Slippery Elm

Pan Used: inner bark

Energetics: sweet/ cooling/ sweet VP- K and Ama+

Tissues: mainly plasma

Systems: respiratory, digestive

Actions: nutritive tonic, demulcent, expectorant, emollient, mild astringent

Indications: debility, convalescence, ulcers, hyperacidity, skin eruptions, burns, lung hemorrhage, weakness of lungs

Precautions: severe lung congestion, edema, high Kapha, high Ama

Preparation: decoction, powder (500 mg to 2 gms), powder, gruel, paste, milk decoction

SLIPPERY ELM is a highly nutritive, tonic herbal food for conditions of tissue deficiency. It helps rebuild the plasma element of the body, and helps restore the mucous membranes, particularly of the lungs and stomach. As such, it is good for recovery from chronic lung ailments, for desiccated lung tissue, dryness in the lungs, and for soothing and healing ulcerated membranes and surfaces.

Slippery elm is heavy, it may be hard to digest, and may promote congestion. As such, it is often wise to combine it with small amounts of spices such as cinnamon, cloves or ginger, or to sweeten it with honey. As a tonic, it can be decocted in milk, or with comfrey root and small amounts of licorice. For ulceration and hyperacidity, it can be used with small amounts of bitter stomachics, like gentian. Externally, the paste can be used to soothe bums, relieve inflammation and heal damaged tissue.