Hello!
You are in safe hands with Dazy who probably has every possible way of taking slippery elm in front of her most of the time!
My advice would be start low and ramp up. IBS is not a one size fits all disorder and anything new you try should be introduced gradually. That being so, and assuming you have the powder, I'd start off with a teaspoon of it in a pint of warm water or a herbal tea you already know you tolerate well. Split that into 3 doses to have before meals. Gradually increase the amount so you end up using 3 teaspoons to that pint, still split over 3 doses before meals. That would be the optimum dose, I think.
If taking capsules, I would split the capsule open and start off using half the dose recommended on the packet initially and gradually ramp up as well.
Its worth being extra cautious with an irritable bowel as any change - even beneficial change - can upset things if its not made gradually.
Given the serotonin connection with IBS its maybe worth considering eating a small baked potato before bed (which is enough to enhance uptake of tryptophan from any protein earlier in the day and also provides soluble fibre) Don't introduce that at the same time though or you won't know which is benefitting you!
