The soothing gel
Inner bark powder stirred into water
Turns into a coating gel. The traditional way to take it.
Good for: Colds & sore throat · Gas & bloating
What variations of slippery elm exist?
The inner bark of a North American elm tree. Mixed with water, it forms a soothing gel that coats the throat and digestive tract. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
Every form, in plain words
The soothing gel
Inner bark powder stirred into water
Turns into a coating gel. The traditional way to take it.
Good for: Colds & sore throat · Gas & bloating
The throat drop
Slippery elm lozenges
Practical for a sore throat.
Good for: Colds & sore throat
The grab-and-go one
Capsules
Convenient, but take with plenty of water so the gel can form.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Inner bark powder stirred into water' on the label (the soothing gel)
Watch out for
- Doesn't say it's made from the inner bark
Check with your provider first if…
- Taking any medicines or supplements. The coating can slow how well they're absorbed, so take them at a different time of day.
- Pregnancy: ask your provider first. Use inner bark products only.
- Allergy to elm
In Dr. Lesher's store
5 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have slippery elm. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Integrative Therapeutics
Blue Heron
25 mg per serving
Patient One MediNutritionals
GastroOne Gut Health Formula
200 mg per serving
Vital Nutrients
Buy on Fullscript GI Repair Powder
Nutritional Fundamentals for Health
GI Repair SAP
250 mg per serving
Integrative Therapeutics
Similase® Sensitive Stomach
120 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.