SEB, Slippery Elm Bark, Elm Bark, Soothing Mucilage
Elm bark has a mild to bittersweet taste and can be used both externally and internally.
Our pure, non-irradiated, organically grown (USDA certified) Slippery Elm Bark (abbreviated SEB), derived from the red elm (Ulmus fulva/rubra), is considered a beneficial dietary supplement for children, people recovering from illness, convalescents, and also as a feed supplement for animals.
Slippery Elm is a small tree native to North America. The bark is harvested in spring, and the outer bark is removed so the mucilage-rich inner bark can be used. The soothing mucilage is used in ointments, poultices, and skincare. The processed material here is the inner bark of the North American red elm, which is very soft and contains polysaccharides responsible for its mucilage-forming properties.
To prepare elm tea, pour one to two teaspoons of elm bark into a pot with one cup of cold water and bring both to a boil together. Then strain and drink in small sips, or use for gargling or rinsing. One to two cups of this tea are used daily.
In traditional folk medicine, elm tea is used for diarrhea or gastritis, as well as for inflammations in the mouth and throat as a rinse or gargle.
Externally, elm tea is traditionally applied in the form of compresses, baths, or washes, including for poorly healing wounds, hemorrhoids, and eczema.
Red elm grows mainly in southern North America, North Dakota, Canada, the lower parts of Michigan, the Appalachian mountain regions in eastern North America, and western Texas, and has been used as a natural remedy by Indigenous peoples for centuries.
The inner bark is separated from the trunk of organically grown trees (at least 10 years old) in spring, dried for many months in large halls, then powdered and packaged for sale. The wood is used for other purposes.
Elm bark has a mild to bittersweet taste and can be used externally and internally.
Composition of SEB:
The main component of elm bark is mucilage, found in the bast and inner bark. Other components are present only in very small amounts (0.002%), as the elm tree grows in poor soil.
Nutritional values (crude protein and crude fiber content)
Crude protein approx. 3%
Crude fiber approx. 48%
Carbohydrates 1%
Dietary fiber less than 2%
SEB, Slippery Elm Bark, is a natural product, therefore these values may naturally vary.
Composition:
Pentosan, methylpentosan, hexosan, polyuronide (pectin), tannic acids (3%), starch, minerals, cholesterol, moss, calcium oxalate; fatty acids such as caprylic acid, which may help prevent fungal growth (Candida fungus) during use.
Slippery elm mucilage may lubricate bones and joints and help the body eliminate waste products (intestines, etc.). Therefore, it is considered a detoxifying agent. Studies have shown that Slippery Elm Bark also contains antioxidants that may have positive effects on kidney health.
Use for humans:
To use as a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1/2 teaspoon of SEB, cover and let steep for 3–5 minutes, or bring 1–2 teaspoons of elm bark with 1 cup of cold water to a boil in a pot. Then strain and drink in small sips, or use for gargling or rinsing, one to two cups daily.
Use for cats:
Internal use
Mix 1/3 teaspoon (approx. 350 mg) of SEB with lukewarm water in a 5 ml syringe and administer to the cat as needed (e.g. for nausea/vomiting). SEB is difficult to overdose, therefore it may be given up to 6 times daily. Especially important before bedtime to soothe the stomach overnight.
For stomach issues, it is best to give the slippery elm paste about half an hour before feeding, as it forms a protective layer around the stomach walls and has a soothing effect on the mucous membranes.
External use
SEB mixed with a little cold water can be used as a “poultice” for wounds and rashes. It forms a natural “bandage” (with antiseptic properties) that can easily be removed with water after a few hours.
Herbal practitioners attribute gentle yet effective healing properties to elm bark:
- Nutritive (provides specific nutrients)
- Soothing/calming (e.g. stomach and intestinal mucosa)
- Astringent (contracts mucous membranes and wounds by precipitating proteins, reducing irritation, dulling taste sensation, and inhibiting digestive gland secretion)
- Mucilage-forming
Some examples from folk medicine:
- Relief and healing of ulcers in the mouth
- Soothing and anti-inflammatory effects for toothache
- Reported success in cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Rapid relief for hyperacidity, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, constipation, colic, cough, bronchitis, etc.
There are no known side effects of elm bark, but taking slippery elm mucilage may interfere with the absorption of other substances (food, medications). Therefore, it is recommended to leave at least half an hour between taking elm bark and medications or food.
Allergic reactions may occur with skin poultices. If this happens, elm bark should no longer be used externally.
The information about Slippery Elm Bark has been compiled and summarized from literature sources. It is not intended to replace necessary medical treatment. Therefore, it is important that you also inform yourself independently.
