- Region
- North America
- Origin
- North America
- Other names
- Slippery elm
North America · Herb · № 323
Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)
Herb · North America
Slippery elm
Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, nourishing, astringent.
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)
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Seek advice in pregnancy.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Bark only from cultivated trees; take medicines separately.
Preparation
Ground inner bark as a gruel or drink, or in lozenges; externally as a poultice. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Indigenous peoples laid the slimy inner bark on wounds and burns and drank it for sore throat and diarrhoea. During the American War of Independence surgeons dressed gunshot wounds with slippery elm poultices. In Western herbalism the powder is used as a soothing gruel for stomach and bowel complaints.
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.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Soothing, nourishing, astringent.
Preparation and amount
Bark.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
To ease childbirth; poultice on swollen glands; as an eyewash.
Preparation and amount
Chew the inner bark or soak it in water; the bark as a poultice.
Caution: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
To soothe stomach and bowels, for heartburn, dysentery, coughs, colds and quinsy, to ease labour; as a poultice on burns, old sores and wounds.
Preparation and amount
A decoction of the inner bark; the inner bark as a poultice.
Caution: Bark only from cultivated trees; take medicines separately.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionCompress, poultice and pastePowder and kitchen