Slippery Elm Bark, Cut & Sifted Herb (Ulmus Rubra)

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Slippery Elm Bark, Cut & Sifted Herb (Ulmus Rubra) HERB COMMON NAME :  Slippery Elm HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :   Ulmus Rubra OTHER NAMES :  Red Elm FAMILY :  Ulmaceae ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES : Element: Earth Planet: Saturn Day: Tuesday Direction: North Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Chakra: 3rd Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) Energy: Yin Gender: Feminine Rune: Dagaz, Gyfu Tarot Card: Wheel of Fortune Spirit Animal: Cow Sabbat or Holiday: Imbolc / Brigid / Candlemas (February 1-2) Deity or God / Goddess Association: Brigid, Cerridwen, Danu, Gaia, Hel, Ran, Dionysus, Loki, Odin, Vertumnus   Parts Used:  Inner Bark Description:  Slippery elm bark is harvested from the tree and the high mucilage content results in the “slippery” factor. It is most commonly used as a soothing agent. The Food and Drug Administration in fact calls this herb “an excellent demulcent” (soothing agent), and slippery elm bark is one of the few herbs approved by the FDA as safe and effective for soothing sore throats. A primary slippery elm bark benefit includes being used for sore throats, coughs and bronchitis when used as a tincture, tea or throat lozenge. The mucilage in the bark is a sticky mixture of sugars which coats the throat, and it is still today found in many throat lozenge brands. Slippery elm sore throat lozenges were a fixture in home medicine cabinets, and the herb was the nation’s leading home remedy for anything in need of soothing. To help with cough and cold, slippery elm bark powder is sometimes encapsulated as a dietary supplement. It is also combined with hot water or milk, cinnamon and sugar to make a gruel or hot cereal (similar to oatmeal) that is sometimes fed to hospital patients, especially those with convalescence. Slippery elm bark is also used as a laxative for constipation and gastrointestinal ailments, to coat the digestive tract, for acid reflux, and for weight loss. Slippery elm bark is cleansing and detoxifying, and may help with skin conditions like itching, eczema, and psoriasis. Slippery elm bark powder can be used to make soothing ointments, lotions, creams and other topical preparations for skin disorders. Coarsely ground and mixed with water, it turns into a spongy mass and was once molded into bandages to cover wounds. It has also been use to help relieve inflamed nipples (mastitis) and for boils. First-century Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed bathing in a European elm bath to speed the healing of broken bones. His prescription survived more than 1,500 years. In the 17th century, English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote: “The decoction being bathed in heals broken bones…[and] is excellent [for] places…burnt with fire. The leaves bruised, applied, and being bound thereon with its own bark heal wounds.” Culpeper also claimed elm root decoction restored hair on bald scalps. Soaked in water and wrapped around meats, the slippery elm bark retarded spoilage in the days before refrigeration. Historical Uses:  sore throat, cough, cold, flu, bronchitis, respiratory infection, pleurisy, pneumonia, tuberculosis, congestion, convalescence, constipation, digestion, indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, gastritis, enteritis, colitis, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, angina, GERD, Crohn’s disease, weight loss, cleanse, detox, itching, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, skin disorders, acne, boils, sores, wounds, cuts, grazes, abrasions, skin ulcers, sore nipples, mastitis, broken bones, burns, balding, hair loss, alopecia, gout, mucilage, demulcent, laxative, emollient, diuretic, nutritive, anti-inflammatory, inflammation Mystical Attributes:  Use in exorcism, protection, spell breaking and more. It may be of great service when attending ceremonies that demand long hours of chanting and praying. In conjure work, Voodoo and Hoodoo, carrying Slippery Elm bark in the pocket or bag is said to make the bearer impervious to the slander, libel, malicious gossip, and lies spread by back-biting family members, jealous co-workers, and false friends who are trying to trouble your marriage or love-life. You can also tie a knotted yellow thread around slippery elm and throw it into a fire to cease all gossip about you. Some place a small pinch of slippery elm in the corners of their rooms, claiming that this protects the home and rids the premises of evil. Make a charm to be worn about the neck of a child to help with learning speech and to be a persuasive speaker later in life. Slippery elm can also be used to make one’s magic untraceable and in spells to cause someone to tell the truth or divulge secrets.  For its cloaking effects, it is strewn about the altar. Mystical Intentions:  exorcism, protection from the evil eye, breaking spells, breaking curses, breaking hexes, conjuring, protection from slander, protection from libel, protection from malicious gossip, protection from lies, protection from jealousy, home protection, glamour, cloaking, finding the truth, revealing secrets, public speaking, cleansing, conflict, discord, invisibility, purification, uncrossing Other Uses: Shredded slippery elm bark is used decoratively to add texture to botanical displays.   Taste & Smell:  Slippery elm bark has a mild, pleasant, fibrous and woody taste and smell. It blends well with licorice root, marshmallow root and peppermint. Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Slippery elm is a deciduous tree of the Ulmaceae family. The slippery elm tree can grow to 65 feet (20 m) in height with its trunk gaining a diameter of 20 inches (50 cm). Slippery elm differs from the American elm in a number of ways. Slippery elm has a more upright branching pattern. The tree can also be distinguished from the American elm by the hairiness of its buds and twigs; American elm buds and twigs are smooth. Slippery elm trees also have very short-stalked flowers. The tree’s roughly textured leaves are 4-6 inches (10–18 cm) in length and have coarsely double-serrate margins, acuminate apices and oblique bases. The flowers are perfect, apetalous, and wind-pollinated. They are produced prior to the leaves in early spring, usually clustering in groups of 10–20. The tree’s fruit is an oval winged samara that contains a single, central seed; the samara is about 3/4 inches (20 mm) in length. Slippery Elm is native to eastern North America. Its range spans from southeast North Dakota, east to Maine and southern Quebec, south to northernmost Florida, and west to eastern Texas. Slippery elm commonly grows on the banks of streams and low rocky hillsides in sun to part shade. Slippery elm trees thrive in moisture-rich uplands, but they will also grow in dry, intermediate soils. To grow, as soon as ripe, sow seeds in a cold frame. They usually germinate within a few days. Seeds that have been stored do not germinate well. Transplant into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant in the garden in late spring or early summer. Be sure to transplant before the plant is two years old, slippery elm will develop a thick tap root that will render later transplanting less successful. Harvest the inner bark in summer before it dries out in the fall. Store dried slippery elm inner bark and powdered slippery elm in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Contraindications & Toxicity: The outer bark of the slippery elm tree may contain substances that could increase risk of miscarriage. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. May slow the absorption of other herbs or medications. If using, should be 2 or more hours before or after using other herbs or medications. May cause allergic reactions or skin irritation when applied to the skin.   Constituents: Tannins Mucilage Starch     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. 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