Marshmallow is a soothing, healing demulcent, considered valuable for all lung ailments, including asthma. It has been used for centuries to soothe sore throats, ease a cough, and treat ulcers and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is particularly useful against irritations caused by diarrhea and dysentery. Marshmallow is also an excellent anti-inflammatory that helps relieve swollenand irritated joints.

DESCRIPTION AND PARTS USED

Many varieties of the mallow species grow well in home gardens and are a valuable addition to any herbal plot. The small-leafed mallow has long, slender stems, rounded toothed leaves, and small pale pink or lavender flowers. Its round fruits are known as “cheeses.” Country-bred children sometimes eat them when serving them to their dolls as a tea-party delicacy.

Herbal BeautyThe leaves and roots are harvested in autumn and the own outer covering is removed. The whitish inner core is the so of the demulcent substance and was once used to make marshmallows. Today, a bag of marshmallows contains nothing but sugar, gelatin, and preservatives.

HISTORICAL NOTES

During his reign, King Charlemagne (A.D. 742-814) decreed that the marsh mallow be planted throughout his kingdom to ensurean abundant supply. Perhaps the king had ulcers and wanted this soothing herb on hand.

About 800 years after Charlemagne’s death, master herbalist Culpeper described the “bloody flux” from which his son suffered. The London College of Physicians called this dread disease “the plague in the guts.” Many died from it. However, Culpeper wrote in his journal that his son was healed after just two days on the “Mallow cure.” As treatment, Culpepergave the “bruised and boiled in milk and drink.” boy, Mallow

The experts say marshmallow seeds, being a plant of the salt marshes, probably arrived in America as part of the dried straw packing used to cushion fragile imports.

SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS

All the mallows have mucilaginous properties. In pharmacological lingo, this refers to substances that absorb water, swell, and form a viscous fluid. Mucilage forms a fine layer on the surface of a mucous membrane, thereby protecting it from irritants, soothing any inflammation, and giving the body an opportunity to heal the affected area. Mucilage is not absorbed into the body, so its effects are always purely local. In other words, marshmallow tea will soothe a sore throat and relieve a cough caused by irritation in the throat, but it won’t do a thing to cure a cough or sore throat arising from a systemic infection.

TRADITIONAL USE

internal. Heat destroys the mucilaginous properties of this herb. To brew a healing mallow tea, make a cold infusion by soaking 1 heaping tablespoonful (1/2 ounce or 14.175 grams) of the herb overnight in 6 ounces of cold water. Warm the infusion slightly the following day and strain off the exhausted herb parts. Drink 2 to 3 cups throughout the day.

External. Mallow root, powdered or well-crushed, “may be relied upon to remove the most obstinate inflammation and prevent mortification,” or so says an old herbal. If you want to try one of the old ways of preparing a mallow poultice, simply save the herbal residue left over from the cold infusion, warm slightly, slather the damp herbs on a piece of white bread and apply herb-side down to the affected part.

CONSIDERATIONS

The mallows are mild in action and free of unwanted side effects.

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