Western Herbalism
Slippery elm
Ulmus rubra
Also known as Ulmus fulva Mich, Red elm, Elm, Elm Bark, Elm bark; Ulmi cortex, Cortex ulmi interior.
Inner bark is used Pair w/ anti-spasmodic herbs for kidney stones Pair w/ anti-microbial herbs for infections conditions Ulmus is at risk and alternatives should be used when possible Part of Robert's formula (Ulcerative colitis & Crohn's disease & heal gut
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Cuts
- Mumps
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Abscess
- Sores
- Constipation
- Cough (dry)
- Cachexia
- Boils
- Interstitial cystitis
- Burns
- Hyperacidity
- Pain (testicular)
- Ulcers
- Cough (irritable)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- GERD
- Cystitis
- Eczema
- Urethritis
- Convalescence
- Wounds
- Diarrhea
- Skin abrasions
- Gastritis
- Kidney stone
- Dysentery
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Sore throat
Safety
Pregnancy: Pregnancy= info lacking
Breastfeeding: Lactation= info lacking
The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Gruel | 1 Tbs powder w/ small amt of cold water to dissolve, add 1-2 c boiling water for gruel, can add cinnamon and/or natural sweetener, take 1 Tbs/hr or several x/day | 10000 mL |
| Infusion | Mix 1-2 tsp powder/c cold H2O, let stand 4-8 hrs, 1/2-1 c TID, more if acute | |
| Powdered bark 4-16 mL (1 : 8 as a decoction) three times daily | 4-16 mL | |
| Dose, Ad libitum. | ||
| Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage: Elm bark is nutritive, expectorant, diuretic, demulcent, and emollient, and is a very valuable remedial agent. In mucous inflammations of the lungs, bowels, stomach, bladder, or kidneys, used freely in the form of a mucilaginous drink (1 ounce of the powdered bark to 1 pint of water), it is highly beneficial, as well as in diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs, pleurisy, strangury, and sore throat, in all of which it tends powerfully to allay the inflammation. A tablespoonful of the powder boiled in a pint of new milk, affords a nourishing diet for infants weaned from the breast, preventing the bowel complaints to which they are subject, and rendering them fat and healthy. Some physicians consider the constant use of it, during and after the seventh month of gestation, as advantageous in facilitating and causing an easy delivery | ||
| ½ pint of the infusion to be drank daily. Elm bark has likewise been successfully employed externally in cutaneous diseases, especially in obstinate cases of herpetic and syphilitic eruptions, and certainly possesses more efficient virtues than are commonly supposed. As an emollient poultice, the bark has been found very serviceable when applied to inflamed parts, suppurating tumors, fresh wounds, burns, scalds, bruises, and ulcers | 237 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Inner bark is used Pair w/ anti-spasmodic herbs for kidney stones Pair w/ anti-microbial herbs for infections conditions Ulmus is at risk and alternatives should be used when possible Part of Robert's formula (Ulcerative colitis & Crohn's disease & heal gut
Action and Therapy. External. Elm bark forms a good emollient poultice of lighter weight than many others and is useful where such applications are permitted, as upon inflamed surfaces, hemorrhoids, and forming abscesses.
Properties and Uses. The inner bark is of a sweetish taste, mild odor, very mucilaginous, and slightly nutritious. When chewed, or chipped and macerated in cold water, it acts soothingly upon all mucous membranes; and the water may be used to the best advantage as a common drink in all mucous irritations and inflammations, as of the bronchi, lungs, stomach, bowels, kidneys, bladder, and uterus.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. Prepared by the second method, a good mucilage of slippery-elm is obtained, and will be found a grateful drink for patients undergoing febrile and inflammatory diseases, as well as those who cough much and complain of dryness of the mouth and fauces. It is regarded as particularly useful in catarrhal and inflammatory diseases of the stomach and genito-urinary tract. Locally, it is serviceable as a cooling and soothing application to cutaneous diseases, especially the various forms of dermatitis, erysipelas, furuncles, and carbuncle. Besides being a good demulcent, its nutritious value is considerable. It may be freely administered.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
In formulas
Slippery elm stands in 3 documented formulas in the library, among them Dry Cough & Irritated Throat Formula.
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