Slippery Elm Bark

History and Uses:
Slippery Elm Bark grows widely throughout North America, and the part of this plant used medicinally is the inner bark, which contains mucilage, a long chain of sugars called polysaccharides that make a slippery substance when combined with water. Nineteenth-century midwives used Slippery Elm to lubricate their hands when performing gynecological exams, and the herb was also consumed the last few weeks of pregnancy to facilitate labor. Slippery Elm is rich in nutrients and is easy to digest, making it an excellent food during times of digestive discomfort. It can be made into a gruel. In times of famine, early American settlers used it as a survival food. George Washington and his troops survived for several days on Slippery Elm gruel during the bitter winter at Valley Forge. 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 conditions such as sore throats and diarrhea. As a poultice, it was considered a remedy for many inflammatory skin conditions. The powdered bark can be fed to people who cannot keep down any food, such as chemotherapy patients or those recuperating from illness. This herb is also recommended for those who are wasting away, failing to thrive and losing weight. It is considered so safe that Slippery Elm can be added to baby food as a nutritive, and is also said to be good for babies who cannot digest milk. The primary chemical constituents of Slippery Elm include mucilage (galactose), starch, tannins, calcium, vanadium and zinc. The herb works with the body to draw out impurities and toxins, assisting with the healing of all body parts. Slippery Elm's coating action soothes the irritated tissues of the intestines, colon, urinary tract and stomach and helps to soothe stomach ulcers. Slippery Elm is also beneficial in alleviating inflammation caused by arthritis and for soothing sore throats.