Natasha Richardson
Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) Plant Profile
Names: Mallards, Mauls, Schloss Tea, Cheeses, Mortification root,
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Magical uses: Psychic powers, Attracts good spirits
Key words: Soft, Soothing, Smooth, Comforting, Coating.
Tissue type: Atrophy + Excitation
Qualities: Cool + Damp
Actions: Moistening, Soothing, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Emollient, Demulcent, Alterative, Antilithic, Antitussive, Vulnerary,
Uses: Sore throat, Cystitis, Swollen glands, Dry cough, Bronchitis, Asthma, Emphysema, Hyperacidity, Ulcers, Mucous colitis, Low digestive enzyme production, Diarrhoea, Dysentry, Crohns disease, Constipation, Haemorrhoids, Hiatus hernia, Gravels in urine, Sore nipples, Arthritis, Skin inflammation, Eczema, Hypertension, Diabetes, Oedema, Chemotherapy, Inflamed alimentary canal, Boils, Abscesses, Old wounds.
Parts used: Flowers, Leaves (Urinary) + Roots (Digestion)
Known constituents: Starch, Pectin, Oil, Sugar, Asparagin, Phosphate of lime, Glutinois matter, Cellulose, Mucilage, Flavonoids, Tannins, Salt, Phenolic acids, Scopoletin.
Legend & Tradition
In case you were wondering, Marshmallow does indeed give its name to the sweet. Its roots were once used to make a rudimentary version of the marshmallow sweets we have now. The name Malvaceae comes from the Greek word Malake meaning soft. The name Althea is from the greek Altho meaning to cure (Grieves, 1992).
But before it was used as medicine it was more readily used as a food. The roots were boiled then fried with onions and butter. The trouble that they must have gone to to prepare this root I would assume is a reflection of how hard food was to come by rather than the deliciousness of the roots. But perhaps I should try it first.
In France, the young leaves and flowering tops are still used in salads. It’s thought that the Romans probably introduced this (Grieves, 1992). But even before that, the Egyptians were recorded as eating it too. The Arab physicians would use the leaves as a poultice for inflammation and the roots as lozenges.
Medicinal Uses
There are two distinct parts of this herb which are used. The roots and the leaves. There isn’t much different between the two in terms of medicinal uses so I haven’t split them up in this monograph. The root is much more mucilaginous than the leaves so the roots are usually more closely associated with the digestive system whereas, the leaves are associated with the urinary system.
DIGESTION
I use the powdered root as an alternative to Slippery elm. It coats the digestive system in a moistening layer which protects the digestion from acids and hot foods. It also helps any trauma to the gut to heal such as ulcers. Its anti-inflammatory action helps to reduce the heat in conditions such, as Crohn’s and Colitis (Kianitalaei et al., 2012).
LUNGS
The root and/or leaves can be added to any cough mix to help soothe the lungs and oesophagus. It is useful in blends for Asthma, Emphysema and Bronchitis. (Möller et al., 2019)
URINARY
The leaves work especially well on the urinary system. Its diuretic effects will make you wee more often than usual but this is excellent in the case of a bladder infection. It’s also useful when you have water retention. It will help you to clear gravel in the urine as well. (Jafari-Sales et al., 2015)
CIRCULATORY
Its effects as a diuretic may also lower the blood pressure in some instances. (Al-Snafi, et al., 2013)
SKIN
You may have heard of Oats being used to make a milky bath for eczema. Marshmallow root will do something similar and is probably why it was used in the past by Arabic physicians as a poultice. To make a poultice you will want to pound up the roots and pour on boiling water. When this cools strain it through a cloth. Wrap the cold wet herb material in a clean cloth and put this on the skin. This is a cold poultice. A hot poultice would use warm herb material and usually put a hot water bottle behind it to keep it warm once its on the body.
Safety Considerations
None known.
References
Al-Snafi, A. E. (2013). The pharmaceutical importance of Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea: A review. Int J Pharm Tech Res, 5(3), 1387-1385.
Jafari-Sales, A., Jafari, B., Sayyahi, J., & Zohoori-Bonab, T. (2015). Evaluation of antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of malva neglecta and althaea officinalis l. On antibiotic-resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus. J Biol Today World, 4(2), 58-62.
Kianitalaei, A., Feyzabadi, Z., Hamedi, S., & Qaraaty, M. (2019). Althaea Officinalis in Traditional Medicine and modern phytotherapy. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research, 9(S2), 155.
Möller, J., Kelber, O., & Nieber, K. (2019). Marshmallow root: A medicinal plant with a great tradition. Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie, 40(S 01), V19.