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Slippery elm is truly slippery. So it makes sense that herbalists turn to slippery elm for vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness is most common among women after menopause but, the condition can affect women of any age. There are several herbal remedies that can help relieve the symptoms of vaginal dryness.(1) The subject of vaginal dryness is one that embarrasses many women and happens at some point in her life. We’re not about suffering. And we’re not about keeping silent. So we’ll speak up about treatments that may help. Let’s start with slippery elm.
It’s easy to understand why you should use slippery elm for vaginal dryness. It is a well known herbal remedy, derived from the Ulmus rubra or Ulmus fulva tree, which is grown in many parts of the world.(2) Native Americans would peel slippery elm’s slimy, red inner bark from twigs and branches and use it as a remedy for many common ailments, like fevers, wounds, and sore throats. Slippery elm can create a thick mucilage or demulcent that can be used as an ointment, salve, or lubrication. (3)
The mucilage in slippery elm bark is why it is used for vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness in menopause is due to the thinning of the mucous membranes along with a loss of elasticity in the walls of the vagina.(4) It cannot be broken down by the human digestive tract, so when it coats something, it stays coated for a while. It also contains trace amino acids, manganese, and zinc, which are important for reproductive system health.(5)
Slippery Elm has soothing, lubricating, and healing properties. Slippery elm helps heal internal mucosal tissues, such as the stomach, vagina, and esophagus. When slippery elm is mixed with water, it generates a sticky material known as mucilage, which is therapeutic and soothing to anything it touches. Related: Yoni Steaming Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide
Benefits Of Using Slippery Elm For Vaginal Dryness
1. Soothing Properties
Slippery elm has lots of soothing properties, some people even use it on their pets to soothe irritated skin. It’s very easy for ladies with vaginal dryness to use this type of herb since you can simply make a smoothie or eat it in capsules.
Many women have experienced great results with vaginal dryness using slippery elm powder. You will need to sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the powder into your daily food or drink since most women are not used to the taste of this powder. It’s actually quite nutty and lemony but if you’re desperate it shouldn’t matter!
2. Replenish The Vagina With Essential Nutrients
Don’t expect slippery elm powder to be an overnight cure but over time it will replenish all the essential nutrients that you need in order for your vagina to feel normal again. That’s why many ladies have experienced great success by using this herb daily, especially if they were suffering from vaginal dryness and atrophy. It gets absorbed into the body and helps heal the whole area so overall it works really well. Related: Yoni Steaming Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide
3. Lubricating properties
The lubricating properties of slippery elm make it ideal for vaginal dryness. It can be used on its own or in combination with other remedies. The mucilage contains natural glycosaminoglycans, which are compounds that act as lubricants and moisturizers to relieve dry, irritated tissues (5). When taken orally, the mucilage coats the throat, mouth and digestive tract. This helps prevent ulcers, while soothing gastro-intestinal irritation (7).
5. Heals internal mucosal tissues
Slippery elm bark has components that are mucilaginous, which is basically a gel-like substance. This makes slippery elm bark an effective herb for internal use. Mucilage coats the internal mucosal tissues of your vaginal canal with a thin layer to soothe painful irritation and dryness. Slippery elm bark soothes irritated tissue, speeds up the healing process, moisturizes tissue with its water-attracting properties, reduces swelling and helps regenerate new cells for faster recovery.
6. Soothes symptoms of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are common symptoms of menopause because of estrogen deficiency which leads to weakened collagen production in your body’s connective tissues making it more prone to hemmorhage. Slippery elm bark contains anti-inflammatory compounds that relieve the pain and irritation of hemorrhoids. It also helps stop bleeding from hemorrhoids, speeds up their healing process and controls further bleeding from them.
How to Use Slippery Elm for Vaginal Dryness
There are many methods you can use. We have collected the top 3 that are effective and convenient.
Herbal Ointment
- Mix 2 tablespoons of slippery elm powder with 8 oz of water in a saucepan
- Slowly heat the mixture and stir until thick.
- Remove from heat.
- You can add other natural oils to enhance this ointment like coconut or vitamin E.
- Let the ointment cool, you can also place in the fridge to chill it.
To use: Apply the slippery elm ointment to the vagina and vulva morning and night to improve vaginal dryness. Also, use it as a lubricant during sex.
Slippery Elm Tea
- Pour 2 cups of boiling water over roughly 2 tablespoons of slippery elm powder and steep for a few minutes.
