Elm Bark

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Elm bark is the bark of the elm tree. People use it to make medicine.

Elm bark is used for digestive disorders and severe diarrhea. Sometimes it is used as a diuretic to reduce water retention or as a drying agent (astringent).

On the skin, elm bark is used for cleaning open or festering wounds.

How does it work?

There isn't enough information available to know how elm bark might work.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Digestive disorders.
• Diarrhea.
• Increasing urine production to relieve water retention (diuretic).
• Wounds, when applied to the skin.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of elm bark for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

There isn't enough information available to know if elm bark is safe.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough information to know if taking elm bark is safe during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

The appropriate dose of elm bark depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for elm bark. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.