Slippery Elm Powder

Lukasmom

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I've been mixing about 1/8 teaspoon in my Lukas' food twice a day, for the past few days now and he has been eating it no problem. I have read that some people make a paste or boil it. Is it more effective this way or is just the same as mixing the powder with some water in his food?
 

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While I use them both for similar issues, the marshmallow root is outstanding at alleviating bladder irritation and can help with breathing. Slippery elm is very soothing to the entire digestive tract, especially with some red raspberry leaf added.
Powdered is fine if you can ensure extra water intake. I find speedier results with tea but both are very effective.
For example, I am taking care of some one who has intractable diarrhea and nausea lasting several months now & they just had endoscopy and colonoscopy and are seriously hurting on their back end but cannot have NSAIDS and tylenol is ineffective. I gave them capsules of marshmallow root & slippery elm and the relief was noticeable in 15 minutes! We are in a motel so making a decoction isn't possible.
 
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Lukasmom

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Thanks for your reply! So there is no added benefit with slippery elm made into a paste vs just sprinkled into the food?
 

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Thanks for your reply! So there is no added benefit with slippery elm made into a paste vs just sprinkled into the food?
While I have not made the actual paste, I do sprinkle onto the canned food and mix in hot water very thoroughly & I let it stand for about 5-10 minutes to thicken up. So I think that I would make the paste over the sprinkling. I hope that I am not sounding too confused...I am just getting back from a long road trip.
 
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Lukasmom

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Thanks for your replies. That's what I've been doing...mixing it with cold water first (it still stays a liquid though) and then mix it into the food. I will try it with hot water and let it sit a bit first and see if that makes a difference.
 

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You can also simmer the 1 tsp. powder in 1 cup of filtered, bottled or good well water for 10 minutes and then store the decoction in the refrigerator. You will see the mucilagenous (sp?) properties thickening the water. I don't strain the water. I also recommend drinking a little of it yourself so you can see what I am talking about.
The decoction also makes a soothing wash for irritated tissues including diaper areas.
 
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Lukasmom

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So i boiled a cup of water and while still hot mixed in a teaspoon of the slippery elm powder. Let it cool a couple of hours but it did not thicken. I put it in the fridge too but it’s still liquid. What am I doing wrong?
 

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Not to hijack but has anyone ever had a cat with a negative reaction to slippery elm? I have one who it helps immensely for a variety of issues but the other was VERY sedated afterwards to the point where I was nervous to give it to her again.

Also is there any issue giving marshmallow or slippery elm if the cat is on other medications or antibiotics? I haven't used marshmallow yet but our one cat has bad asthma and had pneumonia also and constantly coughs and wheezes and I wonder if marshmallow would help that. Thoughts?
 

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Lukasmom Lukasmom : try adding another teaspoon of SEP and simmer it on low heat for 10-15 minutes (keep covered, even while cooling, so the steam does not carry off any medicinal properties). The simmering is to get out the medicine in barks and roots (decoction). If the powder is old or was exposed to heat or light, it might be weak.

jen jen : You can ask your vet about what they think. I have had excellent results with marshmallow root for lung ailments; because I was working with ferals sick with URI and other ailments (and administering antibiotics and modern meds was not feasible) my vet was happy to look up counter indications for me. We have used antibiotics and herbs simultaneously quite often with my tame and semi-feral cats, but I have not used bronchodilators nor steroids on my cats. I most commonly use marshmallow root as a stand alone for lung and bladder problems; if there is obvious infection, then I blend slippery elm and sometimes add licorice root to the mix & if the weather is cold, then I add elderberry in diluted amounts. I would add that this is only personal opinion because I am not a veterinary professional; my dad's people were traditional healers & my vet grew up on a ranch and her grandmother treated them with herbal medicine so we are a bit more familiar with using "potions". And always keep in mind that kitties have weak kidneys and sensitive lungs & digestive tracts (as do I) so weak solutions are better - with decoctions and teas, you can administer less strength at more frequent intervals, unlike pharmaceuticals. And as scary as that sounds, it really isn't: for example: eating only 3 or 4 apricots can have a terrible laxative effect on 2 members of my household; my daughter can have 8 or 10 before she feels effects and I can easily eat 20 and be just fine yet the opposite is true for us with salmon - I must avoid salmon at all costs.
 
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Lukasmom

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Thank you, I will give it another try. The SEM was bought online, sealed and still well within expiry date so I am supposing it should be ok...
 

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I've done 1/4tsp SEB powder with 1/4 cup of water. I mixed it up really well in a little bowl first, and then simmer it for about 2 minutes on low heat, and that usually works great for me. Thickens up beautifully. It keeps in the fridge for about 2-3 days in a jar.
 

nekomaui

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I usually mix SEB powder in a bowl with boiling water from a kettle. It thickens like the consistency of gravy. Then I syringe feed my CKD kitty because he would not touch his food with anything mixed in it.
 
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Lukasmom

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I got it to thicken a little more to like a gravy...no thicker, not like a paste how some have mentioned though..
 

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I got it to thicken a little more to like a gravy...no thicker, not like a paste how some have mentioned though..
I think that is how I use it - it is "slimy" like Jello water but definitely not a paste. Viscosity wise, it is more like lightweight cooking oil. Using my methods, the only paste that you will find is the herbal residue at the bottom of the pot or jar after you strain off the liquid.
*This decoction is a blend of SEP, marshmallow root & licorice root so it has more color* 20181111_101532.jpg
 
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Lukasmom

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Thanks for that..I guess mine looks right :-)
 
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