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.
The Slippery Elm, when mature, grows to a height of between thirty and sixty feet. The leaves are about six inches long and grow alternately on the branch. They have a rough texture and a coarsely serrated edge. 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 Elm may be distinguished from American Elm by the very short-stalked flowers and by the hairiness of the buds and twigs.
Because of the $23 billion dollar bulk herbs 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.
Some believe slippery elm bark can induce labor, forcing an abortion. When longer pieces of the bark are moistened and inserted into a pregnant woman’s uterus, drugs from the bark are said to cause the woman’s baby to abort. This illegal and immoral practice resulted in so called “Elm Stick Laws” limiting the size of the bark sold in many states. Because of its potential abortafaciant capability, pregnant or lactating women should not take slippery elm internally. This is the only known hazard 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 inner bark is a durable, strong fiber, which can be spun into thread, or made into twine or rope. This quality makes it 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 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.
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