Elm is a nutritive, vulnerary herb, used to soothe digestive problems and calm inflammation of the respiratory system. It contains mucilage, responsible for its demulcent and emollient properties and polysaccharides that make it water-soluble (swell and retain water). It also contains flavonoids, tannins (astringent), coumarins, starch, proteins, phytosterols and calcium.

Slippery elm is used to soothe irritated or inflamed digestive mucosa. Healing and calming, its prebiotic properties allow beneficial digestive bacteria to multiply. It is a herb of choice for reintroducing foods after gastroenteritis, inflammatory flare ups due to irritable bowel syndrome and chronic gastric reflux. It is also given to infants suffering from repeated vomiting or violent regurgitation. For this purpose, it can be mixed with small quantities of breast milk. Finally, small sips of slippery elm are taken to soothe irritated vocal cords.