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Slippery elm

Slippery elm suppliers and sourcing guide

Slippery elm is the inner bark of Ulmus rubra, a North American elm. Bark is stripped from trees, mostly wild-harvested in the eastern United States, and the inner layer is separated, dried, and sold cut or milled into powder. The bark is rich in mucilage, and buyers usually purchase inner bark powder for lozenges, capsules and teas.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Ulmus rubra · Ulmus fulva · red elm · slippery elm bark
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of slippery elm

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Inner bark powder

    Dried, milled inner bark, sold by mesh. The most common form.

  • Cut and sifted bark

    Dried inner bark cut for teas and infusions.

  • Whole bark strips

    Dried inner bark strips for further processing.

  • Organic or wild-harvested

    Bark from certified organic wild collection, with harvest region documented.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic and microscopic examination confirming inner bark of Ulmus rubra, plus HPTLC where a reference is available.
Swelling index
Swelling index or viscosity as a measure of mucilage content.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella (often Staphylococcus aureus too). Bark powders are often steam treated to bring counts down.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density, color and odor against the spec. Include foreign matter and outer bark content.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry place. The mucilage pulls in moisture, so humid storage causes caking and mold growth. Shelf life or retest dates come from the supplier's spec.

Lots and expiry dates

Supply is largely wild-harvested, so mucilage level, color and microbial load vary by region and season. Record supplier lot, harvest region and any steam treatment, and check outer bark content.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Slippery elm suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking slippery elm suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell slippery elm? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of slippery elm can brands buy?

Common forms include inner bark powder, cut and sifted bark, whole bark strips and organic or wild-harvested. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for slippery elm include?

Expect identity, swelling index, heavy metals, microbiology and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should slippery elm be stored?

Store powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry place. The mucilage pulls in moisture, so humid storage causes caking and mold growth. Shelf life or retest dates come from the supplier's spec.

What is the regulatory status of slippery elm?

Health Canada's throat lozenges natural health product monograph lists Ulmus rubra (slippery elm) with the inner stem bark as the source part. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Ulmus rubra (POL-NF-00762) concerns only the bark and lists it as not novel in food supplements.

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