Slippery elm tree is mostly found in the eastern north of America from southern Quebec to northern Florida and eastern Texas. It has a botanical name Ulmus rubra. It is from the family of plants; Ulmaceae. It grows on dry and intermediate soils. Slippery elm has other names which includes; American elm, red elm, Indian elm, soft elm, gray elm, moose elm, sweet elm, tawny elm, rock elm. Slippery elm tree is well known for it dark brown to reddish brown bark.
The name Slippery elm originated from the nature of its inner bark which feels slippery and gel like when it is soaked in water. The tree bark products a strong fiber that can be useful in making things. Slippery elm tree providence thermal cool shade for rest and a habitat for birds. The slippery elm tree grows about 60 to 70 feet (18-21m) on an average soil and 135 feet (41m) on the best soil.
Slippery elm tree has the following parts;
The Leaves which are 4-6 inches long and 2-3 inches wide, they are oval in shape and are separate along the margins. The flowers which are greenish red. It has a sense cluster of 5-20 flowers and it is 1 inches across on short pedicels and about 118 inches (3mm) long. It has fruits too and it’s seeds are hairy. Slippery elm contains both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The inner bark contains several essential nutrients such as vitamin B1, B2, B3,C, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Manganese, simple sugar, starch, polyphenol, tannin, fatty acids. Slippery elm can be recreated into forms like; powder, tea, capsules, tablet, gels, ointments, gruel, lozenges, etc. Slippery elm has a whole lot of medical benefits.
Mucilage which is present in slippery elm is responsible for most of the medical benefits of slippery elm. There are benefits are well known by people and only few others do not know about the benefits. If you want to take it, j advice that you talk to your Doctor for advice and properly prescription before taking it.
PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SLIPPERY ELM
Slippery elm has an inner bark which contains;
- B –carotene
- B – silosterol
- Betolinic acid
- Botulin
- Ursolic acid
- Uvaol
- Oleanolic acid
- Citrostadienol
The mucilage in the slippery elm is formed by;
- Galoctose residues
- Polysaccharides
- D- galacturonic acid
- L- rhamnose
This compositions and many more makes slippery elm have its medical and healing benefits.
15 BENEFITS OF SLIPPERY ELM TREE
1. It Fights Against Heart Burn And Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The mucilage in slippery elm coats the esophagus reducing the inflammation which happens when stomach acid flows up in the esophagus. Mucilage also treats gastroesophageal. If you are having an acid reflux and a burning sensation in your gut and chest, slippery e can help treat it and stop all inflammation. To get your expected result, you need to, add 2 teaspoons of slippery elm powder in a cup of water then drink this once after your meal.
2. It Relieves Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Slippery elm helps to reduce irritation in your stomach. It improves your normal bowel movements and fastens healing. To get your expected result, you need to add 1 tablespoon of slippery elm powder to a cup of hot water, let it sit for about 3-5 minutes then drink it 2-3 times a day.
3. It Helps In Weight Loss
Slippery elm aids in digestion and this in turn helps you to lose weight. To get your expected result, you need to add 1 tablespoon of slippery elm powder to a cup of hot water, let it sit for some minutes then drink it 2-3 times a day.
4. It Stops A Sore Throat
The mucilage that is present in slip elm coats the throat giving you a quick relief from sore throat. It also swallows the throat and reduces pain caused from throat dryness. To get your expected result, you need to, add 2 teaspoons of the inner bark of slippery elm to 2 cups of hot water. Cover it and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes, strain it then drink it two times a day till your expected result is achieved.
5. It Stops Constipation
Mucilage again helps to stop constipation. Slippery elm is good in healing hemorrhoids and it stimulates the nerve that ends at the gastrointestinal tract. To get your expected result, you need to add 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder into 2 cups of hot water, add 1 teaspoon of sugar then drink at least 2 cups two times a day.
6. It Relieves You Of Asthma
Slippery elm relieves respiratory problems like asthma. It helps to reduce the mucus that blocks the airways thereby preventing asthma attack. It reliefs tightening of the chest. To get your expected result, you need to add 2 tablespoon of the inner bark of slippery elm to 2 cup of hot water, cover it and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain it and add 1 teaspoon of honey then drink this two times a day when on an asthmatic attack.
