( nutritional supplement)

4 g/500 ml water PO TID

Liquid Extract

5 ml PO TID; 1:1 in 60% alcohol

Poultice

Apply topically; mix course powdered inner bark with boiling water

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Suggested Uses

Oral

Colitis/diverticulitis, constipation, cough, cystitis, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, skin wounds/inflammation (topical), sore throat, ulcer prevention, urinary tract infections

Topical

Wounds, burns, gout, rheumatism, cold sores, boils, abscesses, ulcers, toothaches, sore throat, and as a lubricant to ease labor.

Efficacy

Effective for sore throat; inconclusive for other uses

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Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Abortifacient (whole bark)

Allergic reaction

Contact dermatitis

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Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to pollen

Pregnancy

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: abortifacient (whole bark)

Lactation: avoid use

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Pharmacology

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Mucilage from inner bark rind stim. GI nerve endings, causing reflex mucus secretion

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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.