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Elm trees are native to eastern North America from Canada to Georgia,
from Texas to Minnesota, but especially in the Appalachian Mountain
region. The slippery elm is less susceptible to the Dutch elm disease
that ravaged so many of the other species. It is also called red elm,
Indian elm, moose elm, and sweet elm.
Slippery Elm is different from the American Elm in that it has hairy
buds and very short-stalked flowers. The Slippery Elm grows to a height
of 30 to 60 feet and the leaves are about 6 inches long. They grow
alternately on the branch, and have a coarsely double-serrated edge and
a rough texture. 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 elms have been the object of poachers because of the $23
billion dollar herb industry in the United States. From mid June to
early July the bark is slippery and easy to peel. The trees are
stripped and left to die while the bark is sold for great profit.
One illegal and immoral use of the bark is as an abortafaciant. Longer
pieces of the bark are moistened with water, then inserted into a
pregnant woman?s uterus. Drugs from the bark are said to induce an
abortion. This practice resulted in so called ?Elm Stick Laws? in many
states limiting the size of the bark sold. Because of this possible
effect, pregnant or lactating women should avoid using slippery elm.
There are no other documented hazards 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.
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 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.
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.
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