Long-Term Use of Slippery Elm

Slippery elm is becoming a common household word when discussing both traditional and natural health care remedies. Its medicinal values are highly acclaimed among health specialists today, but it's interesting to note that this is not a new discovery and that it's actually been around for years.

Description

• Slippery elm is made into a soothing tea.

  Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is the common name given to the mucilage that's found in the large cells of the inner bark of small elm trees. These cousins to the popular American elm are found in parts of the U.S. and Canada in high areas such as the Appalachian Mountains. The substance is ground into powder and made into capsules, tablets, lozenges, liquid extracts and teas and used medicinally. It's soothing and healing effects have made it one of the most valuable remedies in herbal practice.

Skin Injuries and Burns

• When the powder is mixed with water it swells and becomes a spongy, slippery paste that can be spread over injuries, burns, poison ivy and other minor skin irritations. It dries and forms a type of bandage over the wound while its healing properties go to work relieving pain and restoring the injured area. Products such as skin moisturizers and creams containing slippery elm are available at health stores and drugstores.

Cough and Cold Remedy

• Medical uses date back to the 18th century in America when slippery elm became popular as a remedy for soothing sore throats and easing coughs. Today, slippery elm comes in the form of cough syrups and lozenges for symptomatic relief of sore throats, coughs and colds. It's also mixed with wild cherry bark and made into a tea for relief of sore throats and coughing.

Digestive Remedy

• People suffering from acid indigestion and general stomach upset, acid reflux syndrome, ulcers and pain from food poisoning can find relief and healing from slippery elm tonic. The mucilage coats the stomach, soothing the irritations and giving pain relief as it aids in the healing process. It's also used for relief of irritable bowel syndrome.

Constipation and Diarrhea

• Slippery elm is now available in health stores in the form of powder, capsule and liquid applications for the relief of diarrhea, constipation, gastritis and Crohn's disease. It's also included in over-the-counter medicines for cold and flu, bladder and urinary infections