How to Make Slippery Elm Digestive Lozenges for Gentle Herbal Support

 

If you’re looking for a natural way to support digestive comfort and throat wellness, Slippery Elm is a time-honored herbal ally. Known for its soothing, coating properties, it helps calm irritation and maintain internal balance, making it ideal for on-the-go wellness support.

This simple, two-ingredient recipe creates gentle herbal lozenges that are easy to make, travel-friendly, and a great alternative to more aggressive options like activated charcoal.

 

What Is Slippery Elm?

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) is a tree native to North America. The inner bark is traditionally used for its ability to:

• Support the body’s natural protective barriers
• Promote comfort in the throat and digestive tract
• Help maintain normal mucosal lining
• Provide a gentle, soothing experience

When mixed with moisture, Slippery Elm becomes mucilaginous, meaning it forms a gel-like substance that coats and calms surfaces it touches.

 

Ingredients

• Slippery Elm powder
  (Choose sustainably farmed sources—not wildcrafted—to help preserve native trees.)
• Raw honey
  (Local honey is a great option when available.)
• 📝 Note: Because honey varies in moisture content and humidity can impact consistency, exact measurements aren’t provided. This recipe is based on feel—much like baking bread.

Tools You’ll Need

• Glass bowl
• Stainless steel fork
• Flat surface for kneading
• Rolling pin and pizza cutter (optional)
• Wax paper (optional)
• Dehydrator or oven (optional for long-term storage)

How to Make Herbal Digestive Lozenges

1. Start with raw honey: Pour your desired amount into a bowl.
2. Add Slippery Elm powder gradually: Stir in small amounts using a fork until the mixture becomes dough-like. Avoid adding too much at once to keep the texture balanced.
3. Knead: On a flat surface dusted with more Slippery Elm powder, knead the dough like bread. Continue adding powder as needed to prevent sticking.
4. Shape: Option 1: Roll small portions into bite-sized balls. Option 2: Roll the dough flat and cut into strips or squares.
5. Dust and dry: Coat each piece with a light layer of Slippery Elm powder to prevent sticking.
6. Dry for longevity (optional but helpful): Place on wax paper. Dehydrate at low temperature (24–48 hours) or use your oven on its lowest setting (24–72 hours).
7. Store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Thanks to the preservative nature of honey, these can stay fresh for extended periods.

 

Customization Ideas

• Roll squares into uniform balls for consistent sizing
• Use a dough hook and stand mixer for larger batches
• Blend in other herbal powders like ginger, marshmallow root, or cinnamon for added wellness support
• Try using herbal-infused honey for enhanced flavor and functionality

A Thoughtful Herbal Addition to Your Wellness Toolkit

These homemade slippery elm lozenges are a gentle, functional way to support your body’s natural comfort and balance in digestion and throat health. Whether you're preparing for seasonal changes, travel, or simply looking for a daily herbal ritual, these lozenges offer simplicity, tradition, and natural support in every bite.

This recipe is inspired by April Graham (@she_is_of_the_woods), a trusted voice in the herbal community. We honor and thank her for sharing her wisdom.