7 Easy Steps To Make Slippery Elm Lozenges

Slippery elm lozenges are so many in the market, there are many brands and manufacturers of this oral, herbal medicine. You may ask yourself why many are getting this drug and what it does to the body. Well, slippery elm is not a new plant, it has been in existence since years ago and there are amazing benefits which are still efficient in the lozenge form. 

When we say a drug is lozenge, we mean that it is in a solid form and they are taken by dissolving or disintegrating them in the mouth. You can call them medicated candies because they have sweet taste and are pleasant to the mouth. They are made with one or more active ingredients that have effects in the body. 

WHAT IS SLIPPERY ELM

Also known as ulmus fulva. The slippery elm is a plant that is native to North America and used for many herbal treatment. This plant has been in existence for many years and it has healing powers as it can be used to treat boils, ulcers, wounds and inflammation of the skin. The extract of the plant can be taken in orally to relieve stomach problems, cough, sore throat and diarrhea.

Mucilage, a substance that becomes gluey when mixed with water is found in slippery elm and it coats the mouth, throat, stomach and small intestine when it is consumed. There are also antioxidants in this plants and they help to relieve inflammatory bowel disorders. Slippery elm is very effective in fighting ulcers and excess acids in the gastrointestinal tract, it does so by stimulating the nerve endings that are in the gastrointestinal tract.

This stimulation process causes mucus to be secreted more, the increase in mucus secretion protests the tract. To be used for medicinal purposes, the inner bark of the plant is dried and turned into powder. Slippery elm can come in many forms like:

  • Lozenges
  • Teas and extracts
  • Tablets
  • Capsules
  • Poultices 

SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES

These are drugs that can be used to treat cough and sore throat that are caused by excessive talking or shouting, dust and other activities. This drug comes in a solid form can they are dissolved in the mouth before swallowing. This makes it possible for the medicine to coat the throat and mouth to bring relief.

Slippery elm lozenges may taste like candies or sweets but you should know that they are medicines with great medicinal values and benefits. One of the good things about slippery elm lozenges is that they can be taken by children, pregnant women and even vegans. 

Some of that uses of slippery elm lozenges are to treat:

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Indigestion
  • Bladder Inflammation
  • Catarrh
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease 
Slippery Elm Lozenges
Slippery Elm Lozenges

THAYERS SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES

There are many brands that manufacture slippery elm lozenges but one of the oldest is Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges. This brand has been in existence since 1847, it was a brain child of Henry Thayer M.D who decided to open a laboratory on Main Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He developed herbal extracts that he sold to the medical profession. For 170 years, this brand has been delivering effective lozenges that brings natural comfort and relief to the mouth and throat without using menthol. According to the manufacturer’s website.

The nutritional value of each lozenge is:

  • Calories (3.3g)
  • Fat (0g)
  • Sodium (0g)
  • Protein (.046g)
  • Carbohydrates (.46g)
  • Iron (.086g). 

There are variations of Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges, they come in various flavors which makes it easier for consumers to decide their taste. The difference in the flavor does not affect the effectiveness of the medicine. 

1. Thayers Original Slippery Elm Lozenges

This product can be used by singers, vocalizers, salespersons, teachers, speakers and others who usually have issues with their mouth and throat. It does not contain menthol but it can bring relief against cough, sore throat, catarrh and other respiratory issues. They are not made with harmful chemicals as the medicine is made with ingredients like natural slippery elm, vegetable stearate (As a binder) and natural plant sweetener. There is no gluten, lactose or sodium, this makes it best for anyone to use. 

2. Thayers Cherry Slippery Elm Lozenges 

This flavor has been in existence since September 7th, 2016. Thayers cherry slippery elm lozenges is also made from the inner bark of the slippery elm tree (ulmus fulva), it does the function of the original Thayers slippery elm lozenges which is to bring relief and soothe to the mouth and throat but it comes with a cherry flavor. The cherry extract makes it naturally tangy and sweet. This product is natural and without preservatives. There is no gluten, lactose and sodium, it can be used by vegans as well. 

3. Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges Natural Tangerine Flavor 

From the name, this variation has tangerine flavor. It is naturally flavored and has no additives or preservatives. Thayers slippery elm lozenges natural tangerine flavor soothes the mouth and throat while treating cough and other throat issues. It is made with ingredients like inner bark of the slippery elm tree, dextrose, natural tangerine flavor vitamin C, sucrose, rose hips and magnesium stearate. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAYERS SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES

Many people have complained that they are unable to see or get this brand of slippery elm lozenges from supermarkets, grocery stores and even online shops. Well, the truth is that the manufacturers of Thayers slippery elm lozenges have stopped the production of these drugs in all flavors.

This was also confirmed by the manufacturers in the customer questions section of Amazon. This decision was not really accepted by many people who have come to love the product and its benefits. We however, hope that the manufacturers bring back this goodness for customers again.

PLANETARY HERBALS SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES

This is another brand of slippery elm lozenges, it was first made available on September 2009. This product is best described as a herbal supplement and throat support. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is used in making this product and it can bring relief to minor throat irritation caused by dust, excessive talking and other factors. Planetary herbals slippery elm lozenges contain tangerine flavor and this gives them a sweet taste. 

The active ingredient for planetary herbals slippery elm lozenges is inner bark of slippery elm tree. Other ingredients are natural orange tangerine flavor, fructose, stevia leaf extract, hydroxypropyl cellulose, modified cellulose gum, citric acid, silica, and magnesium stearate. 

SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES FOR GERD

Many people ask if slippery elm lozenges can be used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the answer is yes. When the lower esophageal sphincter does not close off the esophagus from the stomach, the result is acid reflux. When this happens, it causes the contents in the stomach to go back up to the esophagus and the esophageal tract becomes inflamed.

People who experience acid reflux often can have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and this leads to other serious health condition. There are many treatment options for this disease and one of them is slippery elm. Mucilage, a substance in slippery elm that becomes gluey when mixed with water provide relief from gastroesophageal reflux disease as it can coat different parts of the body including the mouth, throat, small intestine.

It works by coating damaged and inflamed tissues in the gastrointestinal tract, this brings soothing and relief. It is also beneficial as it helps to stimulate the intestines to produce more mucus, this can help people with ulcer and extra acidity in the stomach.

HOW TO MAKE SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES

If you cannot get slippery elm lozenges, you can easily make them at home. They are very simple to make and can be extremely effective like the ones you buy from supermarkets. You can increase the ingredients depending on the quantity you want.

You only need three ingredients:

  • ¼ cup boiled spring water or tea (you can use licorice root as an expectorant or rose petal)
  • ¼ cup slippery elm powder (this is the most important ingredient)
  • 2 tablespoons of local raw honey

To make slippery elm lozenges:

  1. Pour the slippery elm powder into a large bowl
  2. Put the measured honey in a cup and pour in the freshly brewed tea or hot water into the cup to dissolve the honey
  3. Pour in the sweetened mixture into the bowl of slippery elm powder
  4. Use your hands, spatula or fork to mix the ingredients very well
  5. Roll the mixed ingredients into small sizes like a pea or marble
  6. Roll the balls into leftover slippery elm powder to coat them
  7. You can let them dry on their own or you use a dehydrator before storing in a freezer.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY SLIPPERY ELM LOZENGES

There are many places you can get this medicine including pharmacies and online stores. Brand like Thayers slippery elm lozenges is no longer available so you can go for other brands like planetary herbal, keshi kits natural and others. These products are available in online stores like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, iHerb, Ubuy and others. The price depends on the store, tax and other factors. 

CONCLUSION

Slippery elm lozenges are sweet, flavored medicines that can cure various ailments like cough, catarrh, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers, bladder inflammation, sore throats and others. There are many variations of this medicine like tangerine, cherry and vitamin C. There are many reviews from customers and they have all been good and testimonies of how beneficial and effective these lozenges are. 

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