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Herb

Slippery Elm

The soft, slick inner bark of a native tree that has long been stirred into soothing drinks for a scratchy throat.

🌱 What it is

Slippery elm is the inner bark of the slippery elm tree, ground into a powder that turns soft and mucilage-like when mixed with water.

✨ How it may help

  • May help support a soothed, coated feeling for a scratchy throat
  • May help support comfort for an unsettled stomach
  • May help support a gentle, warming drink during illness
  • May help support throat comfort through lozenges made with it

🥄 How to use it

Stir a teaspoon of slippery elm powder into warm (not boiling) water to make a soothing drink, and sip it slowly. Throat lozenges containing slippery elm are another simple option.

⚖️ Caution

Take slippery elm about an hour apart from medicines, since its coating action can slow how well the body absorbs them.

🍃 A note from nature

That a tree's own bark can turn so soft and soothing in water is a gentle picture of the comfort woven into creation for those who are unwell.