It may have a strange name but it is a powerhouse of goodness and a great natural detangler for your tresses. Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is a small tree native to eastern Canada and eastern and central United States. Most commonly found in the Appalachian Mountains, it has a reddish brown truck with grayish white bark on the branches. The inner bark is where you will find its medicinal value, which is collected in spring from the bole of larger branches, dried, and powdered.
The powdered bark is sold in two forms: a coarse powder for use as poultices and a fine powder for making a mucilaginous drink. The powdered form turns into a very slippery gel when mixed with water to make mucilage. Mucilage is a thick, glutinous substance related to the natural guns and is usually comprised of proteins, polysaccharides, carbohydrates, hexose, pentose, and methylpentose.
Benefits
CALCIUM help to strengthen the body and hair.
AMINO ACIDS, which are the building blocks of proteins, encourage the growth of strong, healthy hair. They create red blood cells, which in turn deliver nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.
IODINE is important in a properly functioning thyroid gland, and an iodine deficiency is a common cause of hair loss among women. According to the University of Michigan Health Systems, hypothyroidism cause by iodine deficiency may result in dry, coarse hair.
This slippery substance is highly effective in hair care, especially for curlies, as it is an amazing natural detangler. With the high content of procyanidins, nutrients, fatty acids (oleic acid and palmitic acid), and plant sterols, this wonder is an asset to our tresses. With the aid of water, slippery elm can move between hair fibers, where the slimy consistency makes the strands more slippery. Once in between the hair strands, mucilage temporarily weakens strand cohesion and allows the strands to glide effortlessly pass each other. This allows for easier separation and removal of shed hairs.
You can find some amazing DIY recipes and the rest of my article over at Naturallycurly.com
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
