The Must Have Pantry Staple For Irritable Bowels
Having an irritable bowel is not something you can miss.
You likely find your symptoms are worse after eating and find some mornings you can't even get out the door because of diarrhea. Just when you think your body is feeling better, it throws you a curve ball and you are back to square one. If it's not diarrhea, it's constipation and between the bloating, flatulance and often urgent bathroom breaks, you find yourself sticking to the same foods that have become your "safe foods". Everytime you eat, you cross your fingers and your toes it will be a pain free experience.
Sound about right?
I hear you, which is why I have this amazing pantry staple always on hand. This paired with my Healthy Gut Cheat Sheet with top foods, supplements and lifestyle changes has been a game changer for me and my clients! Grab it here, it's free!
Slippery elm is derived from the inner bark of the elm tree. Containing mucilage, slippery elm is well, quite slippery in texture. Much like a gel it coats and soothes everything from your mouth to your bum (how's that for a visual) giving you sweet sweet relief from the raw feeling inside (1).
My preference is in the powder form, but we will get to that below!
Benefits of slippery elm for an angry bowel
Rich in antioxidants, it relieves inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS, crohn's and colitis (2)
Improves constipation, diarrhea and bloating
Soothes irritation of mucous membrane of your gut lining by stimulating mucous production
In fact studies have shown that a constipation IBS formulation, comprised of dried, powdered slippery elm bark, lactulose, oat bran, and licorice root provided reduction in straining, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and improved the frequency of the stool (4).
Who can benefit from slippery elm?
If you answer yes to any of the below, this soothing recipe below is just what you need.
Gas
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gastritis
GERD
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel disease (crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
Acid reflux
Slippery elm comes in either bark or powder form as well as tincture and capsule. My preference is in powder, especially for this incredibly relieving tea I am about to teach you how to make.
Not So Angry Bowel Tea
Ingredients:
1 tsp slippery elm powder
1 mug of water
Optional flavour:
1/2 tsp cinnamon or
1/2 lemon squeezed
Method:
Begin by boiling enough water to fill your favourite mug.
While water is boiling, place 1 tsp of slippery elm powder and roughly 2 tsps of water in your mug and stir into a paste.
Once water is boiled fill your mug and stir with slippery elm paste until combined.
Don't be alarmed by floating pieces, you can let your mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the slippery elm to turn into more of a gel or blend it in your blender.
I found this tea has a nice mild taste, but if you would like to spice it up you can add cinnamon or lemon into your tea.
Sip and enjoy!
