Slippery Elm Bark and a Yummy Healing Tea [Vegan]

Just recently, I discovered slippery elm bark (powder). If you are not aware of it, read on! Slippery elm has a number of amazing benefits (particularly for those with irritable bowels); I am a huge fan!

Slippery Elm Bark can be found in the bulk herbs section in your local health food store (or online). I'll give a brief list of the healing properties of the bark and an easy tea recipe which has performed miracles on my digestive track recently. Seeing how many people, especially high stress individuals (that's me!) and Celiacs, have irritated digestive tracks, I thought this information was relevant from Wikipedia and Dr. Karl Smith's informational sites.

Slippery Elm Bark, or ulmus fulva, is an herb from the inner part of the elm bark which is usually sold in a finely ground powder. It hails from the elm tree and masquerades under many names: American elm, Indian elm, red elm, moose elm, sweet elm, rock elm, and winged elm.

It is a very safe and gentle herb and is allergen free (unless you are allergic to elm trees). Slippery Elm Bark herb can be taken by anyone; infants, pregnant women, and the elderly can all enjoy its benefits. The inner bark, normally ground into a powder, is used for a variety of medicinal purposes. The soothing properties of the bark benefit both the skin as well as the respiratory and digestive track.

General Health Benefits and Nutrients:

Slippery Elm Bark can actually sustain life for a short period of time since it is high in many essential nutrients:

• sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, iodine, copper, zinc, phosphorus, bromine, manganese, and vitamins E, F, K, and P
• It is excellent for those who are sick or have cancer or other destructive "wasting" diseases.
  

Medicinal Uses (internal):

• Digestive Problems:
• indigestion
• cramps
• ulcers
• colitis, gastritis, GI hyperacidity,
  
• kidney problems
• diarrhea and constipation

• wasting diseases
• cancer
• It soothes nausea and is not likely to be thrown up

To take internally: Make an easy tea! See my recipe at the end. I adjust the slippery elm amount and spices to taste each time.

Another great herbal recipe is from Dr. Smith who gives the following: Take equal parts of slippery elm, marshmallow root (both of these herbs soothe and buffer the stomach and GI tract), comfrey (improves digestion), echinacea (fights off infection), and cayenne capsules (acts as a stimulant and magnifies healing properties of the herbs). Many people use honey, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to naturally flavor herbal remedies.

Medicinal Uses (External):

The soothing and inflammation-reducing properties of the bark make it ideal for:

• burns
• rash (diaper rash)
• sores, wounds
• hemorrhoids and boils

To apply externally: Mix slippery elm in some water to make a thick paste and apply it directly on the affected area.

Heal an Irritated or Acidic, Damaged G.I. Tract:

Take as a hot tea or add to your baked goods, soups, smoothies, or really anything to take for an irritated digestive system.

The bark has been shown to neutralize acidity and protect mucous membranes along the GI tract by coating the membrane surface. This "buffering" of the membranes helps the irritated area (stomach, intestines, throat) heal themselves while the acidic offending environment is isolated from the membrane. The coating action also soothes ulcers.

Heal a Sore Throat or Respiratory Infection:

The acid buffering and anti-inflammatory action of the bark soothes sore throats and relieves dry and irritated bronchi and lungs. It is an expectorant, meaning that it breaks up mucous stuck in the throat or bronchi (as is the case in bronchitis or a cold/flu) and causes you to cough it up. Conditions appropriate for slippery elm usage:

• asthma
• bronchitis
• sore throats, coughing, hoarseness
• tonsillitis
• pleurisy, lung bleeding, and leukorrhea

To soothe a sore throat: Karl Smith, D. C., has a fantastic page on his University Chiropractic website. He has many easy herbal remedies and good looking recipes if you're adventurous. A favorite lozenge recipe of Dr. Smith's: Take some locally grown honey and mix it with slippery elm powder till it makes a thick paste. Add 1-5 drops of peppermint oil to taste. Put in a container with a lid and store it in the fridge. Eat by the spoonful 2-4 times daily until sore throat subsides.

Here is my easy slippery elm tea that really soothes my tummy and intestines. It really helps constipation and is very gentle. I do not get bloated from it, which is rare. Since the powdered bark absorbs the hot water as it steeps, this tea is filling and prevents me from after meal fridge raids for which I'm famous (always hungry since my absorption is still fairly poor). This tea is allergen free and can be spiced up to your liking. If you can tolerate some light coconut milk, or almond milk (careful, Almond Breeze brand has soy lethicin), both are great in this tea. As I've mentioned before, I don't recommend soy milk since unfermented soy is damaging to your health.

Slippery Elm Tea [Vegan]

~ 1 T. slippery elm bark (powder)
1 c. water, boiling
1 T. sweetener of choice**
2-3 oz. light coconut milk (optional) or other "milk" of choice

** I use organic unsulfured blackstrap molasses (optional) or 1 packet (1 g. total, 10 mg herb) Stevia

spices (adjust to your liking):
hearty dashes of:
cinnamon, nutmeg, caradmon (powdered)
dash of 50-50 cayenne pepper & cinnamon mixture
powdered ginger

Variations: Add 1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process - it's processed with alkali)

Just boil the water, spoon in the elm powder, and add the spices to your liking. Stir in the molasses (or other sweetener) and "milk" beverage. Drink hot.