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.