- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, Asia, North America
Europe · Herb · № 234
Ulmus spp.
Herb · Europe
Elm
Ulmus spp.
The inner bark of the European elm is, like that of the American slippery elm, mucilaginous and was used for skin complaints and diarrhoea. There is little research.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Western herbalism: Little studied.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Preparation
Inner bark as a decoction or poultice; the wood for crafts.
Use in traditions
The elm grew along roads and fields and supplied tough wood for wheel hubs, coffins and water pipes. Its leaves served as fodder. Since the 1920s Dutch elm disease, named after the Dutch researchers who described it, has killed most large elms in Europe. In herbal magic associated with love and protection.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
The inner bark as a decoction for skin complaints and diarrhoea, and as a poultice on wounds; comparable to the American slippery elm.
Preparation and amount
Inner bark as a decoction or poultice. No dosage is given here.
Caution: Little studied.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For heavy periods and piles; the longhouses were covered with the bark.
Preparation and amount
Scrape the bark of the American elm from the east side and steep it.
Caution: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Love, protection.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionCompress, poultice and paste