American Elm Tree Health Benefits: 6 Scientific Facts Everyone Should Know

The medicinal virtues of the American elm tree have been known since ancient times. Presently, the therapeutic value of its charcoal has also been discovered.

American Elm Tree Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Ulmus minor Miller, English elm tree, European elm tree,
2. French: Ormeau
3. Spanish: Olmo
4. Environment: Commonly found in cool valleys and close to European streams. It also grows in North and South America.
5. Description: A tree of the Ulmaceae family with a rough trunk and oval-shaped leaves alternated with toothed edges. The fruit has some wing-shaped keys and grows in clusters.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The trunk and branches’ inner bark and charcoal.

Preparation and Use

1. Compresses with a decoction made with 20-30 g of inner bark per liter of water, boiling for 10 minutes. After straining, soak a compress and apply it to the affected skin area.
2. Eye irritation with the liquid of this decoction, well strained.
3. Vaginal irrigations with the decoction well strained.

Properties and Indications

The inner bark of the American elm tree contains tannin, mucilage, and bitters substances. It helps soothe the mucosa and skin and also reduces their inflammation. This plant is used for diarrhea or colitis. Internally used, it has sudorific properties. However, its main applications occur when externally used.

• Skin ailments: Eczema, rashes, furuncles, herpes, ulcerations, torpid wounds, or those difficult to heal.
• Simple conjunctivitis is caused by eye irritation from foreign particles (sand, dust, etc.), wind, intense sunlight, or working in front of a computer screen.

The elm charcoal is an adsorbent substance for colitis, intestinal fermentation, or poisoning.

An elm tree variety is growing in North America, the American elm tree (Ulmus Fulvia Minch.), whose bark is more decadent in mucilage. Therefore, its emollient properties are even more intense.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. It would be best to not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, you should talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
2. https://www.arborday.org/