Witnessed by: Western
Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), of the Ulmaceae family. Medium deciduous tree with rough leaves and fibrous inner bark; native range: woodlands of eastern and central North America. Globally recognized as red elm; moose elm; Indian elm in English. The part used is inner bark (rossed and dried). Bland, faintly sweet and mealy, turning slippery and gelatinous when moistened.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SLIPPERY ELM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- slippery elm
- Scientific name
- Ulmus rubra Muhl.
- Family
- Ulmaceae
Form
- Part used
- inner bark (rossed and dried)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- mucilaginous · bland · sweet
Temperature
- Western
- neutral, moistening
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- mucous membranes · stomach · bowels · lungs
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- demulcent, emollient, nutritive, mild astringent, vulnerary
Cautions
- Contraindications
- none significant; the whole-bark poultice is not for use on unbroken abscesses in some old cautions
- Toxicity
- essentially non-toxic as a food-grade demulcent
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