Elm trees may be found growing throughout the eastern United States and even into Canada. They are especially found in the Appalachian Mountain region. The Dutch elm disease that ravaged so many of the other species did not affect the slippery elm much. It is also called sweet elm, red elm (because of the wood color), moose elm, and Indian elm.

Slippery Elm is different from the American Elm in that it has hairy buds and very short-stalked flowers. The Slippery Elm grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet and the leaves are about 6 inches long. They grow alternately on the branch, and have a coarsely double-serrated edge and a rough texture. The flowers grow in clusters of ten to twenty, appearing before the leaves in early spring. The fruit contains a single central seed and is half an inch long.

Poachers destroy thousands of slippery elms by stripping the bark in mid June to early July when it is especially easy to peel. Then they sell it for its medicinal value, getting their cut in the $23 billion dollar bulk herbs industry in the United States.

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 popular to the early colonists for they used it to preserve grease, to make pudding, to thicken jelly, and as a mush for survival during long trips. They also used it as a medicine to treat coughs, skin injuries, intestinal worms, toothaches, gout, arthritis, and stomachaches.

As a gruel it was used during times of famine. George Washington, for example, kept his troops alive on it for several days during their bitter winter at Valley Forge. The inner bark was also ideal for waterproofing the early settlers’ dwellings, canoes, and baskets.

The fibrous inner bark is a strong and durable fiber, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. Once cured, the wood is ideal for making matchless fires with the bow drill method; the wood grinds into a very fine, flammable powder under friction. Slippery elm bark can also be used for jewelry, bowstrings, ropes, snowshoe bindings, clothing, woven mats, and can be used to make some musical instruments. The interlocking grain of the wood made it a natural shock absorber when used for the hubs of wagon wheels, for it acted as a natural shock absorber.

Taken externally, slippery elm bark has been used to treat vaginitis, skin conditions, and hemorrhoids, or to give softer, smoother skin. Internally, many benefit from its use as a cough medicine or to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, sore throats, ulcers, and respiratory irritations.

The recommended dosage for a 150 pound adult is three 500 mg capsules daily. To make a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water until the desired consistency is reached. Then, when cool, apply it where needed. The proportion for making slippery elm tea is one part powder to eight parts water. One can also sprinkle the powder on oatmeal or in juice. Children’s dosage should be determined proportional to their weight.

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