What can help a sore throat in winter weather?
Slippery Elm can help to soothe a cough and sore throat in cold dry winter weather. Slippery Elm Bark, or Ulmus Rubra, comes from a tree native to the central and eastern U.S. and Canada. Slippery Elm contains mucilage, a sticky mixture of sugars that can't be broken down by the human digestive tract and the mucilage soothes the throat by providing a coating. Some studies have shown that Slippery Elm can reduce inflammation and relive pain in an irritated sore throat. The mucilage can also coat the esophagus and may help prevent the irritation and inflammation that occurs when stomach acid flows up the esophagus with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD can also cause a sore throat.
If you experience heartburn or GERD, check with your doctor. He may agree to you trying a mix of 1-2 tablespoons of slippery elm with a glass of water and drinking it after a meal as a natural remedy.
How Do I Use Slippery Elm Bark?
The inner bark is dried and powdered. It’s available in the following forms.
lozenges
tablets
fine powder for making teas and extracts
coarse powder for making a poultice
For tea, pour 2 cups of boiling water over roughly 2 tablespoons of the powder and steep for a few minutes.
As with any supplement, be sure to read product labels and to consult with your doctor before trying a supplement.
