© Eric Collin. Original uploader was Ptelea at en.wikipedia · GFDL · Commons
Ulmus minor
Feldulme · (Ulmus minor)
Elm family (Ulmaceae)
Description
Field elm is known by its markedly lopsided leaves: one half of the blade joins the stalk lower than the other. It flowers in early spring before the leaves appear and forms flat, disc-shaped winged fruits that drift to the ground early in the year. It is found mainly in southern and central Europe, growing in floodplain woods, hedgerows and along field margins. In European folk medicine a decoction of the tannin-rich bark was taken internally for diarrhoea and applied externally as a compress or salve for eczema and slow-healing wounds; the bark contains catechins, condensed tannins and mucilage. For decades now Dutch elm disease, a fungal infection spread by bark beetles, has hit populations hard across Europe.
A decoction of field elm bark was traditionally used in European folk medicine for diarrhoea and intestinal catarrh. Tannins (catechins, condensed tannins) act astringently on the intestinal mucosa; mucilage provides a demulcent, soothing effect. Henriette's Herbal (King's American Dispensatory) documents Ulmus campestris (a synonym for U. minor in older literature) as an astringent remedy for chronic intestinal complaints.
Preparation & dosage
Simmer 2–4 g dried, chopped field elm bark in 250 ml water for 15 minutes, strain. Up to 3 cups daily, not longer than 2 weeks without medical consultation.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
In folk medicine, an infusion or decoction of field elm bark was applied as a moist compress to skin eczema, inflamed areas, and poorly healing wounds. Tannin content acts astringently and mildly antiseptically; mucilage supports healing and soothes irritation. PFAF documents Ulmus procera (= U. minor cv.) for eczema and skin inflammation.
Preparation & dosage
Boil 20 g dried bark in 500 ml water for 15 minutes, strain, allow to cool. Soak a clean cloth and apply to affected areas; 2–3 times daily for 15–20 minutes.
Bark powder or extract of field elm was processed into ointments and creams in folk medicine and applied externally for skin eczema, skin rashes, and wound care. Boudaoud-Ouahmed et al. (2016) demonstrated gastroprotective and antioxidant properties of U. campestris bark extract, attributed to polyphenolic compounds (tannins, catechins) that are also relevant for skin-protective effects.
Preparation & dosage
Prefer ready-made preparations. DIY: work fine bark powder into a neutral skin-care base (e.g. beeswax-oil ointment). Apply externally, not to deep open wounds.
Alcoholic tincture of field elm bark was used as an astringent for diarrhoea (internally) and as a soothing agent for skin eczema (externally, diluted). Tannins and phenolic acids of field elm bark show structural similarity to other Ulmus species; ethnobotanical data from the Caucasus (Paniagua-Zambrana et al. 2024/2025) document Ulmus minor for folk medicine applications in mountain regions.
Preparation & dosage
Bark tincture 1:5 (40–50 % ethanol): internally 20–40 drops up to 3 times daily; externally diluted (1:10 in water) as compress or wash. Not longer than 4 weeks without medical consultation.
- Doses per day
- 3×
Ulmus procera (English elm = cultivar of U. minor) is known as Bach Flower No. 11 'Elm'. Edward Bach (1936) described this flower essence as a remedy for temporary overwhelm, sense of duty, and the feeling of being unable to cope — for normally capable people who experience temporary self-doubt. The essence is applied highly diluted in water or alcohol. No scientific evidence for efficacy beyond placebo exists.
Preparation & dosage
Young elm leaves and buds were used in European folk medicine and as emergency food. PFAF documents use of young leaves as a vegetable for Ulmus procera (= U. minor cv.). Ethnobotanical sources from mountain regions (Paniagua-Zambrana et al. 2025) document folk use of Ulmus leaves in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
Preparation & dosage
In folk medicine, an infusion or mild decoction of field elm bark was also used for rheumatic complaints and 'blood purification'. Maud Grieve describes in 'A Modern Herbal' (1931) European elm bark (U. campestris = older name for U. minor) as antirheumatic. Boudaoud-Ouahmed et al. (2016) demonstrated hepatoprotective and antihypertensive properties of U. campestris bark extract — likely attributable to polyphenols.
Preparation & dosage
Steep 2–3 g dried bark in 200 ml hot water for 10 minutes (infusion) or simmer for 10 minutes (decoction). Strain, drink twice daily. Short-term use only.
- Dry amount
- 2–3 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Field elm (Ulmus minor) is considered well-tolerated according to folk medicine tradition. Caution with known hypersensitivity to Ulmaceae. High tannin amounts (concentrated bark tea, prolonged use) may irritate the gastric mucosa. For skin application: test tolerability on the forearm first. Only limited safety data exist for internal use of the bark. When in doubt, consult a physician.
