Slippery Elm question

[d2roberts]

OK - Calvin had his monthly bout of you know what....Lately I haven't been doing anything for it because in a matter of 24 hours it works itself out....(no pun intended.)

Anyhow...this time I thought I'd try the Slippery Elm. Well, I went to the store and found a liquid formula of it...but with alcohol. I wasn't too happy about that...so I went and looked at their books, and the dog book suggested using the powder. So that is what I did....mixed it up with water - boiled, added honey and no more runs. (Gave him the directed amount to use.) How long does this stuff last in the 'fridge?

Is this what you guys use, the powder formula?

Thanks!

[jackyscott]

I have capsules - I haven't used it for the dogs yet (just me!) LOL! But I figure I can break the capsule to get the powder?

[d2roberts]

Yeah - it would have been nice to just sprinkle the powder on something...but I have no idea what I'm doing with this stuff...I really do need to buy a book. I already know which one I want....

[ZenCat]

I used to buy it in powder form, and I just mixed it with a bit of water and fed it that way, but that health food store closed, and I've been unable to find it in powder form. I've been using the lozenges (which they sell in hf stores for sore throats!) and they seem to work ok, though I felt the powder was better (purer). I kept mine in a sealed container in a dark cupboard and it was fine for months.

[d2roberts]

Originally posted by ZenCat
I used to buy it in powder form, and I just mixed it with a bit of water and fed it that way, but that health food store closed, and I've been unable to find it in powder form. I've been using the lozenges (which they sell in hf stores for sore throats!) and they seem to work ok, though I felt the powder was better (purer). I kept mine in a sealed container in a dark cupboard and it was fine for months.

I know the powder will last awhile...but what about the "potion" I had to make? It was 1 teaspoon for a cup of water...then I gave him 4 tablespoons of the mixture...I only had to do this twice. So - I have almost a whole cup pre-made in the 'fridge. How long will that last? Or should I just throw it out until next time?

[ZenCat]

Ah!!! Ok. That's a very good question - to which I have no answer I only ever made a single dose at a time. Okay, just found this... (it's from a Gay Mens Health forum but hey, it was concise, so...). It says it can be refrigerated but not for how long. Maybe Black as night will know.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

GMHC'S Nutrition & Wellness Program

This herb comes from the bark of the elm tree. The inner bark is preferred to the outer one. The system affected by its use is the gastrointestinal tract. It has antiseptic and anti-allergic action.

PARTS USED: bark

WHAT IT IS USED FOR: good for the bowels and most GI problems such as diarrhea, heartburn, reflux, persistent vomiting in acute gastritis and abdominal pain due to ulcers. Because of its high mucilage contents, it soothes irritated mucous membranes, helps with mouth sores, and helps relieve pain from oral thrush. For wasting conditions, it can be eaten like a porridge or gruel. To tolerate acidic foods, the powder can be mixed into any liquid and then taken before eating, or it can be mixed into the foods like tomato sauce.

HOW TO TAKE THIS HERB: mix powdered bark with warm water or any other liquid, and take before meals. It may also be combined with marshmallow root as it has similar effects. Use immediately after preparing it as it will become thicker the longer it sits around. Mix into soups or sauces, about 1/2 teaspoon of powder per cup of liquid depending on the thickness desired. For "cough drops" or "lozenges", mix with honey to the consistency of peanut butter. Form tiny balls & refrigerate to harden, then store in a clean jar in the refrigerator. Or it can be left as a paste in a jar and 1/2 a teaspoon can be taken out at a time. Let mixture dissolve in mouth. Slippery elm is also available as a tincture and in capsules/tablets (follow manufacturer's instructions).

[Black Labbies]

Originally Posted by ZenCat

Ah!!! Ok. That's a very good question - to which I have no answer ....It says it can be refrigerated but not for how long. Maybe Black as night will know.

I only know because I have this recipe:

This recipe calls for natural/raw Slippery Elm powder.

1/2 cup cold water
1 tsp slippery elm

With a fork mix slippery elm and cold water in a small saucepan. Stirring constantly. Heat to a simmer, or 1 to 2 minutes, or until thickened. Cool. Refridgerate. Keeps in the fridge for about a week. If you see mold on it sooner than the 7 days, throw it out and make some more.

Dosage: 1 tbls 2 to 3 times daily if needed.

Our dogs love to lick it without forcing it in them. When I'm cooking some, I have 3 dogs waiting to lick out the pan.

(We buy the powdered form of raw slippery elm in bulk at the health food store.)

[d2roberts]

Thanks! The recipe is a little different than mine...but it's close enough. Calvin hated it until I put a little honey at the bottom of the plate that I gave it to him in.

It's funny...because my recipe is weaker...but requires 4 tablespoons....so I guess it's a wash.

[McBainandLoki'sMom]

www.urbancarnivore.com will ship you the powder form (with dog instructions) and it was very inexpensive!

[ZenCat]

I wasn't happy with the lozenges (all I could find when I needed some) but yesterday I got some capsules at the health food store. You can open them up and sprinkle it on their food. I also ordered some powder in bulk online very inexpensively from www.drclarkstore.com so I can make it properly (into a gruel) which I think may have better coating properties? Opinions on that?


