Marshmallow

Latin name: Althaea officinalis

Family: Malvaceae

Folk Names: Althaea leaf, rose of sharon, altheia, malve, mortification root, mucilage, sweet weed, witte malve, wymote, cheeseweed.

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DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS 

Part of the Plant Used

Root, Leaf

Native to Europe and Asia this slimy plant is used to treat all mucus membranes. This low growing plant presents with divided palmate rounded leaves, cream to light purple colored flowers growing directing from the stem and a deep fleshy taproot. All parts are edible. The can be found growing in lawns, gardens, roadsides, waste areas. 

CONSTITUENTS

Mucilage constituents and pectin, also Scopoletin, quercitin, kaempferol, chlorgenic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid.

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

• Demulcent
• Urinary demulcent
• Emollient
• Diuretic
• Soothe inflammation of the skin & mucosa
• Nutritive – to increase milk production

Root

• Irritation of the oral, pharyngeal, or gastric mucosa
• Dry cough – hoarseness
• Inflammation of tonsils
• Gastric or peptic ulcer
• Enteritis/Gastritis
• Cystitis- urinary tract infections in general
• Canker sores
• Dental abscesses
• Crohns/colitis
• Lubricate passages to assist in an easier birth
• Constipation – when due to dryness
• Topical treatment for varicose ulcers, wounds, burns

Leaf

• Irritation of the oral, pharyngeal, or gastric mucosa & dry cough
• Bronchitis, respiratory tract catarrh
• Cystitis, urethritis, urinary gravel or calculus
• Topical treatment for abscesses, boils and ulcers
• Dry, scruffy, skin, dandruff, dry scabs on the scalp, unhealthy scalp with hair loss & insect bites.

Clinical: Bronchitis, coughing, gastritis, intestinal inflammation, oral inflammation, sore throat, bruises, burns, chafing, chilblains, cold, colitis, Crohn’s disease, cystitis, dermatitis, diabetes, gallbladder problems, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney inflammation, respiratory problems, sores, sunburn, ulcers, wounds.

Folk: Abscesses, arthritis, asthma, constipation, diarrhea, mucous membrane inflammation, stones, toothache, urethritis, urinary tract infections, varicose veins.

Energetics: Cool, moist + sweet, somewhat ‘salty’.

Indicated in those with a tongue that is dried and red with hardening and sometimes cracking of the surface.  May have a slightly reddish complexion. Drying and exfoliation of the cuticle. May break up swollen breast glands, ducts and cysts. It is laid on the eyes to take away redness and swelling.

HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS

Generally regarded as safe. Avoid if allergic. Not enough evidence to support the use of marshmallow during pregnancy or lactation. May lower blood sugar levels and interfere with the absorption of other drugs and therefore should be monitored carefully. Consume 1 to 2 hours prior to other supplements.

FORMULARY

Dosage

One teaspoon of dried leaves or 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried root and a cup of hot water daily. Half to 1 teaspoon of a liquid root or leaf extract three times daily. One eighth to 1/3 cup of fresh roots daily, 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of marshmallow root syrup daily, or 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of marshmallow tincture three times daily. The mucilage becomes gel like when mixed with a little bit of water, use it as a poultice on inflamed or bruised skin as often as you’d like. 

• FLOWERS: Gather and use to make expectorant syrups for coughs. Harvest in Summer
• MARSHMALLOW ROOT SYRUP: Remedy for irritable coughs. Soothes passageways, reduces inflammation & dryness. Beneficial in continuous runny colds – breaks up cysts in sinuses that often cause conditions.
• INFUSION: Use for bronchial and urinary disorders
• ROOT DECOCTION: Use for inflammations, such as oesophagi’s & cystitis. Use 25 gm root : 1 litre water and boil down to approx. 750ml.
• TINCTURE: Use for inflammations of mucous membranes of GI & Urinary
• POULTICE: Use root or a paste of powdered root mixed with water and apply topically for skin inflammations & ulcers
• OINTMENT: Use on wounds, skin ulceration and to help draw out splinters. RECIPE: Melt 50 g lanolin, 50 g beeswax & 300g soft paraffin together. Heat 100g powdered marshmallow root in the combined fats for an hour over a waterbath. When cool – add 100 g Slippery Elm Bark

Combinations: Slippery Elm.

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