- Drink 3 times per day to treat vaginal dryness
Supplements
Slippery Elm Bark supplements actually come from a tree so it is all-natural. Most supplements come with daily instructions. To take the best amount for vaginal dryness take at least two a day in order to see an improvement.
Slippery elm is available in tablets and capsules, extracts, and mucilaginous drinks, lozenges, finely powdered bark for teas, and coarsely powdered bark for poultices
Other Methods to For Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is an uncomfortable and often painful condition that occurs naturally during and after menopause. Since vaginal dryness can sometimes signal an underlying health problem (such as infection), it’s important to consult your physician if you experience any symptoms of this condition.
Stop using soap to wash up.
Water will work just fine by itself for cleaning inside the vulva and may leave you feeling more comfortable and reduce the chance of experiencing vaginal dryness.
Clean diet.
Choose healthy fats at every meal, lots of veggies, fruits, and clean protein sources. Minimize dairy and grains. Avoid conventionally raised meats.
Exercise.
Engaging in a regular exercise routine may promote blood flow and balance hormone levels. Try walking 30 minutes per day, five days per week to start.
Take care when washing your intimates.
Ditch detergents with dyes and perfumes, using natural laundry products, and skip fabric softener and anti-cling products.
Get good-quality sleep.
Getting good sleep can improve a person’s overall mood and energy levels, and reduce vaginal dryness.
Maintain a healthful weight.
Some scientists link to overweight and obesity to vaginal dryness, along with other factors related to reduced fertility.
Focus on foreplay.
Having better sexual experiences may increase a person’s desire for sex, thereby improving vaginal dryness.
While alternative treatments may help with some symptoms of vaginal dryness, they may not offer enough relief. Herbal treatments like slippery elm have their origins in ancient cultures. Using slippery elm for vaginal dryness is a starting point that will hopefully encourage natural vaginal lubrication and better sexual arousal. Remember to have patience and to give yourself time. Depending on environmental and stress factors, where you are in your menstrual cycle and your current hormone profile, it may take time for your body to respond.
There are other hebs than slippery elm and oatstraw that can help. Ahealthy libido is mainly determined by the hormone equilibrium. Of course, there are menopausal women who cannot use nutrients that increase their libido to the same extent as younger women. Those include women who are menopausal for over 5 to 10 years.
The herb garden offers many different plants that can increase a woman’s libido. But since herbs are not always completely harmless, it is important to always use professional advice when using them.
The following 5 plants can be used safely to increase a woman’s libido.
1. Muira Puama
Muira Puama, also known as potency wood or marapuama, is a small tree that can easily be grown in the garden. The plant’s roots are used to stimulate sexual desire. It is widely used in Brazil to treat urinary tract infections.
Scientists have shown that Muira Puama contains alkaloids, tannins and sterols. It has not yet been completely proven which substances actually improve libido. A 50-milligram extract of Muira Puama was used in one study to improve women’s libido.
2. Damiana
Damiana is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the same family as honeysuckle and kiwi fruit. The plant is native to Central America. Damiana contains alkaloids that have a strong effect on the nervous system and the brain. In traditional medicine it is used to increase men’s and women’s sex drive.
3. Catuaba
Catuaba bark comes from an evergreen tree that grows in Brazil. Catuaba contains a number of active ingredients, including alkaloids and tannins. Catuaba extract is an effective way to treat low sex drive in both men and women. The extract enhances a man’s erection as well as having a stimulating effect on the female libido.
4. Dong Quai
Dong Quai is also known as Chinese angelica root or tang kuei. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat many different conditions, such as menstrual cramps or stomach ulcers. In addition, dong quai has been shown to have a positive effect on the female libido.
5. Maca
Maca, which is also known as Lepidium meyenii, is used mostly to strengthen the body and increase male fertility. These days maca root can be bought in many supermarkets and health food stores. The majority of people use it as a dietary supplement because of its properties as an adaptogen. It has been shown that even small doses of maca can improve mood and libido in both men and women.
Related: 5 Benefits of Maca Root for Curves
Conclusion
Some treatments are aimed at addressing the discomfort of dryness and others deal with the estrogen loss itself to minimize related symptoms. Herbal remedies have been used for several years like conventional medicine. In fact, herbal medicine is the establishment of modern medicine. Some herbs have potent (powerful) ingredients and should be taken with the same level of caution as pharmaceutical medications.
Because slippery elm can coat the digestive tract, it may interfere with the absorption of certain drugs. To avoid this, separate the doses of slippery elm and your other drugs by at least two hours.
Due to the sparsity of research, little is known about the safety of slippery elm.