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Slippery Elm - Uses and Benefits
Alternative Names:
American elm,Ulmus fulva, Red elm, Moose elm, Indian elm, Rock elm, Sweet elm, Winged elm.
Herb Description
Slippery elm is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to Canada and the US,recognized by its "slippery" inner bark.The bark is deeply furrowed and brownish red. The inner bark is gathered from trees which are at least 10 years old, and is mainly powdered for therapeutic purpose. It can grow well and may reach 132 ft on moist, rich soils of lower slopes & flood plains, it may also appear on dry hillsides with limestone soils.The leaves are 10-18 cm long, pointed at the tip , doubly toothed and an oblique base with a rough texture. It flowers in late winter or early spring , in clusters of 10-20 and are tiny, green, and hairy.The fruit are tiny, flat, winged and circular, 2 cm long containing a single seed in the center.
Slippery elm contains mucilage, a long chain of polysaccharides that make a slippery substance when added with water. This mucilage is believed to ebb the digestive system. Slippery elm is also a excellent food supplement and is easy to digest, making it an good food during times of digestive discomfort & used as a gruel for infants, invalids and peoples with intestinal inflammation. Slippery elm also has astringent property, tightening the areas on which it contacts, acting an effective resistance to bacterial infection and alleviating diarrhoea.
Properties
- Astringent.
- Antitussive.
- Demulcent.
- Diuretic.
- Emollient.
- Expectorant.
- Nutritive.
Uses and Benefits
Slippery elm act as a excellent food gives better results in the following:
- Gastritis.
- Gastric catarrh.
- Mucous colitis.
- Enteritis.
It has great advantage in bronchitis, bleeding from the lungs,soothing a cough ,consumption and preventing wasting.
Externally Slippery Elm makes a wonderful medical dressing , applied locally,for taking out toxins, especially those areas which are associated with boils, spots or abscesses and can assist the removal of splinters.when applied to wounds, burns and inflammation of any kind show good results .Slippery Elm will help to reduce, heal and ebb swelling and pain.used
Internally Slippery Elm can be taken to cure many different types of digestive problems, for example:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ,Inflammation of the gut or colic , Colitis and diverticulitis, give an instant relief to acid indigestion or 'reflux' ,ulcers anywhere in the gut (stomach & intestines), if mixed with a banana and powdered Marshmallow .In diarrhoea,Slippery Elm mixed with a banana and powdered Marshmallow give good results.
Slippery Elm is a great food for debilitated states, and as a baby food due to it nutritive property. It can also be beneficial for urinary infections for example cystitis .Traditionally, It is also reported to reduce chest pain, lung and bronchial conditions .It has been used orally to reduce irritation or ulceration of the stomach and intestines. Topically or locally, Slippery Elm has been taken for toothaches, cold sores, burns, abcesses, boils, ulcers, and other skin problems.Inner bark is a strong and durable fibre, can be used for bow strings,woven mats, ropes, jewellery, clothing, snowshoe bindings, and even some musical instruments.
Side Effects
Using slippery elm is not recommended for pregnant women & breast-feeding a baby.
Touching slippery elm products or breathing elm tree pollen may lead to allergic reactions in persons who are sensitive to them.
Some allergic reaction has been reported with the use of topical slippery elm like Itching or hives,swelling on face or hand, swelling or tingling in mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing, or rash.
Dosage
- Recommended Dose :
Take 2 to 4 gm three times per day in 500mg capsules.
- Powdered bark:
1:8 as decoction, 4-16ml
- Liquid Extract:
1:1 in 60% alcohol, 5ml take 3 times per day
- Tea:
Pour 1 cup of hot water over 1 teaspoonful of Slippery Elm powder.Take 3 times in a day.
- Paste:
Mix the powder herb with water to form a paste to apply on a wound or a burn.
Drug Interactions
Slippery elm contains mucilage, a long chain of sugars can interfere with the absorption of other medicines within the gut if they are used at the same time .Consult to doctor at an alternate time to consuming slippery elm bark.
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