Urinary tract infections, which are also known as UTIs, are caused by a bacteria within your urinary system. This bacteria can cause symptoms such as cloudy or reddish colored urine, burning sensations during urination as well as pain/pressure within the lower portion of your abdomen. While treatment for urinary tract infections typically involve prescription and over-the-counter medications, slipper elm tea may also be used as a natural remedy for UTIs. If you are interested in taking slipper elm for a urinary tract infection, you should discuss the safety of this herb with your physician, especially if you are taking medications for a UTI or other medical condition.
Slipper Elm Active Constituents:
The main active constituent within this herb is mucilage, which is a unique substance because when it comes in contact with water it immediately begins to thicken into a gel to coat your mouth, stomach and digestive system. Because of this, slipper elm tea is often used as a natural remedy for a sore throat or upset stomach. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that mucilage also contains a high concentration of antioxidants, which are known to eliminate free radicals from your system.
Evidence of Use:
According to Dr. Eyal Lebel, who is a Traditional Chinese Medicine expert, the use of slipper elm may help soothe and protect the walls of your bladder by increasing the production of mucus membranes within this organ. While this is a traditional use for this herb that dates back thousands of years, there is no solid scientific evidence to support or deny this claim. Because of this, it is vital that you take extreme precaution when using slipper elm tea for a bladder infection and only do so under the supervision of your doctor.
How to Take:
If you are interested in using slipper elm as a natural remedy for a urinary tract infection, you should know how to properly prepare the tea. According to information cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center, you should bring two cups of water to a boil, and then pour this boiling water over two tablespoons of powdered slippery elm bark, which is available at any herbal shop. Allow the tea to steep for three minutes, strain the bark and immediately consume. You may drink up to three cups of this concoction per day.
References Used:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urinary-tract-infection/DS00286
Mayo Clinic: Urinary Tract Infections
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/slippery-elm-000274.htm
University of Maryland Medical Center: Slippery Elm
http://drlebeltcm.com/treatments/urinary-tract-infection-and-interstitial-cystitis/
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Urinary Tract Infection and Interstitial Cystitis