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| Althaea officinalis |
Used to treat wasting diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes, cough, pleurisy, dryness & inflammation of the lungs, bronchitis, gangrene, septicemia, ulcers, enteritis, colitis, pain of kidney stones, difficult or painful urination, diarrhea, dysentery, conjunctivitis, rheumatism, gravel in kidneys, blood in the urine, stool, or nose & vomiting or spitting of blood.
Also used as a gargle for sore throats, coughs, whooping cough, laryngitis, bronchitis, mastitis, malnutrition & sore mouths, externally as a poultice for burns, skin eruptions, wounds, bee stings, cuts & boils.
It will also release retained afterbirth.
Excellent to bathe sore & inflamed eyes.
Also good for lung trouble,hoarseness, catarrh, diarrhea & dysentery & all kidney diseases.
ROOT:
Marshmallow root is typically used to soothe & protect irritated mucous membranes in, for example, acid indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome & chronic bronchitis.
Marsh mallow root is more than 11 percent mucilage & 37 percent starch, making it an exceptionally rich, nutritive tonic.
The root’s large sugar molecules swell upon contact with water, creating the sweet mucilaginous gel that marsh mallow is so famous for.
It is probably most well known for its soothing actions on the bladder & kidneys & is an important ingredient in many formulas for treating bladder & kidney infections.
It can be used to soothe ulceration of the digestive system & related digestive upsets such as gastritis, peptic ulceration & inflammation of the system in general, such as that caused by IBS, IBD & ulcerative colitis.
It can be used to treat mild constipation as well as diarrhoea.
It helps neutralize excess acid in the stomach, making it useful in cases of stomach ulcer.
While marsh mallow root may not have exceptional antiviral, antibacterial, or other infection-fighting properties, its soothing, demulcent action makes it an excellent aid for dry coughs, as it lubricates & moisturizes the lungs.
It is also often combined with more-aggressive &/or irritating herbs to mellow their effects.
It is especially recommended for phlegm in the lungs, bronchitis, coughs & hoarseness, as well as for laryngitis, tonsillitis & dry mouth.
An ointment of the dried root heals burns.
The root can also have a lubricating effect on the joints & skeleton in general & can be useful in the treatment of arthritis & related joint conditions, as well as on stiff muscles.
Mallow root can be made into an ointment or used as a poultice.
Crushed, boiled & folded into a cloth, it may be placed on boils, sores or ulcers.
A simple medicinal rub can be made by adding dried, powdered root to any vegetable oil, shortening, or petroleum jelly.
LEAVES:
The leaf is preferred for urinary tract problems such as mild cystitis as well as respiratory tract issues.
The leaves make a soothing eye compress.
Spring shoots of Mallow are eaten raw in salads & as a kidney stimulant.
FLOWERS:
The flower soothes the skin & contains high levels of antioxidants.
Marsh mallow is good for keeping babies bums soft & dry.
Topically, it makes a wonderful ointment for drawing boils & abscesses, to remove toxins from the wounds, as well as to treat insect bites.
If it causes minor discomforts such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it.
The absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed.
RECIPES:
The tea is prepared with 1 tbsp of fresh leaves, stem, root, flower, or all parts.
If you use dried herb, decrease amount to a 1 tsp.
Not to destroy the mucilage in the plant,place it in a cup of cool water & let sit several hours or over night.
2 - 3 cups of the slightly warmed tea are sipped throughout the day.
This is a pleasant drink, reminiscent of hibiscus, when the flowers are used.
The gin is used when there is no inflammation of the kidneys present. Recommended is a cup of mallow tea 3 times a day, to which is added 1 tbsp of gin.
Soothing mucilage:
gently boil 1/2 - 1 tsp of dried root to
1 cup of water for 15 minutes.
Drink up to 3 cups a day.
For wounds & external application add water to dried ground root till you have a gel consistency to apply.
The seeds can be sprinkled on salads like nuts.
The velvety leaves & pinkish flowers are edible & tasty in salads.
The root of the plant tastes sweet, similar to a parsnip.
The young leaves are good cooked & they also make thickening for soups.
Mix young leaves into salads & add to oil & vinegar,steam leaves & serve as a vegetable.
Some Middle Eastern peoples boil marshmallow & then fry it with onions & butter.
A confection made from the herb was the inspiration for the candy called marshmallow.
For inflammations such as esophagitis & cystitis, use 25 g root to 1 liter water & boil down to about 750 ml.
The root boiled in milk, will prove beneficial in treating diarrhea & dysentery. It will also enrich the milk of nursing mothers & at the same time increase milk flow.