⏱ Max continuous use: 4 weeks
No clinical safety data available for pregnancy. Avoid internal use as a precaution; external application (compress, ointment) in small amounts is likely safe.
No safety data available for lactation. Internal use not recommended as a precaution.
No data for children. Traditional use limited to adults. Bach flower use is considered safe as highly diluted.
Drug interactions
Orale Medikamente (allgemein)
Tannins may reduce the absorption of orally administered medicines. Take bark tea at a different time from medication.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to field elm (Ulmus minor) or other Ulmaceae
- Acute inflammatory gastrointestinal disease with concentrated bark preparations
Harvested part: inner bark of young branches
- Time of day:
- No time-of-day restriction. Peel bark from young branches (2–4 cm diameter) before or just after bud break — tannin and mucilage content is highest at this time.
- Drying:
- Dry bark pieces loosely at max. 40 °C until brittle. Do not use excessive heat (mucilage degrades above 45 °C).
- Storage:
- 24 months — Store dark, dry, and airtight in paper bags or dark glass jars. Shelf life at least 2 years.
- Time of day:
- Harvest in the morning after dew has dried. Choose young, freshly unfolded leaves.
- Drying:
- Spread loosely in a shaded, well-ventilated location or dry at 35–40 °C. Leaves must rustle dry before storage.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store in well-sealed, dark glass jars or paper bags in a cool, dry place.
- CatechinFlavonoidContent: 0.5-3 %Bark
Flavan-3-ol; dominant flavanoid marker compound in bark of European elm species; antioxidant and astringent. Cho et al. (2016) identified catechins as key compounds in Ulmus pumila bark.
- Procyanidine (kondensierte Tannine)TanninBark
Condensed tannins of catechin and epicatechin units; responsible for the astringent and anti-diarrheal effect of the bark. Documented for the Ulmus genus in King's American Dispensatory (Henriette's Herbal) as 'iron-greening tannin'.
- Mucilage (Schleimstoffe)MucilageBark
Polysaccharide-rich mucilage in bark and bast of field elm; demulcent and soothing; resembles the well-known mucilage of Ulmus rubra (slippery elm), whose EMA monograph is however not transferable to U. minor.
- Phenolsäuren (Kaffeesäure, Chlorogensäure)Phenolic acidBark
Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; as components of the polyphenol complex in Ulmus campestris bark extracts, partly responsible for gastroprotective properties according to Boudaoud-Ouahmed et al. (2016).
- PhlobapheneTanninBark
Reddish-brown oxidation products of condensed tannins; responsible for the characteristic colour of dried elm bark; astringent properties. Documented as a bark constituent in Wikipedia DE (Feldulme).
- Phytosterole (beta-Sitosterol)OtherBark
Plant sterols in field elm bark; documented in Wikipedia DE as a constituent; anti-inflammatory modulating potential is known. (Category 'other' as phytosterols have no dedicated enum.)
- Flavonoide (Quercetin-Glykoside)FlavonoidLeaf
Flavonoid glycosides in leaves and bark of field elm; antioxidant; structurally analogous compounds have been described in other Ulmus species.
- Bitteres Glykosid (unidentifiziert)GlycosideBark
Described in King's American Dispensatory (Henriette's Herbal) as 'bitter glucosid, not yet isolated' for Ulmus campestris (= U. minor synonym); structure and name not further defined historically.
- [1]MonographPaniagua-Zambrana NY, Bussmann RW, Kikvidze Z (2025): Ulmus glabra Huds. Ulmus minor Miller Ulmaceae. In: Ethnobotany of Mountain Regions — Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Eastern Europe. Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI 10.1007/978-3-031-87802-2_294(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [2]MonographBoudaoud-Ouahmed H et al. (2016): Evaluation of gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and hypotensive activities of Ulmus campestris bark extract. Phytothérapie 14(4):229–240. DOI 10.1007/s10298-015-0982-7(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]BookPlants For A Future (PFAF): Ulmus procera — English Elm (= Ulmus minor cv.)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [5]BookKing's American Dispensatory (1898): Ulmus — Slippery Elm and Ulmus campestris. Henriette's Herbal Homepage(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [6]BookBach E (1936): The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies. C.W. Daniel, Saffron Walden. PD edition — Elm (No. 11, Ulmus procera = U. minor cv.)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]WikipediaWikipedia DE: Feldulme (Ulmus minor)(accessed: 2026-05-24)