Slippery Elm

[Guest guest]

Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)

 

Identification:

Slippery elm is an American deciduous tree found planted along streets

and growing in forests. It 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, aromatic, and very mucilaginous (slippery). Its

alternate, obovate-oblong leaves are doubly serrate, very rough on top,

and downy underneath. The small flowers grow in dense axillary clusters

during March and April, giving way to papery, winged, yellowish-green, 1

seeded fruits, about 1/2 inch wide, without hairs on margins.

Family: Ulmaceae (Elm family)

Other Names: Red Elm, Indian Elm, Sweet Elm

Flowers: March - May

Parts Used: Inner bark

Habitat: Moist woods. Maine to Florida; Texas to North Dakota.

Constituents: Mucilage, polyuronides, starch, tannin.

Medicinal Properties:

Properties: Demulcent, diuretic, emollient.

Main Uses: Slippery elm is both food and medicine. The inner bark is

one of the best soothing remedies useful wherever there is inflammation.

It lubricates and relieves gastro-intestinal irritation. It is good for

diarrhea (for which it has also been prescribed as an enema) because it

is also mildly astringent. The finely powdered bark makes a nourishing

food, easily assimilated during convalescence. It can be flavored with a

little cinnamon or nutmeg, and it makes a wholesome food for children.

Collection of the inner bark usually leads to destruction of the tree.

Because of the worldwide demand for slippery elm, the fine powdered

inner bark is in short supply and the coarser outer bark is substituted.

This lacks the healing power of the inner bark.

Uses: Internally it is helpful where inflammatory irritation exists,

as in sore throat, diarrhea, dysentery, and many urinary problems.

Externally it is applied as poultice to irritated and inflamed skin,

wounds and boils. It has also been used to make rectal and vaginal

suppositories, enemas, and a vaginal douche.

Preparation And Dosages:

Infusion: Steep 2 oz or more of inner bark in 1 quart water for an hour

or longer. Take 1 teaspoon every 30 minutes. Sweeten with honey or syrup

if desired.

Decoction: Add 1 heaping tablespoon inner bark to 1 pint boiling-hot

water and let stand for 1 hour. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few

minutes. Then let stand for another hour, boil and simmer again.

NOTE: The slippery elm should be protected against widespread use of its

bark. The bark cannot be used without disfiguring or killing a noble tree.

***

 

 

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public".

Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

Check Out My Groups:

 

Everything Natural

http://health./

Everything Magick

EverythingMagick/