Herbs: Slippery Elm
by Loring A. Windblad

Common Name: Slippery Elm Bark

Latin Name: Ulmus fulva

Ulmus fulva is only one of the 16 members of the ULMUS or Elm Tree Family. Other forms of the family are considered much less effective. These include:

Ulmus alata {Winged Elm} Ulmus campestris {Cork-Barked Elm} Ulmus Chinensis Ulmus glabra {Scotch or Wych Elm} Ulmus Montana {Scotch or Wych Elm} Ulmus suberosa Fremontia Californica {Californian Slippery Elm} is not related but has some similar medicinal properties.

Slippery elm is one of the valuable remedies in herbal practice with fantastic strengthening and healing properties. It contains as much nutrition as is found in oatmeal. Taken at night it helps to induce sleep. Native to Canada and the US, it can be found growing in the Appalachian Mountains. The inner bark is collected from trees which are at least 10 years old and the bark is mainly powdered for therapeutic use.

Present-day use:

Homeopathic tinctures of slippery elm bark are used for skin problems and ulcerated conditions.

Potters New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs recommends it use for gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Slippery Elm has been used for relief of coughs, asthma and bronchitis. Being rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin A B C and K it helps to feed and soothe organs, tissues and the mucus membranes, especially in the lung.

Slippery elm infusion has been injected into the bowel in serious cases of diarrhea and dysentery where other treatments have failed.

With typhoid fever it cleanses, heals and strengthens the patient.

It not only soothes and heals all that it comes into contact with, but is highly nutritious. Slippery Elm is a wholesome food for the weak and convalescent, from infants to the elderly. It has been used as a heart remedy, cystitis, irritation of the urinary tract and has a great influence on diseases of the female organs.

Mixed with Brewers Yeast and milk it has been used to stop gangrene.

Historical use:

Slippery Elm was traditionally used by Native Americans as a poultice for boils, ulcers and for wounds in general. Internally, it was commonly used for colds or fevers and to soothe an irritated digestive system - one of its main uses today.

The Slippery part of Slippery Elm refers to the texture of the herb. This is because of the large mucilage content of Slippery Elm, which is also responsible for its wonderful healing and soothing action. In most herbal literature this is termed a demulcent or an emollient agent, which means it is a soothing substance.

Typical Dosage:

Powder/tea drink - Mix 1 tsp herb with a little water to a paste. Slowly add half a pint or so of boiling water, stirring or whisking all the time. Drink 2-3 cups daily.

Capsules 325mg - 1-8 capsules 3 times daily.

Or follow the instructions on any proprietary pack of a Slippery Elm product being used.

Slippery Elm is often combined with other digestive herbs, such as Aniseed, Peppermint or Cardamon. You may also come across many products formulated for the bowel or kidneys and urinary tract which contain Slippery Elm and other herbs. Find a product which works for you - either the single herb or a combination of herbs - and continue for a full course of treatment.

CULPEPER Bathing in a deconcoction of the leaves, bark or root heals broken bones. The deconcoction of the bark of the root mollifies hard tumours and the shrinking of the sinews.

Slippery Elm is a very important component in an ancient native North American herbal decoction, usually available as either powder to brew a tea from or as a liquid tonic itself. It is known variously by many names, but most commonly as Essiac. The basic Essiac Ingredients are.

1.Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) 2.Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) 3.Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) 4. Turkey Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum)

Most authors consider slippery elm the soothing and digestive stimulant part of the Rene Caisse Formula. To do this is to ignore the fact that slippery elm contains polysaccharide and beta sitosterol, with their demonstrated anti tumour activity.

Note: A Modern Herbal by Mrs. Grieves, written in the 1930s, gives different preparations and combinations of Slippery Elm for poultices and ointments. Go to www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/e/elmsli09.html to find the online version of Mrs. Grieves text on Slippery Elm and its uses.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

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