This plant has received recognition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a safe and effective remedy for soothing throat and respiratory irritation.
Herbalists also recommend it for suppressing coughs and, externally, for treating wounds and cuts.
The mucilage, or gummy secretion, from the bark of the slippery elm is also considered a wholesome nutritional food, similar in texture to oatmeal. It can reach a height of 20 meters and is topped by spreading branches that form an open crown. The red-brown or orange branches grow downward, and the stalkless flowers are arranged in dense clusters. The plant's leaves are long and green, darkening in color during the fall. The bark has deep fissures, a gummy texture, and a slight but distinct odor.