slippery elm

(Ulmus rubra) The slippery elm tree is native to North America, where it
still primarily grows. The inner bark of the tree provides the greatest
therapeutic benefit.

Slippery elm is often used in the treatment of inflamed digestive conditions
such as colitis, diarrhea, duodenal ulcers, enteritis and gastritis. It
also may soothe coughs, colds and sore throats and is an ingredient of some
cough lozenges and cough syrups. In a poultice, it treats abscesses, boils,
minor burn and wounds. Native Americans found innumerable medicinal and
other uses for this tree. Canoes, baskets, and other household goods were
made from the tree and its bark. Slippery elm was also used internally for
everything from sore throats to diarrhea. Slippery elm is also The
mucilage of slippery elm gives it the soothing effect for which it is known.
The bark contains a host of other constituents, but the carbohydrates that
comprise the mucilage are the most important.

Two or more tablets or capsules (typically 400–500 mg each) can be taken
three to four times per day. A tea, three to four cups a day, Tincture, 5
ml three times per day.

Slippery elm is quite safe. However, because it is so mucilaginous, it may
interfere with the absorption of medicine taken at the same time.


Slippery Elm Lozenges:
The Slippery Elm Lozenges are widely available in herbal drug store with various brand names to treat the common illness like sore throat and in suppressing the cough very effectively. We can prepare them at home very easily
Ingredients to be kept ready are
• 1 tablespoon powder of Slippery Elm bark.
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• Essential oil for flavor which is optional
Procedure to be followed
• Add the powder of Slippery Elm into bowl
• Put the honey in the middle
• Mix them gently to make it hard dough which can be easily rolled into small pills in pea size.
• Keep the pills in fridge.
• The above will make 10 pills.
Sore Throat Lozenges:
Very tasty lozenges can be prepared by using various healing herbal powders like Goldenseal, Licorice and Echinacea along with the chocolate essence of the carob powder.
Ingredients to be kept ready are
• 1 tablespoon powder of Slippery Elm bark.
• 1 tablespoon powder of Licorice root.
• 1 tablespoon powder of Carob.
• 2 tablespoons powder of Echinacea.
• 1 tablespoon powder of Goldenseal.
• Essential oil for flavor which is optional
Procedure to be followed
• Add all the above powders into bowl and mix them well
• Put the honey in the middle
• Mix them gently to make it hard dough which can be easily rolled into small pills in pea size.
• Keep the pills in fridge.
• The above will make 50 pills for sore throat and strep throat.
Slippery Elm Sore Throat Tea:
A quite good herbal medicinal tea made from different seeds, barks and roots of various herbs for treating sore throat and allied ills, Ingredients to be kept ready are
• ½ cup bark of Slippery Elm
• ½ cup seeds of Fennel
• ½ cup of Marshmallow root
• ½ cup Cinnamon bark
• ½ cup of orange peel
• 3 tablespoons of Comfrey root
• 3 tablespoons of Licorice root
Procedure to be followed
• Add all the above peels, roots and bark together and mix well
• Use 1 tablespoon of the above mixture for a cup of tea to brew
• Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes
• Put 1 teaspoon of honey for every cup (optional)
The above will make 2 cups of wonderful tea.
Slippery Elm Stomach Soothing Tea:
This tea has the special feature of having fantastic healing effects on the extreme cases of acid reflux. Even the doctors nowadays are avoiding surgeries by using this tea. For preparing this special tea all you need to have in your vicinity is:
• Slippery elm of just a cup. (Not necessarily powdered)
• Licorice root of half cup
• Comfrey root of again just half cup
• Take comfrey leaves in two full cups
• Mint of just 2 cups
Once when you have these ingredients with you are now going to prepare this healthy herbal tea. Initially mix all the roots with the barks and store this mixture in a glass container. Then mix the comfrey and mint leaves and store them in another glass container. These mixtures are sufficient for nearly a week if consumed daily. Now just take half a cup of the first mixture and simmer it for 30 minutes after adding 1 quarter water to it. Now take half cup of second mixture and so same with it. Now after 30 minutes, take the leaf infusion and mix it with the root and bark mixture and leave it for a good span of time. You tea is ready. Drink at least 3 cups of this tea each day and you will yourself see notable changes…
Medicinal Uses (External):
The soothing and inflammation-reducing properties of the bark make it ideal for:
burns
rash (diaper rash)
sores, wounds
hemorrhoids and boils
To apply externally: Mix slippery elm in some water to make a thick paste and apply it directly on the affected area.

Heal an Irritated or Acidic, Damaged G.I. Tract:

Take as a hot tea or add to your baked goods, soups, smoothies, or really anything to take for an irritated digestive system.

The bark has been shown to neutralize acidity and protect mucous membranes along the GI tract by coating the membrane surface. This "buffering" of the membranes helps the irritated area (stomach, intestines, throat) heal themselves while the acidic offending environment is isolated from the membrane. The coating action also soothes ulcers.

Heal a Sore Throat or Respiratory Infection:
The acid buffering and anti-inflammatory action of the bark soothes sore throats and relieves dry and irritated bronchi and lungs. It is an expectorant, meaning that it breaks up mucous stuck in the throat or bronchi (as is the case in bronchitis or a cold/flu) and causes you to cough it up. Conditions appropriate for slippery elm usage:
asthma
bronchitis
sore throats, coughing, hoarseness
tonsillitis
pleurisy, lung bleeding, and leukorrhea
To soothe a sore throat: Karl Smith, D. C., has a fantastic page on his University Chiropractic website. He has many easy herbal remedies and good looking recipes if you're adventurous. A favorite lozenge recipe of Dr. Smith's: Take some locally grown honey and mix it with slippery elm powder till it makes a thick paste. Add 1-5 drops of peppermint oil to taste. Put in a container with a lid and store it in the fridge. Eat by the spoonful 2-4 times daily until sore throat subsides.
Here is my easy slippery elm tea that really soothes my tummy and intestines. It really helps constipation and is very gentle. I do not get bloated from it, which is rare. Since the powdered bark absorbs the hot water as it steeps, this tea is filling and prevents me from after meal fridge raids for which I'm famous (always hungry since my absorption is still fairly poor). This tea is allergen free and can be spiced up to your liking. If you can tolerate some light coconut milk, or almond milk (careful, Almond Breeze brand has soy lethicin), both are great in this tea.

Slippery Elm Tea
1 T. slippery elm bark (powder)
1 c. water, boiling
1 T. sweetener of choice**
2-3 oz. light coconut milk (optional) or other "milk" of choice

** I use organic unsulfured blackstrap molasses (optional) or 1 packet (1 g. total, 10 mg herb) Stevia

spices (adjust to your liking):
hearty dashes of:
cinnamon, nutmeg, caradmon (powdered)
dash of 50-50 cayenne pepper & cinnamon mixture
powdered ginger

Variations: Add 1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process - it's processed with alkali)

Just boil the water, spoon in the elm powder, and add the spices to your liking. Stir in the molasses (or other sweetener) and "milk" beverage. Drink hot.