Slippery Elm Bark: Soothing Digestive Relief for Your Goats

I’m excited to introduce you to an herb that’s a cornerstone in natural goat care for its unparalleled soothing properties: Slippery Elm Bark. This remarkable herb is a godsend for digestive health, among other benefits, and is something I believe every goat keeper should know about.

Why Slippery Elm Bark?

Slippery Elm Bark, derived from the inner bark of the Slippery Elm tree, is rich in nutrients and contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that becomes slick when mixed with water. This unique property offers several benefits, particularly for the digestive system. Here’s why Slippery Elm Bark is so beneficial:

  • Digestive Soother: It coats, soothes, and protects the digestive tract, helping to ease discomfort from irritations and ulcers, making it ideal for goats with sensitive stomachs.
  • Nutrient-Rich: Packed with vitamins A, B-complex, C, K, and minerals like calcium and magnesium, it not only supports the digestive system but also contributes to overall health.
  • Supports Healing: Its soothing properties extend to external use, helping to heal cuts, sores, and abscesses when applied as a poultice.

Using Slippery Elm Bark in Your Goats’ Herbal Care

Adding Slippery Elm Bark to your goats’ regimen is straightforward and offers a gentle approach to supporting their health:

  • Powdered Bark: Mix a small amount of Slippery Elm Bark powder into their feed when needed. Start with a teaspoon per goat and adjust based on their size and needs. It’s very palatable in powdered form.
  • Slippery Elm Bark Tea: Brew a mild tea and add it to their water or mix it with other digestive herbs administered as a drench. This can be particularly soothing for goats experiencing digestive upset. Be aware, it will gel up some, but the healing properties remain in the tea.

Where To Buy

You can purchase high quality slippery elm bark powder for goats in my shop here.

Slippery Elm Bark Research Summary Provided by Consensus

Introduction

Slippery elm bark, derived from the inner bark of the Ulmus rubra tree, has been traditionally used in various medicinal applications. This synthesis aims to consolidate the research findings on the medicinal uses of slippery elm bark, focusing on its biochemical properties, therapeutic effects, and potential mechanisms of action.

Key Insights

  • Upper Airway Inflammatory Conditions:
    • Slippery elm bark is commonly used to treat upper airway inflammatory conditions such as laryngitis and other voice disorders. Despite its widespread anecdotal use, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy in these applications.
  • Vasorelaxant Effects:
    • Slippery elm bark, along with other barks used in Native American folk medicine, has been shown to activate the KCNQ5 voltage-gated potassium channel, which mediates vascular smooth muscle relaxation. This suggests a potential use in treating conditions that benefit from vasorelaxation.
  • General Medicinal Use:
    • Slippery elm bark is recognized for its medicinal value in various applications, although specific quantitative data on its abundance, distribution, and sustainable harvest are limited. The USDA Forest Service monitors these aspects to support sustainable management of non-timber forest products, including slippery elm bark.

Conclusion

Slippery elm bark is traditionally used for treating upper airway inflammatory conditions and has potential vasorelaxant effects due to its activation of the KCNQ5 potassium channel. While its medicinal value is acknowledged, more scientific research is needed to substantiate its efficacy and ensure sustainable management of this natural resource.

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