The inner bark of the tree provides the greatest therapeutic benefit. Canoes, baskets, and other household goods were made from the tree and its bark. Slippery elm was also used internally for everything from sore throats to diarrhea. As a poultice, it was considered a remedy for almost any skin condition. The bark contains a host of other constituents, but the carbohydrates that comprise the mucilage are the most important.
Slippery elm is also an ingredient of some cough lozenges and cough syrups.
Slippery elm is quite safe, with no known side effects or interactions with any other medicines. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs . Potter's New Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations . This Encyclopedia was researched and written by a team of nationally known health care professionals from a variety of disciplines, who labored to create a new standard of excellence with this innovative and comprehensive reference work. To learn more about the authors and contributors click here .