The Healing Properties of Slippery Elm

 

by Louise Mclean, LCCH.

Slippery Elm's botanical name is Ulmus Rubra and it is taken from the bark or roots of the Elm tree. It is native to the eastern USA and to Ontario, Canada.

It is what is known as a mucilage, which soothes and coats the mucous membranes in the body, absorbing toxins.

It is extremely beneficial to use for sore throats and respiratory problems, especially bronchitis and chest colds, as it loosens up all the mucus. I had a bad chest cold recently, feeling a bit feverish and not getting better until I took a good homeopathic remedy and also some Slippery Elm for a few days. It soothes the coughing as well.

I remember my Mother used to tell me how my Great Aunt Connie loved using herbs and swore by Slippery Elm around a 100 years ago!

It is also well known for massively easing digestive problems, as well as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation.

Slippery Elm is very good for people with any inflammatory urinary problems such as cystitis, as it soothes the lining of the urinary tract. It also acts as a mild diuretic, increasing urine output and eliminating wastes.

It is considered to be anti-inflammatory and a friend has found it extremely useful for stiffness and arthritis.  She says her stiff joints are greatly improved when she takes it, when nothing else works so well for her.

Slippery Elm is good for the skin and is reported to help psoriasis. You can also make a poultice with it to treat wounds, cuts, boils and insect bites.

Slippery Elm tastes a bit like porridge oats, when you mix the powder up with milk, yoghourt or water and eat it.  I add a little honey for flavour.

It is very nutritious and contains calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, Vitamin C, B vitamins and antioxidants.

The indigenous people of North America revered the elm tree and they taught the Europeans how to use the bark for wounds.  They say George Washington's troops survived by eating slippery elm for 12 days during the siege at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania in 1777 and if they had not done so, the outcome of the battle would have been very different.

I buy this one.

https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/slippery-elm-bark

Boost Your Health with Dandelion Leaves

by Louise Mclean, LCCH.

Most people think of a dandelion as a tenacious weed, very hard to dig up, as its roots are strong.  

I think of dandelion as an incredible boost to my health and have been picking the leaves, washing them and putting them in a bag in my fridge.  They seem to last a long time and stay fresh, even for weeks!

The wonderful thing about picking them from the garden, is that all the nutrients are fresh and unlike most vegetables from the supermarket, they have not been radiated, which effectively destroys those nutrients.

In addition, I have never put weed killer or any kind or pesticide in my garden, so the plants there are especially good quality.

I simply chop the leaves very finely into any salad that I am eating and you can do this with any dish you are having, though salad is probably best.

The nutrients in dandelion are as follows.  Vitamins A, C, B6, E and K2, as well as beta carotene, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and potassium.

Dandelion is known to reduce inflammation in the body, thereby reducing pain and stiffness in joints.  

It is used for digestive health and contains inulin, which is a prebiotic fibre.  The leaves contain powerful antioxidants which support the immune system and protect from free radicals.  In addition the dandelion plant supports liver function and promotes healthy skin.

In Chinese medicine dandelion is used to treat upper respiratory diseases.

Dandelion is a natural diuretic as it contains potassium which counteracts the effects of sodium, the leading cause of fluid build up in the body. It stimulates the kidneys and promotes the excretion of excess fluids.

You can buy dandelion root drops to take instead.  Some people eat the dandelion root and even the flowers.  You can buy dandelion tea. Other people like to boil the dandelion leaves and eat them instead of spinach. 

I prefer to eat the fresh leaves from the garden with all the nutrients intact, even though they do taste a little bitter.  As mentioned, if you chop the fresh leaves very finely with a pair of scissors, you will hardly taste them in your salad and be getting the full nutritional value and input.