Marshmallow Root Cough Syrup:
1½ -2½ tsp chopped dried marsh mallow root
2 cups water
2 cups refined sugar
¼ cup orange juice
Stir the marsh mallow root into the water & bring it to a boil.
Lower the heat a& simmer for 20 minutes.
Strain the decoction into another saucepan; you should have about a cup.
Over low heat, gradually stir in the sugar, so that a thick syrup forms.
Simmer the mixture for another 5 minutes.
Make sure the grains are fully dissolved.
Stir in a small amount of water if the mixture gets too thick.
Let the mixture cool slightly, then gradually mix in the orange juice.
Pour the syrup into a sealable container & cover it when it is cool.
Allergy Tea:
2 cups water
½ tsp each echinacea root & marshmallow root
1 tsp chamomile flowers
½ tsp peppermint leaf
¼ tsp ginger rhizome
Combine water & echinacea & marshmallow roots in a saucepan & simmer for about 5 minutes.
Turn off heat & add remaining ingredients.
Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs.
Tonic for Bladder Health:
1 part chickweed top
1 part dandelion leaf
1 part marsh mallow root
1 part nettle leaf
Take 1 tbsp of mixed herb, pour over 1 cup of boiling water, let it steep for 10 min.
Drink 2 to 3 cups daily.
This is a soothing, healing remedy for bladder irritation — not quite a full-blown infection, but rather a low-grade, chronic irritation.
Infusion:
1 tsp. dried herb in 1 cup water, simmer for 10 minutes, let stand until cool. Drink 1 - 2 cups a day, in large mouthful doses.
A cold infusion of the root can be made by adding 1 tsp of the dried root in 1 cup of cold water.
Marshmallows:
Make sure the mallow roots aren’t moldy or too woody.
Marshmallow gives off almost twice its own weight of mucilaginous gel when placed in water.
4 tbsp marshmallow roots
28 tbsp sugar
20 tbsp gum tragacanth or gum arabic
Water of orange flowers for aroma or instead of plain water
2 cups water
1-2 egg whites, well beaten
Make a tea of marshmallow roots by simmering in a 500 ml of water for 20-30 min. Add additional water if it simmers down.
Strain out the roots.
Heat the gum & marshmallow decoction in a double boiler until they are dissolved together.
Strain with pressure.
Stir in the sugar as quickly as possible.
When dissolved, add the well beaten egg whites, stirring constantly, but take off the fire & continue to stir.
Lay out on a flat surface.
Let cool & cut into smaller pieces.
Gingered Pumpkin Soup:
1 tbsp butter
3-4 whole marsh mallow plants, chopped
1 tbsp chopped ginger root
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
4-6 cups baked pumpkin
½ cup milk
Melt the butter& sauté the marsh mallow & ginger until tender.
Transfer to a large cooking pot, add the vegetable broth & simmer gently for about 5 minutes, until the marsh mallow & ginger are softened.
In a blender puree until smooth.
BEAUTY:
The liquid from a steeped root can be used to ease sunburn, dry skin & dry hair.
This liquid is also an ingredient for facial steams, masks, lotions, & salves.
A paste of marsh mallow mixed with chamomile tea or water makes an excellent poultice for moisturizing dry, chapped skin.
Marsh mallow is also effective in the bath for soothing itchy, dry skin, including eczema.
Use in facial steam for dry, sensitive skin.
Boil leaves or use the liquid from steeped root, warmed or cold as a healing softener for dry skins, chapped hands & sunburn.
Make into an eye compress to soften skin around eyes.
Marshmallow stimulates skin-cell growth & soothes skin that is irritated from being dry & flaky.
Marsh Mallow face mask:
4 tsp honey
2 tsp almond oil
1 tbsp fresh marsh mallow leaves
Simmer the marsh mallow leaves gently in a covered pan for 10 minutes until nearly all the water has gone.
Blend all the ingredients in a blender for one minute.
Smooth over the face & neck or any area which has been irritated by the sun, wind or other factors.
Leave for at least half an hour, then rinse with tepid water & dry.
It makes the skin beautifully soft & relieves inflammation in young & old alike. It keeps for a day or two in the refrigerator.
MAGIC:
Mallow is carried to attract love.
The flowers are used for garlands & altar decorations.
Apparently Mallow can also be used to encourage a lover who has left you to come back to you.
Marshmallow is often grown on sacred ground.
The seed of the plant gathered at full moon & made into an oil can be used to encourage fertility, as can amulets composed of the leaf & or root.
In European folk traditions, it was carried to attract love & used in protection & exorcism rituals.
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