Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Slippery elm bark is a mucilaginous herb used to soothe GI tract inflammation, IBS, and reflux. It has an excellent safety record. The mucilage may slow the absorption of oral medications — take separately from medications by at least 2 hours. Avoid in known elm allergy. Generally safe in pregnancy at food amounts; avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Ulmus rubra
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 7 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for Slippery Elm Bark indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 7/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 6/20 |
| Study recency | 9/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 9/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 7 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 7 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 აპრ 2026, 12:11
Evidence Distribution
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA Review and Survey of Local Eastern Kentucky Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Benefits. ↗Veldhi P et al.. A Review and Survey of Local Eastern Kentucky Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Benefits.. Plants (Basel). 2025. PMID:41157739.PMID 41157739 ↗Journal Plants (Basel)Year 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41157739/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLeaf temperatures exceed thermal heat tolerances for a community of eastern North America hardwood trees. ↗Endris J et al.. Leaf temperatures exceed thermal heat tolerances for a community of eastern North America hardwood trees.. AoB Plants. 2025. PMID:40574898.PMID 40574898 ↗Journal AoB PlantsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40574898/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSubserous Type of Eosinophilic Colitis: A Rare Disease. ↗Amado C et al.. Subserous Type of Eosinophilic Colitis: A Rare Disease.. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2021. PMID:34377693.PMID 34377693 ↗Journal Eur J Case Rep Intern MedYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34377693/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPrebiotic Potential of Herbal Medicines Used in Digestive Health and Disease. ↗Peterson CT et al.. Prebiotic Potential of Herbal Medicines Used in Digestive Health and Disease.. J Altern Complement Med. 2018. PMID:29565634.PMID 29565634 ↗Journal J Altern Complement MedYear 2018Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29565634/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUranium mobility across annual growth rings in three deciduous tree species. ↗McHugh KC et al.. Uranium mobility across annual growth rings in three deciduous tree species.. J Environ Radioact. 2018. PMID:29150189.PMID 29150189 ↗Journal J Environ RadioactYear 2018Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29150189/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDrug-Herb Interactions in the Elderly Patient with IBD: a Growing Concern. ↗Rahman H et al.. Drug-Herb Interactions in the Elderly Patient with IBD: a Growing Concern.. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2017. PMID:28918484.PMID 28918484 ↗Journal Curr Treat Options GastroenterolYear 2017Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28918484/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSlippery Elm. ↗Slippery Elm.. 2012. PMID:38289993.PMID 38289993 ↗Year 2012Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38289993/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Slippery Elm Bark. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Slippery Elm Bark
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.