Slippery Elm

"a wonderful soothing healer to keep on hand this winter"

Slippery Elm is a nutritious and lubricating herb which coats irritated areas, allowing the body to heal itself. Slippery Elms high level of mucilage helps to soothe a sore throat, ease indigestion and lubricate the bowel. The lubricating properties have made Slippery Elm useful for easing Crohn's disease, colitis and irritable bowel disease.

History:

Slippery Elm is a large, deciduous tree that is native to North America, growing in woods of both Canada and the United States. The tree reaches heights of up-to sixty feet and is often planted along streets, as well as in the forests throughout Canada and the United States. American Indians were the first to discover the healing properties of the Slippery Elm and found the inner bark when coming into contact with water, the porridge like substance formed, swells and produces a soothing, softening ointment. When applied it was found to heal wounds the mucilage dried and it became a natural bandage. The English settlers soon noticed its widespread use by Native Americans and included it into their medicinal applications for wounds, cold sores and boils. The colonists also used the bark to treat coughs, sore throats and urinary tract infections. Mixed with water, Slippery Elm Bark makes a highly nutritious and soothing gruel for children and for sick people of any age. Slippery Elm bark has a soothing and healing effect on any part of the body with which it comes into contact. The bark's high mucilage content is composed of easily digested, nontoxic, complex carbohydrates, and Slippery Elm Bark also contains beta-sitosterol, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, beta-carotene and Vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3 and C.

Beneficial Uses:

Slippery Elm is used to soothe sore throats. The high level of mucilage makes it extremely soothing for the inflamed mucous membranes of the throat and esophagus. Herbalists use it in cough medicines for scratchy, raw, sore throats and mouth irritations, and it can also be an effective ingredient in throat lozenges.

* Slippery Elm Bark reduces inflammation of the intestinal tract. It soothes the inflamed mucous membranes of the bowel and neutralises excess acids in the intestines, which make it beneficial for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome. It has also been used to ease both constipation and chronic diarrhea.

* One of Slippery Elm Bark's oldest uses has been as a digestive tonic. Again, its high mucilage content soothes the inflamed mucous membranes of the stomach and neutralizes excess stomach acids, making it an excellent remedy for the entire digestive system. It is said to soothe stomach irritation and the sore feeling that often follows vomiting. Herbalists use it as a remedy for ulcers and gastritis.

* Slippery Elm Bark generally reduces inflammation and is useful for soothing the mucous membranes of the urinary tract and easing the inflammation of aching joints.

* Midwives used Slippery Elm Bark to lubricate and ease childbirth.

* Slippery Elm Bark is a highly nutritious food product. It is good for babies as a nutritive and also benefits those babies who are unable to digest milk products. Because it is so soothing and easily digested, it is one of the few foods that will stay in a cancerous or ulcerated stomach when nothing else will and is also beneficial for invalids and those recovering from illness or who have wasting diseases. In times of famine or food shortage, a gruel made from Slippery Elm bark was highly valued for its nutritive qualities.

* Slippery Elm Bark works with the body to draw out impurities and toxins and has been a longtime treatment for cuts, bruises, wounds, burns, and also to relieve inflamed or itchy skin. (used for this purpose by opening the capsules)

Contraindications:
People with known allergies to elm bark should avoid Slippery Elm Bark. Other medications should be taken at a different time, because the herb's high mucilage content may interfere with their absorption

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