How to use slippery elm powder for acid reflux

Slippery elm powder is a nutritious food that will gently soothe an irritated, acid stomach. It forms a lovely protective barrier along the lining of the gut, repairing the mucous membranes and reducing the risk of further irritation and inflammation.  

It's quickly soothing to any inflammation of the stomach such as:

• Gastritis
• Ulceration
• Heartburn
• Acid reflux
• Hiatus hernia.

Great news for any issues with acidity! 
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It can also be soothing to inflammation further down in the bowel such as:

• Colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Chronic bladder inflammation or irritation

What does slippery elm taste like?

Slippery elm is not to everyone’s taste, (at first anyway) so a great way to make it taste better is to add it to smoothies or transform it into a hot frothy drink.

Two ways to create great tasting slippery elm:

1. For speed add it to a glass of water, beat it rapidly with a fork (it will remain a little lumpy) and down it in one. 
2. Blend it into your favourite smoothie. I've put my favourite slippery elm recipe below which makes it a lovely soothing and creamy drink. I’ve included anti-inflammatory herbs like cinnamon and nutmeg as these will help sweeten the drink without the need for sugar, which can irritate the gut. And some vanilla extract for the same reason! So many delicious ways to add flavour and sweetness to slippery elm without overloading on sugar and calories. ​

When to take slippery elm?
It's best taken about 20-minutes before a meal, 2-3 times per day.

Recipe for a great tasting slippery elm smoothie!

If you struggle with the taste of slippery elm you'll love this deliciously smooth shake. It can even be warmed up and consumed as a healthy hot drink instead of your usual cafe latte! (best avoided if experiencing acid reflux or heartburn).

Ingredients

• 1 cup of oat milk (250ml) (I use Oatly)
• ½ a large or 1 small ripe banana
• 1 tbsp. Slippery Elm Powder
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon  
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A tiny pinch of nutmeg

Simply blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and pour into your favourite glass. 

If you prefer a hot drink, gently heat the blended mixture in a saucepan and pour into your favourite mug. Add extra frothiness with a handheld milk frother, delicious! 

If after trying this, you still really struggle with the flavour of slippery elm, it is available in capsule form. However, capsules are often far too small to have any great bearing on symptoms so I recommend using slippery elm powder if possible.

Where can I buy slippery elm?

​Slippery elm is relatively cheap and available in good independent health food stores. Look out for an organic one if possible. ​You can also get in touch with me here and I can put together a tailored supplement plan for you.

​Don't forget to share my blog post on acid reflux with anyone who may be struggling. It's a common problem but it's not normal and there's lots we can do to help!