Benefits and Side Effects of Slippery Elm Bark
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.
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.
Poachers destroy thousands of slippery elms by stripping the bark in mid June to early July when it is especially easy to peel. Then they sell it for its medicinal value, getting their cut in the $23 billion dollar herb industry in the United States.
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 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 fibrous inner bark is a strong and durable fiber, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. Once cured, the wood is ideal for making matchless fires with the bow drill method; the wood grinds into a very fine, flammable powder under friction. Slippery elm bark can also be used for jewelry, bowstrings, ropes, snowshoe bindings, clothing, woven mats, and can be used to make some musical instruments. The interlocking grain of the wood made it a natural shock absorber when used for the hubs of wagon wheels, for it acted as a natural shock absorber.
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.
The recommended dosage for a 150 pound adult is three 500 mg capsules daily. To make a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water until the desired consistency is reached. Then, when cool, apply it where needed. The proportion for making slippery elm tea is one part powder to eight parts water. One can also sprinkle the powder on oatmeal or in juice. Children’s dosage should be determined proportional to their weight.
So, get bulk herbs for sale and enjoy their health boosting properties.
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