Stem bark?

[grrlscout]

I'm planning on making some herbal cough and cold syrup, and would like to include some Chinese elm.

Much like slippery elm, it is supposed to help soothe a sore throat, and I happen to have one in the back yard.

However, it is recommended that one use "stem bark". I have Googled the heck out of that term, and I'm still not sure what it means. I get the impression that it means bark from new growth? Say, from the ends for the branches, rather than the trunk?

Any botanists or wannabe botanists care to enlighten me?

Thanks in advance!

[your_comforting_company]

I would have to agree with you. Most of the good stuff is going to be in the new growth twigs. I know this to be true with Salix spp.

[grrlscout]

Well, I wasn't sure, so I took a little of both!

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In addition to the Chinese elm, I made the infusion of turmeric, licorice root, galangal (I was out of ginger), lemongrass, lemon verbena, cloves, mullein, cinnamon, chamomile, jamaica, cenizo, lemon balm, and lemon zest. I combined it with a healthy dose of raw local honey, and a shot of bourbon -- ya know, as a preservative ;c )