Herbs: Marshmallow root - cut

 

Common Names: Marshmallow, althea, sweet weed, wymote, mallards, schloss tea, mortification root
Latin Name: Althea officinalis

Excerpt from The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook

No, the plant doesn't grow puffy white blobs of creamy goo that are good for tasting. nor does it sprout little yellow "peeps" around Easter. There's no actual marshmallow in commercially sold marshmallow treats. Real marshmallow, native to Europe and also found in various parts of the United States, is so named because it's a member of the mallow family and tends to favor a marshy habitat. It is a tall herb with short serrated leaves, pale lavender flowers, and a flattened round fruit that looks like a presliced cake. The leaves and particularly the tough but pliable roots are the parts most often used medicinally. The genus name comes from a Greek word meaning "to heal." Our ancient ancestors billed all mallows as cures for just about any affliction.

Therapeutic uses include relief from bronchitis, gastritis, intestinal and oral inflammations, and sore throat. It also helps with various disorders of the digestive system.

Excerpts from Practical Herbalism

Marshmallow is a soothing demulcent indicated for inflamed and irritated states of mucous membranes. It is considered particularly suitable for the elderly, when there are chronic inflammatory conditions effecting the the gastro-intestinal system or genito-urinary tract, including acute respiratory disease, gastro-enteritis, peptic ulcer, cystitis, urethritis, inflammation of mouth and throat, inflamed hemorrhoids, inflamed wounds, burns, scalds, bedsores, abscesses, boils, and ulcers.

It is considered the most mucilaginous of the diuretics, and it is recommended to soothe irritation in the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines as well as those of the urinary apparatus. In addition, it is recommended for inflammation of the bowels, irritation of the bladder, and acute painful cystitis.

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