Slippery Elm Bark Benefits and Side Effects
Elm trees may be found growing throughout the eastern United States and even into Canada. They are especially found in the Appalachian Mountain region. The Dutch elm disease that ravaged so many of the other species did not affect the slippery elm much. It is also called sweet elm, red elm (because of the wood color), moose elm, and Indian elm.
The Slippery Elm grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet. The leaves are about 6 inches long, growing alternately on the branch, and have a rough texture and coarsely double-serrated edges. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring in clusters of ten to twenty. The fruit is half an inch long containing a single central seed. Slippery Elm may be distinguished from American Elm by the hairiness of the buds and twigs and by the very short-stalked flowers.
Because of the $23 billion dollar herb industry in the United States, slippery elms have been the object of poachers. The bark is slippery and easy to peel from mid June to early July so thieves destroy the trees by removing the bark to sell for its medicinal value.
One illegal and immoral use of the bark is as an abortafaciant. Longer pieces of the bark are moistened with water, then inserted into a pregnant woman’s uterus. Drugs from the bark are said to induce an abortion. This practice resulted in so called “Elm Stick Laws” in many states limiting the size of the bark sold. Because of this possible effect, pregnant or lactating women should avoid using slippery elm. There are no other documented hazards in taking the herb.
Elm was used by colonists to make pudding, to thicken jelly, to preserve grease, and as a survival food on long trips. It was used medicinally to treat toothaches, skin injuries, gout, arthritis, stomachaches, coughs, and intestinal worms.
The inner bark was also used to waterproof baskets, canoes, and dwellings. As mentioned above, in times of famine, early American settlers used it as a survival food. George Washington’s troops survived partly on slippery elm gruel during their winter at Valley Forge.
The inner bark of slippery elm is a strong and durable fiber, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. It can be used for bowstrings, ropes, jewelry, clothing, snowshoe bindings, woven mats, and can even be used in some musical instruments. The wood was used for the hubs of wagon wheels, as it is very shock resistant because of the wood’s interlocking grain. Once cured, the wood is also excellent for making matchless fires with the bow drill method, for the wood grinds into a very fine, flammable slippery elm bark powder under friction.
Taken internally, slippery elm bark is a bulk dried herb that can be used to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, ulcers, and respiratory irritations. The bark also contains a substance that is used by some as a remedy for sore throats or as a cough medicine. External uses include treatment of skin conditions, vaginitis, and hemorrhoids. It will also make the skin smoother and softener.
Internally, adults should take three 500 mg capsules daily. To make tea, use one part slippery elm powder to eight parts water. You can also add the powder to oatmeal or juice. For a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water until the desired consistency is reached. Then apply to the needed area. The above herbal dosages are generally calculated for a 150 lb adult. Children’s dosage should be calculated proportionally by weight.
So, buy herbs in bulk and enjoy their health boosting properties.
Tags: slippery elm, slippery elm bark, slippery elm bark powder
