The GI healing food of Black Southern folk medicine — slippery elm bark powder makes a mucilaginous porridge that coats and heals the entire digestive tract.
Slippery elm lozenges remain popular in Black Southern communities for sore throats. The powder is used by community herbalists for digestive healing.
Slippery elm mucilage forms a thick gel when mixed with water that coats the entire GI tract from mouth to colon — reducing irritation, inflammation, and pain in GERD, gastritis, irritable bowel, and ulcerative colitis. FDA classifies it as a safe demulcent. Black Americans have higher rates of GI conditions including esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer, and consistently lower access to gastroenterology care. Slippery elm addresses the symptoms that medical care fails to reach.
Mix 1 tsp powder with cold water to make a paste, then add hot water or milk. Add cinnamon, honey, and ginger. Can be added to smoothies or oatmeal. Available in powder or lozenge form at health food stores.
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