Like its name suggests, Slippery Elm tea is famous for how gooey, slimy and gummy it gets; but what many people don't know is that it is a great herbal remedy for psoriasis! Since I started drinking it, my psoriasis has never been better - but why does it help?
First off, a little bit about its history. Native to eastern North America, Slippery Elm is a deciduous tree with small green leaves and an inner bark that is worth its weight in gold.
The first people that recognised its medicinal properties were the Native Americans, who discovered that mixing the inner bark with water created a gluey, gelatinous substance that expanded and turned into a thick salve. This is because the inner bark contains mucilage. They tried rubbing it onto skin cuts and wounds and lo and behold - they healed! They also found out that when it dried and hardened up, it acted as a natural bandage.
In time, the English settlers noticed how the Native Americans used the tree and started applying the mixture themselves. They rubbed it onto cold sores and boils to stop them from getting infected. It was even more invaluable during the American Revolution, when soldiers used it as an antiseptic gel to treat their wartime injuries! To recap, throughout its history it was used to treat skin conditions, as well as other ailments - but what does this mean for psoriasis?
Slippery Elm Tea Helps Psoriasis... and there's PROOF!
In 2004, the Department of Human Nutrition in the University of Hawaii conducted a study to see if nutrition therapy can be used to treat psoriasis. As part of the study, they instructed 5 patients with plaque psoriasis to make dietary changes and drink Slippery Elm tea, and the results were irrefutable! They found that over six months, ALL PATIENTS witnessed improvements in their bowel permeability and psoriasis. On average, their PASI test scores before-and-after dropped from 18.2 to 8.7... which translates to a 50% reduction in psoriasis symptoms. I'm sure that they were all ecstatic!
Furthermore, apart from the scientific studies, there are hundreds if not thousands of testimonies and personal stories advocating the use of Slippery Elm bark for treating psoriasis. Two of the most prominent figures that discovered its use for psoriasis include Edgar Cayce, a psychic who gave readings to sick people in the early 20th century, and Dr Pagano who authored the best-selling book Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative. By following the advice of these two individuals, many psoriasis patients have treated or cured their red, scaly skin.
A Yummy Slippery Elm Tea Recipe
The best way of using Slippery Elm is to buy the bark powder. Inner Bark is the best - don't settle for capsules, lozenges or bags of Outer Bark, as they are more or less a waste of money. Whilst you can add it to food whilst preparing a meal, I find that making the following tea 3 times a day is quick and easy:
- Pour 1 tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder into a cup
- Fill with boiling water
- Add a little sweetener (not too much!)
- Add a dash of light coconut milk, almond milk, or goats milk.
- Sprinkle on some cinnamon and nutmeg
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes
- Take your first sip
This tea might take some time getting used to taste-wise, but it is well worth the effort. It will coat the mucous membranes of your gastrointestinal tract and help you to heal from the inside, thus improving your psoriasis on the outside. Slippery Elm is essential if diet is a contributing factor to your psoriasis, so go turn the kettle on and make a cup as soon as you can!
First off, a little bit about its history. Native to eastern North America, Slippery Elm is a deciduous tree with small green leaves and an inner bark that is worth its weight in gold.
The first people that recognised its medicinal properties were the Native Americans, who discovered that mixing the inner bark with water created a gluey, gelatinous substance that expanded and turned into a thick salve. This is because the inner bark contains mucilage. They tried rubbing it onto skin cuts and wounds and lo and behold - they healed! They also found out that when it dried and hardened up, it acted as a natural bandage.
In time, the English settlers noticed how the Native Americans used the tree and started applying the mixture themselves. They rubbed it onto cold sores and boils to stop them from getting infected. It was even more invaluable during the American Revolution, when soldiers used it as an antiseptic gel to treat their wartime injuries! To recap, throughout its history it was used to treat skin conditions, as well as other ailments - but what does this mean for psoriasis?
Slippery Elm Tea Helps Psoriasis... and there's PROOF!
In 2004, the Department of Human Nutrition in the University of Hawaii conducted a study to see if nutrition therapy can be used to treat psoriasis. As part of the study, they instructed 5 patients with plaque psoriasis to make dietary changes and drink Slippery Elm tea, and the results were irrefutable! They found that over six months, ALL PATIENTS witnessed improvements in their bowel permeability and psoriasis. On average, their PASI test scores before-and-after dropped from 18.2 to 8.7... which translates to a 50% reduction in psoriasis symptoms. I'm sure that they were all ecstatic!
Furthermore, apart from the scientific studies, there are hundreds if not thousands of testimonies and personal stories advocating the use of Slippery Elm bark for treating psoriasis. Two of the most prominent figures that discovered its use for psoriasis include Edgar Cayce, a psychic who gave readings to sick people in the early 20th century, and Dr Pagano who authored the best-selling book Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative. By following the advice of these two individuals, many psoriasis patients have treated or cured their red, scaly skin.
A Yummy Slippery Elm Tea Recipe
The best way of using Slippery Elm is to buy the bark powder. Inner Bark is the best - don't settle for capsules, lozenges or bags of Outer Bark, as they are more or less a waste of money. Whilst you can add it to food whilst preparing a meal, I find that making the following tea 3 times a day is quick and easy:
- Pour 1 tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder into a cup
- Fill with boiling water
- Add a little sweetener (not too much!)
- Add a dash of light coconut milk, almond milk, or goats milk.
- Sprinkle on some cinnamon and nutmeg
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes
- Take your first sip
This tea might take some time getting used to taste-wise, but it is well worth the effort. It will coat the mucous membranes of your gastrointestinal tract and help you to heal from the inside, thus improving your psoriasis on the outside. Slippery Elm is essential if diet is a contributing factor to your psoriasis, so go turn the kettle on and make a cup as soon as you can!