Good Morning everyone! Another month has passed and here we are to begin another. This month I would like to talk about Slippery Elm Bark.
Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is a medium-sized tree native to North America. It can reach well over 50 feet in height and is topped by spreading branches that form an open crown. The red-brown or orange branches grow downward, and the stalkless flowers are arranged in dense clusters. The plant's leaves are long and green, darkening in color during the fall. The bark has deep fissures, a gummy texture, and a slight but distinct odor.
The bark from this tree is what is used. It is mostly found in powdered form. But it can also be found in capsules. Slippery elm contains mucilage which turns into a slick gel-like substnace when it gets wet. This allows it to coat the walls of the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also has a soothing effect. It can be used externally as a poultice to help with wounds, boils, burns, and skin inflammations.
Taken internally is can help with ulcers, coughs, sore throats, other stomach problems, and bowel problems (such as chron's disease, diahrrea, and IBS). Ways that it can be taken is in the capsules, as a tea, or it can be made into a greul. This gruel is made by slowly adding water to slipprey elm bark powder. If a lot of water is added it just pools and doesn't mix very well. It can be given to babies as a food when they are weaning or given to the eldery.
A modern miracle with Slippery elm began on October 30, 1838. This is the day of the Haun's Mill Massacre. Little Alma Smith had his hip blown off from the musket fire. His mother was prompted to use the bark from the slippery elm tree as a poultice for the wound. After cleaning it with lye soap, she made the slippery elm bark poultice and put it in the wound. For a period of five weeks this seven year old boy lay on his face until a flexible gristle had formed that became the beginnings of his new hip.
Wishing you all a Happy Fourth of July and a Good Pioneer's Day
Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is a medium-sized tree native to North America. It can reach well over 50 feet in height and is topped by spreading branches that form an open crown. The red-brown or orange branches grow downward, and the stalkless flowers are arranged in dense clusters. The plant's leaves are long and green, darkening in color during the fall. The bark has deep fissures, a gummy texture, and a slight but distinct odor.
The bark from this tree is what is used. It is mostly found in powdered form. But it can also be found in capsules. Slippery elm contains mucilage which turns into a slick gel-like substnace when it gets wet. This allows it to coat the walls of the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also has a soothing effect. It can be used externally as a poultice to help with wounds, boils, burns, and skin inflammations.
Taken internally is can help with ulcers, coughs, sore throats, other stomach problems, and bowel problems (such as chron's disease, diahrrea, and IBS). Ways that it can be taken is in the capsules, as a tea, or it can be made into a greul. This gruel is made by slowly adding water to slipprey elm bark powder. If a lot of water is added it just pools and doesn't mix very well. It can be given to babies as a food when they are weaning or given to the eldery.
A modern miracle with Slippery elm began on October 30, 1838. This is the day of the Haun's Mill Massacre. Little Alma Smith had his hip blown off from the musket fire. His mother was prompted to use the bark from the slippery elm tree as a poultice for the wound. After cleaning it with lye soap, she made the slippery elm bark poultice and put it in the wound. For a period of five weeks this seven year old boy lay on his face until a flexible gristle had formed that became the beginnings of his new hip.
Wishing you all a Happy Fourth of July and a Good Pioneer's Day
