A native to eastern North America, Elm trees may be found from Canada to Georgia, from Texas to Minnesota, but especially in the Appalachian Mountain region. The slippery elm is less affected by the Dutch elm disease that wiped out so may trees in the last few decades. It is also called Indian elm, red elm (because of the wood color), moose elm, and sweet 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.

Because of the $23 billion dollar herb industry in the United States, slippery elms have been the object of poachers. The bark is slippery and easy to peel from mid June to early July so thieves destroy the trees by removing the bark to sell for its medicinal value.

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.

The early colonists used elm to thicken jelly, to make pudding, to preserve grease, and as a survival mush during long trips. It was used medicinally to treat skin injuries, stomachaches, toothaches, intestinal worms, gout, arthritis, and coughs.

The inner bark was also used to waterproof canoes, baskets, and dwellings. It can be made into a gruel. In times of famine, early American settlers used it as a survival food; George Washington and his troops survived for several days on slippery elm gruel during their bitter winter at Valley Forge.

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 internally, slippery elm bark is a bulk dried herb that can be used to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, ulcers, and respiratory irritations. The bark also contains a substance that is used by some as a remedy for sore throats or as a cough medicine. External uses include treatment of skin conditions, vaginitis, and hemorrhoids. It will also make the skin smoother and softener.

Internally, adults should take three 500 mg capsules daily. To make tea, use one part slippery elm powder to eight parts water. You can also add the powder to oatmeal or juice. For a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water until the desired consistency is reached. Then apply to the needed area. The above herbal dosages are generally calculated for a 150 lb adult. Children’s dosage should be calculated proportionally by weight.

So, buy bulk herbs and experience their life enhancing properties.