Herbs: Marshmallow root - cut

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

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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First, I just want to say, thank you. I have made a few orders from BHS, and have been just thrilled with the herbs and books. My husband thinks it's great too. I have only been doing the "herbal thing" for a few months, and was actually excited for one of the kids to get sick, so I could try a few things out on them. Well, recently, all 4 of our children caught the flu, and I treated them using herbs, probiotics, baths and poultices. They recovered SO quickly! The next week, hubby got a cold and I asked him if I could mix something up for him. He said that after seeing how the kids responded to their herbal treatments, that he would take anything I had to give him! Well, I made what we have since dubbed 'the powerhouse' ( Echinacea, goldenseal, Yarrow and Cayenne), and that cleared him up right quick! Thank you so much for helping me to be confident and take responsibility for my family's healthcare.

Sincerely,
~Kjersten H.

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