Mods, maybe we could sticky this thread for awhile? Seem to be getting lots of questions about this lately.

[d2roberts]

A little off topic - but I suffer from IBS and was just recently diagnosed with Diverticulitis. Anyhow...for the first time last night I took the slippery elm because I was having some issues the past few days.

Gone! Almost instantly it worked.

Thanks for introducing me to this! It's funny because with Calvin we've been working so hard to keep him off drugs for more natural resources...I'm going to start doing the same with myself.

[Black Labbies]

WOW, that's wonderful d2roberts, so glad you found relief!!!

Now we also know how well slippery elm works in humans since we can talk and dogs can't. Someone very close to me also has diverticulitis (very painful!) and guess what I'll be recommending .

Here's a picture of what the slippery elm powder looks like for those interested in it (we buy it in bulk at the health food store):

[ZenCat]

LOL!! I just took my first slippery elm tonight too!! I've had stomach pain all my life, and recently discovered in April that I have Celiac disease (after many years of lots of different diagnoses). My son has had all the same symptoms - and since it can be hereditary, he went gluten free along with me. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! He's grown 4" since April!

We still are plagued from time to time with pretty agonizing stomach aches (there's a lot of hidden gluten in mainstream foods), and I have fluctuating lactose intolerance too. So I thought I'd be the guniea pig again and see how I felt after slippery elm.

So far I don't feel anything, but it was only an hour ago

How did you feel, d2roberts?

p.s. how do they treat known diverticulitis? My mom had it, but hers had "burst" I guess you'd call it, and was discovered in the ER when she was already in agony. She ended up in emergency surgery.

[Aussie Lab]

Sorry to be a dork, but what is diverticulitis and Celiac disease?

Just asking because my dh last year suffered extremely bad stomach cramps and diarrhea, had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy and the specialist said he couldn't see anything really wrong - his stomach acid producer thingy is slightly over-active but apart from that the only other thing he might have is IBS. Prior to this he ate whatever he wanted, including the greasiest breakfasts and hottest chilli mussels, but he can't touch them now. We don't know why he got it over such a short period of time, but maybe stress induced. For over a year we ate no takeaway food AT ALL, and only now he's slowly started back on takeaways, and we had our first Chinese food the other week, nothing hot or spicy though. He also has trouble if he drinks too much beer, I think maybe the carbonation in it, because some are worse than others. (It's not easy to stop him drinking too much beer )

Anyway, this slippery elm sounds like it might really help him.

To tolerate acidic foods, the powder can be mixed into any liquid and then taken before eating, or it can be mixed into the foods like tomato sauce

Does this mean if I'm making a satay (which I love but have to modify it so it's not spicy at all) I can add it into the sauce, or give it to Steve before eating and he'll be fine. Sounds like a really great product.

[d2roberts]

http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw251746.asp

Here is some info. Some of what I’ve read on-line doesn’t quite agree with me. Many people think this is an “old” person’s condition, but I have a friend who’s just had surgery that is in his 30’s. As far as eating habits…I’ve always eaten healthy, thanks to my mom, so why I have this isn’t for that reason. My doctor believes, and the paperwork he’s provided backs this up, is that I have IBS – which I’ve always know. Many people in my family, including my mom and one sister have IBS. Our intestines and colon just struggle through life, and unless we eat healthy, we pay the price. In late 2003, early 2004, I tried a lower carb diet…I didn’t go hard-core because I don’t believe in diets that exclude fruit…but nevertheless, I increased my protein intake and decreased some carbs. By the spring I was very sick…not only with the usually stomach cramping, but loose stools and heartburn. I was in a lot of pain. After trying the usual over the counter meds for a month, I went to my doctor. He did not do any special tests for me…but based on my symptoms through life, and the whole hereditary thing, he suggested I may have diverticulosis. One of the biggest symptoms was eating nuts and seeds…I almost always get sick after eating these, with severe cramping. (The kind that doubles you over.) Earlier in my life I had allergy test done – so we knew that wasn’t the problem.

Anyhow…since then I’ve really increased my fiber intake. No white anything anymore. No caffeine…at least 3 fruits a day – and not just any fruit, high fiber fruit. Lots of water and tea, and I’m never to have soda again. (Not that I drank that much…maybe once a week.) I already exercise daily, so that wasn’t an issue either. I obviously cannot digest protein easily, so my plate consists of mostly veggies and carbs, with some protein some nights. Also – not to be rude – but with all the outdoor activities I do, I have to stop to go to the bathroom now, no matter what. Holding “it” is very bad for you too…which I did a lot of for the obvious reasons. My husband has a field day with that one.

There you have it. I’ve been feeling much better. I can even eat small portions of nuts with no stomach pain. The problem now is that if I sway from my strict diet, I pay the price. Last weekend I didn’t have any fruit and I had mild cramping Saturday through Tuesday. So when I took the Slippery Elm, I had very mild symptoms, but nevertheless, it took care of my immediate pain.

Sorry it’s so long – but for those of you that suffer from constant stomach pain – please take care of yourself. It’s really nice, for once in my life, to not have that constant pain.