Mashmallow

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Marshmallow has been used in connection with asthma, the common cold/sore throat, cough, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), indigestion, abnormal pap smear, peptic ulcer, and ulcerative colitis.

Marshmallow (not to be confused with confectionery marshmallows) has long been used by herbalists to treat coughs and sore throats. Due to its high mucilage content, this plant is soothing to inflamed mucous membranes. Marshmallow is also used by herbalists to soothe chapped skin, chilblains (sores caused by exposure to cold), and minor wounds.

Active constituents: Mucilage, made up of large carbohydrate (sugar) molecules, is though to be the active constituent in marshmallow. This smooth, slippery substance is believed to soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes. Marshmallow has primarily been used as a traditional herbal soothing agent for conditions of the respiratory and digestive tracts.

The German Commission E monograph suggests 1 1/4 teaspoon (6 grams) of the root per day. Marshmallow can be made into a hot or cold water tea. Often 2–3 teaspoons (10–15 grams) of the root and/or leaves are used per cup (250 ml) of water. Generally, a full day’s amount is steeped overnight when making a cold water tea, 6–9 teaspoons (30–45 grams) per three cups (750 ml) of water, or for fifteen to twenty minutes in hot water. Drink three to five cups (750–1250 ml) a day. Since the plant is so gooey, it does not combine well with other plants. Nevertheless, it can be found in some herbal cough syrups. Herbal extracts in capsules and tablets providing 5–6 grams of marshmallow per day can also be used, or it may be taken as a tincture—1–3 teaspoons (5–15 ml) three times daily.

Marshmallow is generally safe with only rare allergic reactions reported. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with marshmallow.

Suzi

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

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It's also a good edible plant. The leaves can be eaten raw or

lightly cooked (steamed they're awesome). I bought a single tiny

plant at a herb gathering 4 years ago. After 2 years of growth I

dug up the roots in the early spring and divided it more in an area

of my land which is too wet to plant normally. Now I have 2 large

patches. It grows high and has lots of beautiful flowers.

It is interesting to compare some similiar uses with another

favorite demulcent, comfrey. Lots of crossover in applications as

also with slippery elm. An old name for it is mortification root,

after it's use for eliminating mortification (gangarene). A wild

relative, mallow, can be used similiarly though it has less of the

mucilaganous property. Learn general herbal properties and it

becomes easier to knowingly switch back and forth among herbs

depending on what you have available.

So from grub to treating gunshots, marshmallow has a lot to

offer for permacultural additions to your yard. It's one of those

plants I like to share with others so they have it in their yard

too. That expands the herbs we have available for not only our own

use but our community's use as well. Thus we build recipocating

relationship between plants, patients, yourself, the community, and

the earth as a whole. A very good plant to know.