Marshmallow

Althea officinalis

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Malvaceae, or the mallow family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Marshmallow is native throughout damp areas of Europe and western Asia. It has naturalized in North America in salt marshes from Massachusetts to Virginia. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Root and leaves ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Anti-inflammatory
• Demulcent
• Emollient
• Expectorant ^[1]
5. Body System Indications:
• Respiratory - Cough, inflammation, bronchitis
• GI - Irritation of the gastric mucosa, diarrhea, dysentery
• Dermatitis - Eczema
• GU - Bladder inflammation
• Topical - Pain, swelling, wounds, bruises, burns ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Mucilage polysaccharides, carbohydrates, flavonoids and quercetin, polyphenolic acids tannins, sugars, amines, coumarins ^[2]
7. Energetics:
• Cold, slow, heavy, moist ^{[1, 3]}
8. Safety & Interactions:
• No contraindications known. May slow absorption of medications if taken at the same time. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried root is pale brown, and broken up like small sticks. Smells sweet.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 in 25%) 1 – 4 mL 3x/day
• Cold Infusion: 2 – 4 g in 1 cup cold water, infuse overnight ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a cold infusion (refrigerated overnight) and drank all throughout the next day. I was having some UTI symptoms on and off the last few weeks but every UC I did came back with no growth. I thought this would help and it did! I only wish I had more. It tastes very earthy and a little sweet. It’s thick and soothing in my mouth, like it gelatinized a bit overnight.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 8 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.

Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Apiaceae, or the parsley family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Commercial supplies of Dong Quai come from cultivated sources in China. Although the highest quality and the largest quantity of cultivated Dong Quai reportedly comes from Gansu province, it is also grown in the provinces of Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Root ^[1]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Alterative
• Antispasmodic
• Uterine tonic
• Emmenagogue ^[1]
5. Body System Indications:
• Menopause - Phytoestrogen formula
• Pelvic tonic - Fibroids, menorrhagia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea
• Cardiovascular - Moves stagnation and detoxifies liver and blood
• Inflammation
• Supports bone growth
• Antiplatelet activity ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Feruic acid, succinic acid, uracil adenine, Biotin, B12, Vitamin E ^[1]
7. Energetics:
• Sweet, acrid, bitter, warming. ^{[1, 2]}
8. Safety & Interactions:
• Inhibition of platelet aggregation may lead to heavy bleeding, use caution in those with clotting disorders, low platelets, or anyone on anticoagulant medications. ^[1]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The root is light brown, appearing like broken little sticks. No particular smell – maybe a little sweet?
2. Preparation Method:
• Decoction: 1 tsp of dry herb to 1 cup of water, boil and drink 3x/day.
• Tincture: (1:4 in 70%) 1 – 3 mL 3x/day. ^[1]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a decoction. It has an interesting smell – spicy like rolling tobacco. The taste is very different, sweet and a little bitterness. It gave me a tingly tongue. I felt energized by this herb.  

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 6 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
2. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.