Botanical Name
- Family Malvaceae
- Althaea officinalis
Common Names
- Moorish Mallow, Cheeses, White Maoow, Althea, Mortification Root, Sweet Weed, Wymote, Mallards, Schloss, Schloss Tea, Malvavisco, Kitmi, Bismalva
Cautions
- The absorption of other drugs may be delayed because of the mucilage’s in the herb.
- If using the tincture for digestive or urinary disorders, use the hot-water method to reduce the alcohol.
Description
Indigenous to Asia, marshmallow is now found in temperate zones worldwide, preferring salty marshes, fields, and tidal zones. Related to the hollyhock and common mallow, marshmallow is a downy perennial, growing to about seven feet, producing thick, white roots, heart-shaped leaves, and pink flowers. The aerial parts are gathered in summer as the plants begin to flower, while the root is harvested in autumn.
Key Actions
- alleviates local irritation
- anti-inflammatory
- decreases blood sugar (hypoglycemic)
- diuretic
- demulcent (soothes)
- expectorant
- heals wounds
- stimulates phagocytosis (boosts the immune system)
Key Components
- mucilages (11% in roots less in leaves and flowers)
- pectins (11% in roots)
- starches (37% in roots)
- flavonoids
- salicylic and other phenolic acids
- sucrose
- asparagine
- coumarins
- tannins
Medicinal Parts
- Flowers, leaves, roots
Remedies
Gargles are used for sore throats and gum inflammations.
Ointment from the root is used for boils and abscesses or burns.
Infusions from the leaves are used to treat coughs, diarrhea, cystitis, and frequent urination, or used externally as an eye compress.
The fresh, crushed flowers (or in an infusion) are applied warm to soothe inflamed skin.
The powder is used as a binding agent in the manufacture of pills.
Syrups are made from infusions to treat coughs.
Decoctions, tinctures, and poultices can be used for all manner of inflammations.
Traditional Uses
The root counters excess stomach acid and soothes and protects mucous membranes.
It is commonly used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis, as well as a variety of other intestinal problems, including regional ileitis, colitis, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
It has long been used to treat inflammations of the bladder, urethra, and ureters. Although not a powerful antibiotic, it does relax the muscular wall of the bladder significantly, causing the release of bacteria that may have been pocketed in the bladder. Recently, it has been recommended as a possible treatment for IC (interstitial cystitis), a new bladder disorder baffling physicians.
Its demulcent qualities bring relief to dry coughs, bronchial asthma and congestion, and pleurisy.
The peeled root has been used as a chew-stick for teething babies; and, in Persia, it is used in the manner to reduce inflammation in teething babies.
After steeping, the mucilage from the leaves and roots is used as a soothing product for dry hands, sunburn, dry hair, in lotions, or in facial masks to treat such skin conditions as psoriasis.
A soothing eye compress can be used to soften the skin around the eyes.
Although marshmallow flowers are rarely available commercially, garden hollyhock flowers can be used as an alternative to make expectorant syrups for coughs.
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