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.



The Slippery Elm grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet. The leaves are about 6 inches long, growing alternately on the branch, and have a rough texture and coarsely double-serrated edges. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring in clusters of ten to twenty. The fruit is half an inch long containing a single central seed. Slippery Elm may be distinguished from American Elm by the hairiness of the buds and twigs and by the very short-stalked flowers.

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.

Some believe slippery elm has abortafaciant capabilities. When the bark is moistened and inserted into a pregnant woman's uterus, she may abort her baby. This practice resulted in so called "Elm Stick Laws" in many states limiting the size of the bark sold. Because slippery elm bark may have this effect, women who are pregnant or lactating should avoid using slippery elm. This is the only caution known in taking the herb.

Elm was used by colonists to make pudding, to thicken jelly, to preserve grease, and as a survival food on long trips. It was used medicinally to treat toothaches, skin injuries, gout, arthritis, stomachaches, coughs, and intestinal worms.

The inner bark was also used to waterproof baskets, canoes, and dwellings. As mentioned above, in times of famine, early American settlers used it as a survival food. George Washington's troops survived partly on slippery elm gruel during their winter at Valley Forge.

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.