Slippery Elm Bark

The slippery elm bark is one of the many elm trees native to the Appalachian Mountains of North America. Its inner bark has been used by the natives here as a healing salve for burns, ulcers, boils, wounds and skin inflammation for centuries. In fact, they even made antiseptic poultices from the gummy secretion to use on infected wounds.

Slippery elm bark is also used in a therapy called essiac that is great for cancer treatment. This treatment was started by using four herbs and was later expanded to include additional herbs for the treatment, without any actual scientific proof that they work. However the some illnesses which slippery elm bark is known to heal include sore throat, respiratory symptoms like cough, in treating wounds, cuts and for some skin conditions like diaper rash.

In addition to all this, slippery elm bark powder is also consumed as a wholesome and nutritional food. It is similar in texture to oatmeal, and can be used to make porridge which when consumed thrice a day, unsweetened; it provides a great source of nutrients. In fact, during the times of famine, early American settlers used slippery elm bark as a survival food where even George Washington survived on slippery elm gruel for several days. More important, as slippery elm bark powder is gentle and easily digested, it is tolerated by people suffering form gastritis and intestinal problems.

Slippery elm bark has also been used extensively as an abortifacient. As it contains mucilage, a long chain of sugars that create a slippery substance when combined with water, it is moistened with water and then inserted into the cervix. With this slippery elm bark urinary tract treatment, patients can get relief from discomfort and at the same time soothe the urinary tract.

Buyers of slippery elm bark can buy them as solid, long pieces of two to three feet long, in thicknesses of 1/8 or 1/6 inches. It is usually the 10 year old inner bark that is used by suppliers selling slippery elm bark; which can also be found in various forms like tablets, capsules, lozenges, coarsely powdered bark for poultices and finely powdered bark for use in drinks.

Though there are no known hazards of slippery elm bark when consumed in recommended dosages, taking it with oral medications may decrease the absorption of these medications. This is why it is better to take slippery elm bark some hours before or after taking any other herb or medication you may be taking.