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Vitality Now Products

Organic Slippery Elm Bark Powder – Natural Prebiotic for Gut Health & Digestive Ease

Organic Slippery Elm Bark Powder – Natural Prebiotic for Gut Health & Digestive Ease

$15.00
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About This Herb

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) is a well-known traditional herb in North American and Western herbal tradition, used for centuries by Native American peoples and later widely adopted across Western herbalism. Its name describes its most distinctive quality: the inner bark, when mixed with water, becomes richly slippery and gel-like.

This quality comes from the inner bark's mucilage content, a naturally occurring polysaccharide network that swells into a thick gel when it contacts liquid. In Western herbal tradition, Slippery Elm is classified as a demulcent (traditionally, soothing to mucous membranes), an emollient (traditionally, softening and moistening), a nutritive (traditionally, nourishing), and a vulnerary (a traditional herbal classification associated with supporting the skin's own healing process). It's also historically been used as a food, the inner bark was traditionally used by Native Americans and early settlers as a nourishing preparation, and its natural nutritional content (vitamins, minerals, and fibre) remains in this certified organic powder.

This herb is also part of Vitality Now's own range, Slippery Elm is one of the traditional ingredients in the Apana Prana digestive blend. 

Traditional Western and Ayurvedic herbal wellness product. This information is not medical advice and has not been evaluated by the TGA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Benefits

• Traditionally used as a demulcent, its mucilage gel is traditionally valued for a soothing, coating quality throughout the digestive tract

• Traditionally used to support a calm, comfortable feeling after meals

• Traditionally classified as a nutritive and gently nourishing preparation, historically also used as a food

• Traditionally used to support comfortable throat ease, particularly valued in Western herbal tradition for dryness or occasional irritation

• Traditionally used to support comfortable natural bowel regularity, in keeping with its traditional bulk-forming, fibre-rich nature

• Naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant flavonoids

Directions for Use

• Standard preparation: 1–5 teaspoons per day in water, taken away from food and medications. Begin with 1 teaspoon and adjust to your needs.

• Why away from food and medications: Slippery Elm's mucilage coats indiscriminately, it can slow the absorption of anything alongside it in the digestive tract. Allow at least 1–2 hours between Slippery Elm and any medications.

• As a gel (most effective preparation): Stir 1–2 teaspoons into a small amount of cool or room-temperature water first, mixing until a smooth gel forms, then add more water and stir.

• As a warm gruel (traditional): Mix 1–2 teaspoons with a small amount of cool water to form a paste, then slowly add warm water while stirring to a smooth, porridge-like consistency. Sweeten lightly with honey or maple syrup if desired, this was a traditional Native American preparation.

• In smoothies or food: Stir 1 teaspoon into a smoothie, yoghurt, or porridge.

• For throat comfort: Take in a small amount of cool water, sipping slowly.

• For overnight comfort: Some people take it in water before bed as part of an evening routine.

• Safety note: Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, particularly any medication where absorption timing matters. Allow at least 2 hours between Slippery Elm and any oral medications. If you have persistent digestive or throat symptoms, please see a doctor rather than relying on this product alone.

Key Botanicals

• Slippery Elm inner bark powder (Ulmus rubra / Red Elm), certified organic, sustainably sourced, ground

No fillers, binders, preservatives, or additives. 100% pure certified organic Slippery Elm inner bark powder.

Why it works?

  • benefit of slippery elm inner bark mucilage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Slippery Elm and how is it used in Western and Ayurvedic tradition? +

Slippery Elm inner bark (Ulmus rubra / Red Elm / Indian Elm) is one of North America's most revered traditional botanicals, used by Native American peoples for centuries as a healing food and natural demulcent. In both Western and Ayurvedic herbal traditions it is valued for its exceptionally high mucilage content, a thick, gelatinous, naturally soothing fibre that coats and soothes the inner digestive passages on contact. It is a key ingredient in Kimmana Nichols' Apana Prana formula. It is not a treatment for any medical condition.

How do I prepare and take Slippery Elm powder? +

Slippery Elm is traditionally prepared as a gruel or thin porridge, mix 1–2 teaspoons in a small amount of cold water first to create a smooth paste, then add warm water, milk, or broth and stir well. It naturally thickens as it sits. It can also be stirred directly into water and consumed immediately. Take on an empty stomach, ideally 30–60 minutes before meals or before bed. Always follow with a full glass of water and maintain good daily hydration when using fibre supplements.

Can Slippery Elm help with digestive discomfort and natural digestive ease? +

Slippery Elm is one of Western herbalism's most traditionally valued herbs for natural digestive ease, its mucilage gel coats and soothes the inner digestive passages on direct contact, providing a naturally protective, soothing layer from the oesophagus to the colon. Many people with heat-type or sensitive digestive tendencies find it a particularly gentle and naturally comforting daily digestive herb. Slippery Elm is not a treatment for IBS, IBD, GERD, or any digestive disease. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for persistent digestive concerns.

Can Slippery Elm help with natural bowel regularity? +

Slippery Elm's high mucilage fibre content acts as a gentle, non-stimulant natural bulking agent, it supports comfortable natural bowel ease by adding bulk and moisture to the colon contents, supporting smooth and comfortable natural transit. Unlike stimulant-type herbs it works gently through fibre action rather than through bowel stimulation. Slippery Elm is not a treatment for constipation or any bowel condition. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for persistent bowel concerns.

What is the difference between Slippery Elm and Psyllium Husk? +

Both are natural fibre-based digestive herbs but they work differently. Psyllium Husk is primarily a bulking and prebiotic fibre, it swells into a gel that adds bulk for natural elimination and feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Slippery Elm is primarily a demulcent, its mucilage is directly soothing and coating to the inner digestive passages rather than primarily a bulking agent. Vitality Now's Apana Prana formula combines both, pairing Psyllium Husk's bulking and prebiotic action with Slippery Elm's naturally soothing demulcent character.