Slippery elm
(Ulmus rubra, or U. fulva)
Also called: American elm, Indian elm, moose elm, red elm, rock elm, sweet elm, winged elm.
Description: Slippery elm is an American deciduous tree found planted along
streets and growing in forests from Quebec to Florida, the Dakotas, and Texas.
Growing to a height of 50 feet and more, its stem is covered with dark-brown,
rough, furrowed outer bark; the inner bark is whitish and aromatic.
Its alternate,
obovate-oblong leaves are doubly serrate, very rough on top, and downy underneath.
The small flowers grow in dense axillary clusters during March and April
Parts Used: The inner bark.
Properties and Uses: Anti-tussive, cleansing, demulcent, expectorant,
healing, nutrient: topically emollient, diuretic.
The
inner bark of slippery elm is mucilaginous, providing a protective coating
for the stomach, so it is ideal for soothing the mucous membranes branes
in cases of gastritis, ulceration and heartburn.
As well as being extremely soothing and demulcent, slippery elm is also highly
nutritious and is a useful dietary supplement in debility and convalescence.
Internally it is also helpful where inflammatory irritation exists, as in
sore throat, diarrhea, dysentery, and many urinary problems.
Externally it is
applied as a poultice to irritated and inflamed skin and to wounds.
It has
also been used to make rectal and vaginal suppositories, enemas, and a vaginal
douche.
It is always sold powdered and can be made into a gruel by mixing half a
teaspoonful with a little water to form a paste and then adding enough boiling
water or milk to make up to a cup.
The gruel can be flavoured with honey and a little cinnamon.
The powder can also be added to porridge or muesli.
Slippery elm tablets are worth
keeping in the household medicine chest as
a useful remedy for indigestion and they can be taken before a journey to combat
travel sickness.
A couple of tablets a party can reduce the likelihood
of a hangover as the stomach coating will help reduce alcohol absorption.
Externally slippery elm can be used, as a cream or with the powder made into a poultice, to soothe wounds and burns and it is also available in ointments (sometimes combined with marshmallow) as a drawing remedy for splinters and boils.
The bark of the slippery or red elm was one of the most widely used of Native
American medicines.
The Ozark people took it for colds and bowel complaints,
the Houmas used it for dysentery and the Missouri valley tribes used a decoction
as a laxative.
Preparation and Dosage:
Infusion: Steep 2 oz. or more of inner bark in 1 qt. water for an hour or
longer. Take 1 tsp. every 30 minutes. Sweeten with honey or syrup if desired
Decoction: Add 1 heaping tbsp. inner bark to 1 pint boiling-hot water and
let stand for 1 hour. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. Then
let stand for another hour, boil and simmer again.
NOTE: Due to its depletion from Dutch Elm Disease, the American elm should be protected against widespread use of its bark. The bark cannot be used without disfiguring or killing a noble tree.
