The Marshmallow Plant

(Western Herb)

Althaea officinalis

The Marshmallow plant is also known as White Mallow, Althaea, and Althaea Root.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Marshmallow plant is an erect perennial that bears beautiful hibiscus like blooms and grows to six feet in height. It has attractive, five-petaled, lilac-pink flowers that are succeeded with fruit that contains one seed and grayish-green velvety leaves.

The Marshmallow root is cultivated for medicinal use in Europe and Asia and is naturalized in gardens in Eastern North America and around the world.

Marshmallow herb can be given to infants and children in low doses. Marshmallow syrup is especially recommended for dry coughs.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* cough

* sore throat

* colds

* flu

* bronchitis

* sinusitis

* laryngitis

* Crohn’s disease

* peptic ulcer

* gastritis (stomach irritation)

* colitis (inflamed colon)

* cystitis

* bladder infections

* arthritis

* kidney stones

Apply externally for:

* varicose veins

* abscesses

* boils

* eczema

* burns

* skin ulcers

* cuts

* dental abscesses

* gingivitis

PREPARATIONS:

Marshmallow is available in liquid extracts, syrups, capsules, tincture, ointments, and dried bulk.

It can be used as a decoction, infusion, and compress.

Parts used: Flowers, leaves, roots

Collection: The marshmallow Root is the primary part used, they are harvested from three-year-old plants in late autumn.

Constituents: Root - mucilage, tannins, pectin, asparagines Leaf - mucilage, trace of an essential oil

Actions: Root - demulcent, diuretic, emollient, vulnerary Leaf - expectorant, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, anti-catarrhal, pectoral

Combinations: Marshmallow herb can be combined internal or external with Comfrey in ulcerative conditions.

* Can be combined with Licorice and White Horehound to treat bronchitis.

* Can be combined with Slippery Elm to make ointments.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

There are no side effects noted.

Back to Herb Index From Marshmallow Plant