Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have used slippery elm for digestive issues. Just ordered this and it found it smells very strongly of slippery elm so I believe it is what it purports to be. It is ground very fine, like a flour or powder. TIP: Boil it to get the thick slippery texture. I see people just mixing this into shakes and things and that may be ok, but I have always BOILED my slippery elm in water. If you do this you will have no doubt that this is slippery elm as the liquid will get a bit thick from the slippery elm goodness. I put 1 teaspoon of the powder into 2 cups of water in a pot on the stove and boil for at least 2 minutes. If I add to hot water it does not get as thick, if I add to cold water it does not get as thick, but if you boil it for 2 minutes you will see and feel the difference. Boil this stuff then try to put it through the strainer, it is like thin jell-o and will strain through very slowly because of the thick slippery substance that this bark is named from. I am no expert but experience has shown me that you have to boil it to get the thickness and slipperiness you want for your gut. If I were preparing this for an animal I would boil it and store the boiled mixture in a jar and add the liquid to the food. For myself I boil and drink like a warm tea or cool and drink it from the fridge watered down. Addendum: I tried a cold soak (1 teaspoon to 2 cups water in a shaker - let it soak overnight in the fridge) and the mixture did thicken comparable to a boil. If you eat the powder in a shake or with liquid it might thicken inside the stomach, but I think I will continue to boil and drink or soak overnight before ingesting to be sure that the slippery elm goodness is extracted from the powder to be sure I get the full benefit of the slickness.