7. It Treats Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition. It causes swelling, itching, inflammation, redness and swelling. Mucilage helps to moisturize your skin and improve healing. To get your expected result, you need to grind some leaves of slippery elm to make a paste. Rub it on the affected areas of your skin and let it stay for some minutes till it dries then wash it off. This should be done 2 to 3 times a day until your results is achieved.
8. It May Control Psoriasis
This is a skin disease that is identified by red patches covered with a silver flaky surface. Psoriasis does not have any known cure but slippery elm has been known to control it by hydrating the skin. To get your expected result, you need to grind some leaves of slippery elm to make a paste. Rub it on the affected areas of your skin and let it stay for some minutes till it dries then wash it off. This should be done 2 to 3 times a day until your results is achieved.
9. It Heals Wounds And Cuts
It is known that some soldiers use slippery elm to treat their wounds as the mucilage in slippery elm is used to cure all skin ailments and smoothen the skin. To get your expected result, you need to grind some leaves of slippery elm to make a paste. Place it on the wounds or cut and let it stay for some minutes till it dries then wash it off.
10. It Reduces Migraines
Slippery elm does not work alone to reduce migraine. Slippery elm has to be combined together with multivitamin and some supplements to help reduce migraine. To get your expected result, you need to add 2 teaspoons of the inner bark of slippery elm to 2 cups of hot water. Cover it and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes, strain it then drink it two times a day till your expected result is achieved.
11. It Helps Your Digestive Health
Slippery elm mucilage helps to smooth and nourish the digestive tract. It stops intestinal imbalance, it balance the gut microphone, it promoted gut health and it also prevents bacteria.
12. It Stops Diarrhea
Slippery elm helps to treat diarrhea through it mucilage. To get your expected result, you need to add 2 teaspoons of the inner bark of slippery elm to 2 cups of hot water. Cover it and let it sit for some minutes, strain it then drink it once a day till your expected result is achieved.
13. It Helps To Reduces Stress And Anxiety
The phenolic compounds in slippery elm helps to protect you against stress.
14. It May Help To Prevent Breast Cancer
Slippery elm helps to prevent breast cancer when combined with other herbs like Indian rhubarb, burdock root, etc.
15. It Helps Your Skin
Slippery elm power can help to heal your skin. It can also make your skin soft and smooth.
Other benefits of slippery elm includes;
- Cough
- Stomach Ulcer
- Bloody stools
- Syphilis
- Irritable bowl syndrome (IBS)
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Herpes
HOW TO PREPARE AND TAKE SLIPPERY ELM
Take 1 or 2 teaspoons of slippery elm bark powder or inner bark in a cup of water. This should be taken after having your meal or before going to bed. As earlier said you can find slippery elm in form of powder, capsule or tablet, cream, ointment, tea, gruel, lozenges, even the natural unprocessed inner bark can be used to. Which ever way you want to take it will be of benefit to you.
- If you want to take it as powder; Add just 1 or 2 tablespoon to a cup of water
- If you want to take it as capsule or tablet; Take only 200mg to 500mg three times a day.
- If you want to use it as ointment; Apply a generous quantity to affected areas.
- If you want to take it as Tea; Take 2 grams of tea bag in one cup of water.
- If you want to take it as gruel; Take 1.5 to 3 grams in one cup of water.
- If you want to take it as lozenge; Just take 1 lozenge daily.
PRECAUTIONS OF SLIPPERY ELM
It is important to note that pregnant women and breastfeeding women should avoid taking slippery elm. Slippery elm may cause miscarriage. Also, if you find out any allergic reaction, you must stop taking it immediately and never attempt to take it again. Do not take slippery elm with any other medication or herbs unless prescribed. Always seek your Doctors advice before combining slide elm with any other medication.
SIDE EFFECTS OF TAKING SLIPPERY ELM
The common side effects of taking slippery elm includes;
- Skin irritation
- Allergies
- Nausea
CONCLUSION
Slippery elm tree as you have read earlier is an herb with lot of medical benefits. It comes in different forms to suit your preference. It is very important to now that slippery elm cannot be for everyone so before you take it, ensure to seek your Doctor’s advice.