Slippery Elm

Slippery elm was held in high regard back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries in America. Great elm forests covered the East and even in cities, the slippery elm bark was always close at hand. The bark was soaked in water and wrapped around meats to prevent spoiling before the days of refrigeration.

The bark was also ground up and mixed with water to be molded into bandages. They even made an oatmeal-like mixture with it to treat sore throats, coughs, colds, and gastrointestinal problems. Slippery elm sore throat lozenges were a common fixture in home medicine cabinets.

Native American women inserted slippery elm sticks to induce abortion, and white women adopted the practice, which caused many deaths from infection and hemorrhaging. By the time of the Civil War, slippery elm was being used to treat syphilis, gonorrhea, and hemorrhoids. Some thought it safe enough to mix with milk and give to newborn who were being weaned off their mother’s milk.

Slippery Elm Uses Today

Even the FDA, which is usually critical of herbal medicines, calls slippery elm an excellent soothing agent. The herb’s bark is rich in a soluble fiber that swells and becomes spongy when mixed with water. When applied to cleaned wounds, slippery elm bark dries to form an herbal bandage.

Slippery elm extract helps soothe the throat and digestive tract. Slippery elm has a long history of being used by pregnant women.

Slippery Elm Myth

Slippery elm has never been shown to speed the healing of broken bones. This is a myth and should be disregarded.

Slippery Elm Safe Dosages

To make a bandage for wounds, grind the bark coarsely and stir with enough water to make a paste and apply to the affected area. For a soothing tea, use 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered herb for every cup of boiling water. You may need to blend more than usual to prevent lumpiness. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. You can drink up to 3 cups of slippery elm a day.

Slippery Elm Safety

Allergic reactions are possible. Otherwise, there are no reports of slippery elm causing harm. If a wound becomes increasingly warm, red, painful, or inflamed, seek medical attention.

Slippery elm is a soothing herb and typically recommended for skin problems, sore throats, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, colitis, and other gastrointestinal complaints. It is regarded as one of the safest herbs. While slippery elm is no  longer given to children under the age of two, it had been used for centuries for young and old alike to soothe whatever ails you.