Slippery Elm
Parts Usually Used
The inner bark
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Slippery elm is an American deciduous tree; grows to a height of 50 feet and more, its stem is covered with dark-brown, rough, furrowed outer bark; the inner bark is whitish and aromatic. Inner bark is very mucilaginous (“slippery”). Its alternate obovate-oblong leaves are thick, stiff, 4-8 inches long with doubly serrate, very rough (sandpapery) on top, and downy underneath. The small dark red, spring flowers grow in dense axillary clusters during March and April.
Papery, round, almost flattened, winged, yellowish green, 1 seeded fruits, about 1/2 inch wide, without hairs on margins; March to May. Other varieties: there are many other species of the genus Ulmus. One of the elms used by the Chinese (Ulmus campestris), called Ling-yu, also known as Ulmus sinensis
Where Found
Found planted along streets and growing in forests from Quebec to Florida, the Dakotas, and Texas. In moist woods, Maine to Florida; Texas to North Dakota.
Medicinal Properties
Mild astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, mucilaginous, nutritive tonic, pectoral
Biochemical Information
Mucilages, tannins
Legends, Myths and Stories
The earth lodges of the southern Plains Indians, the Wichitas, the nations and tribes of the Missouri had timbers laid upon the rafters, willow poles were laid on these timbers and a thatch of dry grass upon these poles. , making, when complete a dome-shaped structure. All structural timbers and poles were fastened by tying with ropes of rawhide or of basswood or elm fiber. When crops failed or long severe winters exhausted food supplies, Native Americans and pioneers alike, were often saved from starvation by the use of sweet or slippery elm bark.
This emergency source of food had the advantage of being available when all other sources of food failed. The use of the bark as food spread with the early colonies until the day when the vast forests were converted into farm lands. The slippery elm was plentiful in the forests then. In 1853, Pierre Lacour, a manufacturer of liquors, bitters, vinegar, etc, states that, “The mucilage of slippery elm bark is used by some for the appearance of age to liquors.
Only 1 oz. of mucilage is used for each 2 gallons of liquor. ”
Uses
Historically, herbalists valued the inner bark primarily for its soothing qualities. It was administered internally for various inflammatory conditions, such as sore throats, coughs, pleurisy, and swollen lymph glands. Traditional practitioners also recommended it for digestive and gastrointestinal complaints, including stomach and gastric ulcers, colitis, gastritis, indigestion, hyperacidity, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids, as well as for gout and urinary issues.
In folk medicine, it was prepared as lozenges for coughs and throat irritation, and it was once brewed as a nutritive broth for convalescents, the elderly, and children experiencing digestive difficulties. Externally, the bark was applied as a poultice to irritated or inflamed skin, burns, scalds, boils, bruises, and general wounds. Historic sources also note its preparation as rectal and vaginal suppositories, enemas, and douches, while some traditions combined it with echinacea and comfrey root powders for topical application to sores.
Warning
Due to its depletion from Dutch Elm Disease, the American elm should be protected against widespread use of its bark. The bark cannot be used without disfiguring or killing a noble tree. Whole trees are stripped of their bark for commercial use, then the tree dies. Care should be taken with severe lung congestion or edema. Consult medical advise.
Bibliography
The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Chinese Medicinal Herbs , compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973. , Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs , by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814) Prairie Smoke , by Melvin R.
Gilmore, Minnesota Historical Society Press, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, copyright 1987. , Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R.
, Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, first printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, in 1928, this Dover edition 1974 An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants , by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992). The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living , by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Co. (1988).
, West Nyack, NY, 1987. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974