Page 258 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Slippery Elm,
Ulmus rubra

Many people with Crohn’s Disease and other digestive
upsets feel that Slippery Elm is a miracle herb. After
one cup of tea, it is easy to understand the origin of the
name; the inner bark makes a thick, slippery mucilage
of a tea that you can almost eat with a spoon. Native to
Eastern North America, slippery elm prefers moist for-
ests. It is also called Indian Elm, Moose Elm, and
Sweet Elm. It is in the Ulmaceae (Elm) Family.

Identification: This deciduous tree grows to be-
tween 40 to 60 feet (12.1 meters to 18 meters). The al-
ternate leaves are oval and approximately 4 to 7 inches Crohn’s Disease, Digestive Disorders,
(10 cm t0 17.5 cm) long. The leaves have a rough, sand- Leaky Gut, and Diverticulitis: Here is where
paper-like texture on top and are soft and hairy on the slippery elm really shines. People with Crohn’s and ir-
underside. The edges are sharply double-toothed and ritable bowel disease achieve great relief from Slippery
distinctly uneven at the base. The leaves are often red- Elm Bark Tea or Tincture, often describing it as a mir-
dish when emerging from the bud, turning dark green acle cure. It also works for other forms of digestive
as they mature, and then a dull yellow in the autumn. problems and stomach pain. It has a calming effect on
Flowers are drooping clusters and fruits appear in the digestive tract and helps with leaky gut repair as
March to May and are papery, winged, circular, flat, well.
and yellowish-green. Each fruit has one seed about 1/2
inch (1.25 cm) wide and hairless. Colic: Slippery elm is safe for use with children and is
nourishing. It comforts the digestive tract and soothes
Medicinal Use: The medicinally valuable inner the distress of colic.
bark is white and mucilaginous. I use slippery elm
most often as bark tea, by chewing on a piece of bark, Heartburn and GERD: Slippery elm bark coats
or as a tincture. the esophagus, helping with irritation from acid reflux.
Coughs and Sore Throats, Bronchitis, Pleu- Urinary Tract Infections: Slippery elm has me-
risy, and Tuberculosis: When the fresh bark is dicinal compounds that release the UTI from the body
available, chew on a small piece to relieve a cough or a and help it heal. It isn’t antibacterial but helps coat the
sore throat. Slippery elm is even used in modern-day urinary tract for healing and to stop bacteria from at-
throat lozenges. Slippery Elm Inner Bark Tea will re- taching.
lieve throat irritation and helps treat respiratory dis- Boils, Cold Sores, and Cuts: Mix a small portion
eases. It produces mucilage that coats the throat. of powdered slippery elm bark with a small amount of
boiling water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to cool
and thicken. Place the thickened paste on boils, cold
sores, cuts, and other skin irritations.
Joint Pain, Gout, Arthritis, and Bruises: The
Slippery Elm Paste described above can be used on the
skin to relieve joint pain and bruises. Slippery Elm Tea
taken internally hastens healing and provides relief
from gout and arthritis pain.

Harvesting: For best results, collect the inner bark
from older trees.
7 Slippery Elm flower buds, Wikipedia Commons

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