Slippery elm is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Its common name refers to its slippery, mucilaginous inner bark. Because its heartwood is reddish in color, the tree is also known as Red Elm. Other common names for slippery elm include Indian Elm and Moose Elm.
Although slippery elm is not usually credited with being a timber tree, as other elm species are, it does have the distinction of providing the wood to make the yoke that supports the American Liberty Bell.
Slippery elm is celebrated for its demulcent qualities, which are owing to the mucilage content of the inner pith of the tree’s bark. Dried and powdered slippery elm bark is typically taken as dietary supplement in capsule form, but is also beneficial in topical formulations.
