Herbal Remedies ~ Slippery Elm

The mucilage in this herb makes it a soothing, healing remedy for indigestion, sore throats, irritable bowel, Crohn's disease, wounds, burns,and itchy, irritated skin. It is very soothing to the stomach lining and is sometimes made into a gruel and offered to colicky babes.The bark is used medicinally as a tea, as a powder mixed in water as a poultice and added to cooking.

It not only has a most soothing and healing action on all the parts it comes in contact with, but in addition possesses as much nutrition as is contained in oatmeal, and when made into gruel forms a wholesome and sustaining food for infants and invalids. It forms the basis of many patent foods.

Slippery Elm Food is generally made by mixing a teaspoonful of the powder into a thin and perfectly smooth paste with cold water and then pouring on a pint of boiling water, steadily stirring meanwhile. It can, if desired, be flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg or lemon rind.

This makes an excellent drink in cases of irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, and taken at night will induce sleep.

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