Slippery Elm Bark Benefits and Side Effects
A native to eastern North America, Elm trees may be found from Canada to Georgia, from Texas to Minnesota, but especially in the Appalachian Mountain region. The slippery elm is less affected by the Dutch elm disease that wiped out so may trees in the last few decades. It is also called Indian elm, red elm (because of the wood color), moose elm, and sweet elm.
Slippery Elm is different from the American Elm in that it has hairy buds and very short-stalked flowers. The Slippery Elm grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet and the leaves are about 6 inches long. They grow alternately on the branch, and have a coarsely double-serrated edge and a rough texture. The flowers grow in clusters of ten to twenty, appearing before the leaves in early spring. The fruit contains a single central seed and is half an inch long.
Slippery elms have been the object of poachers because of the $23 billion dollar herb industry in the United States. From mid June to early July the bark is slippery and easy to peel. The trees are stripped and left to die while the bark is sold for great profit.
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.
The early colonists used elm to thicken jelly, to make pudding, to preserve grease, and as a survival mush during long trips. It was used medicinally to treat skin injuries, stomachaches, toothaches, intestinal worms, gout, arthritis, and coughs.
The inner bark was also used to waterproof canoes, baskets, and dwellings. It can be made into a gruel. In times of famine, early American settlers used it as a survival food; George Washington and his troops survived for several days on slippery elm gruel during their bitter winter at Valley Forge.
The inner bark is a durable, strong fiber, which can be spun into thread, or made into twine or rope. This quality makes Slippery elm bark useful for bowstrings, jewelry, ropes, snowshoe bindings, clothing, woven mats, and in some musical instruments. The wood was used for the hubs of wagon wheels because of the wood’s interlocking grain. This made it a natural shock absorber. When the wood is cured, it is excellent for making matchless fires with the bow drill method. This is because the wood grinds into a very fine, flammable powder under friction.
As an internal medication, slippery elm bark is a bulk herb that can be used to relieve ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions and respiratory irritations. The bark has healing properties ideal for treating sore throats or suppressing coughing. External uses include treatment of hemorrhoids, skin conditions, and vaginitis. It has been proven effecting in giving smoother, softer skin.
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 bulk herbs and enjoy their health boosting properties.
