Slippery Elm
Slippery elm is a tree found in the central and eastern United States and Ontario, Canada. Slippery elm has been described as a tree that can reach 60 to 80 feet in height and has a signature dark brown or reddish-brown bark. Native Americans have used the bark of slippery elm for their traditional medicines to cure different ailments and conditions such as fevers, wounds, and even sore throats.
Like marshmallow root, slippery elm contains mucilage, a mucus-like component in the plant that can help relieve pain through its analgesic properties. When the bark of slippery elm is mixed with water, it produces sticky mucilage, which is therapeutic and soothing to anyone who touches it. For example, when consumed by a person experiencing a sore throat, it can coat the throat with mucilage and relieve the pain.
Slippery elm is commonly added to many brands of throat lozenges, and it is one of the most popular ways to consume it. It can also be consumed as a tea by pouring boiling water over powdered bark, stirring it, and then straining it before drinking.
