Elm trees may be found growing throughout the eastern United States and even into Canada. They are especially found in the Appalachian Mountain region. The Dutch elm disease that ravaged so many of the other species did not affect the slippery elm much. It is also called sweet elm, red elm (because of the wood color), moose elm, and Indian 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 herb 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 has abortafaciant capabilities. When the bark is moistened and inserted into a pregnant woman’s uterus, she may abort her baby. This practice resulted in so called “Elm Stick Laws” in many states limiting the size of the bark sold. Because slippery elm bark may have this effect, women who are pregnant or lactating should avoid using slippery elm. This is the only caution known in taking the herb.
Elm was used by colonists to make pudding, to thicken jelly, to preserve grease, and as a survival food on long trips. It was used medicinally to treat toothaches, skin injuries, gout, arthritis, stomachaches, coughs, and intestinal worms.
As a gruel it was used during times of famine. George Washington, for example, kept his troops alive on it for several days during their bitter winter at Valley Forge. The inner bark was also ideal for waterproofing the early settlers’ dwellings, canoes, and baskets.
The fibrous inner bark is a strong and durable fiber, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. Once cured, the wood is ideal for making matchless fires with the bow drill method; the wood grinds into a very fine, flammable powder under friction. Slippery elm bark can also be used for jewelry, bowstrings, ropes, snowshoe bindings, clothing, woven mats, and can be used to make some musical instruments. The interlocking grain of the wood made it a natural shock absorber when used for the hubs of wagon wheels, for it acted as a natural shock absorber.
Taken externally, slippery elm bark is a bulk dried herb that has been used to treat vaginitis, skin conditions, and hemorrhoids, or to give softer, smoother skin. Internally, many benefit from its use as a cough medicine or to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, sore throats, ulcers, and respiratory irritations.
The recommended dosage is three 500 mg capsules daily for adults. Tea can be made with one part slippery elm powder to eight parts water. It can also be added to oatmeal or juice. For a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water. Apply to the needed area when cool. For children, remember that herbal dosages are generally calculated for a 150 lb adult. If a child weighs 50 lb, the correct dose is 1/3 of the adult dosage.
So, get bulk herbs for sale and enjoy their body balancing properties.