Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties | Biochemical Information
Legends, Myths and Stories | Uses | Formulas or Dosages | How Sold | Warning | Bibliography
Scientific Names
- Ulmus rubra L.
- Ulmus fulva L.
- Ulmaceae
- Urticaceae
- Elm family
Common Names
- American elm
- Indian elm
- Moose elm
- Rock elm
- Slippery elm
- Sweet elm
- Winged elm
- Yu (Chinese name)
Parts Usually Used
The inner bark
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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
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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.
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Medicinal Properties
Mild astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, mucilaginous, nutritive tonic, pectoral
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Biochemical Information
Mucilages, tannins
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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. A covering of earth was built up about the walls and over the roof to a total thickness of about 2 ft., 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. When too much is added, it will be observed floating in the form of flaky particles, which will have to be removed by straining.”
Culpeper states that “The roots of the Elm, boiled for a long time in water, and the fat arising on top thereof, being clean skimmed off, and the place anointed therewith that is grown bald, and the hair fallen away, will quickly restore them again.”
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Uses
The inner bark is noted primarily for its soothing properties. Internally it is helpful for inflammatory irritations, as in sore throat, relieves pain of gastric ulcers, colitis, flatulence, hemorrhoids, constipation, gastritis, diarrhea, gout, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, hyperacidity and indigestion, dysentery, coughs, pleurisy, swollen lymph glands, and many urinary problems. Externally, it is applied as a poultice to irritated and inflamed skin, bleeding from the lungs, ulcers, swollen prostate, burns, boils, scalds, felons, painful bruises, debility, and wounds. It has been used to make rectal and vaginal suppositories, enemas, and a vaginal douche. Has been made into lozenges for sore throat and cough.
Once used as a nutritive broth for children, the elderly, and convalescing patients who had difficulty consuming or digesting food.
For gangrenous wounds, suppurating sores, and bed sores, combine it with equal parts of echinacea and comfrey root powders.
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Formulas or Dosages
Infusion: steep 2 oz. or more of inner bark in 1 qt. water for an hour or longer. Take 1 tsp. every 30 minutes. Sweeten with honey a dash of cinnamon, or syrup if desired.
Decoction: add 1 heaping tbsp. inner bark to 1 pint boiling 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.
Tea: Three tbsp. of inner bark in a cup of hot water makes a thick, mucilaginous tea.
Poultice: stir ground slippery elm bark in water or any strong herb tea, to the consistency of a thick paste. It is excellent for inflamed sores. Or mix 1/3 part lobelia with 2/3 part slippery elm. Good for blood poisoning, boils, and abscesses.
Poultice: Make a regular slippery elm poultice; mix a yeast cake with warm water and add to the slippery elm. This poultice will bring boils and abscesses to a head and keep gangrene from developing.
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How Sold
Lozenges: take 1 for up to 3 times daily.
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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.
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Bibliography
The Herb Book
Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs
Prairie Smoke
The Herbalist Almanac
Back to Eden
The Complete Medicinal Herbal
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants
Indian Herbalogy of North America
Old Ways Rediscovered
Planetary Herbology
American Folk Medicine
Webster’s New World Dictionary
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts
An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants
The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living
Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists
The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine
The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book)
