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Botanical Name Of The Plant: Althaea

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Genus: Althaea

Synonyms: Mallards. Mauls. Schloss Tea. Cheeses. Mortification Koot.
(French) Guimauve.
Parts Used: Leaves, root, flowers.
Habitat: Marsh Mallow is a native of most countries of Europe, from Denmark southward. It grows in salt marshes, in damp meadows, by the sides of ditches, by the sea and on the banks of tidal rivers.
In this country it is local, but occurs in most of the maritime counties in the south of England, ranging as far north as Lincolnshire. In Scotland it has been introduced.

Description:It is a perennial herbs having 6 to 12 species.The marshmallow plant can be found growing in damp, wet areas including meadows and marshes . Native to regions of Europe and western Asia. They are found on the banks of rivers and in salt marshes, preferring moist, sandy soils. The stems grow to 1-2 m tall, and flower in mid summer. The leaves are palmately lobed with 3-7 lobes. Althaea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix quadrigemina.

The stems, which die down in the autumn, are erect, 3 to 4 feet high, simple, or putting out only a few lateral branches. The leaves, shortly petioled, are roundish, ovate-cordate, 2 to 3 inches long, and about 1 1/4 inch broad, entire or three to five lobed, irregularly toothed at the margin, and thick. They are soft and velvety on both sides, due to a dense covering of stellate hairs. The flowers are shaped like those of the common Mallow, but are smaller and of a pale colour, and are either axillary, or in panicles, more often the latter.

The stamens are united into a tube, the anthers, kidney-shaped and one-celled. The flowers are in bloom during August and September, and are followed, as in other species of this order, by the flat, round fruit called popularly ‘cheeses.’

The genus formerly included a number of additional species now treated in the genus Alcea (Hollyhocks).

The root contains starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, and asparagine. The root and leaves of the plant are used medicinally.

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For many years marshmallow plants have been used to relieve coughs and sore throats, as well as for chapped skin and minor wounds.

Cultivation: Marsh Mallow used always to be cultivated in gardens on account of its medicinal qualities. It is said to have been introduced by the Romans.

It can be raised from seed, sown in spring, but cuttings will do well, and offsets of the root, carefully divided in autumn, when the stalks decay, are satisfactory, and will grow of their own accord.

Plant about 2 feet apart. It will thrive in any soil or situation, but grows larger in moist than in dry land, and could well be cultivated on unused ground in damp localities near ditches or streams.

Constituents: Marsh Mallow contains starch, mucilage, pectin, oil, sugar, asparagin, phosphate of lime, glutinous matter and cellulose.

Medicinal Uses:

Both the root and the leaf of the marshmallow plant contain a substance known as mucilate, a mucusy substance that does not dissolve in water. It is this substance that causes marshmallow to swell up and become slippery when wet. This attribute of the marshmallow plant gives it the ability to soothe irritation of the mouth, throat and stomach, as well as to relieve coughing.

In herbalism mallow is used as a gargle to treat mouth and throat ulcers. It is also useful for gastric ulcers.

The flowers and young leaves can be eaten. They are often added to salads or boiled and fried. They are also used in cosmetics for the skin.

The root has been used since Egyptian antiquity in a honey-sweetened confection useful in the treatment of sore throat. The later French version of the recipe, called pâte de guimauve, included an eggwhite meringue and was often flavored with rose water. Pâte de guimauve more closely resembles contemporary commercially available marshmallows, which actually no longer contain any actual marshmallow.

The root’s emulsifying property is used for cleaning Persian carpets in the Middle East. It is regarded as the best method to preserve the vibrancy of vegetable dyes used in coloring the carpet’s wool.

Marshmallow is also believed to have a limited ability to fight infection and boost the immune system.

While the effectiveness of marshmallow has not been substantiated by human pharmalogical studies, it has been used in connection with:

*Asthma
*Common cold/sore throat
*Cough
*Crohn’s disease
*Diarrhea
*Gastritis
*Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
*Indigestion
*Pap smear (abnormal)
*Peptic ulcer
*Ulcerative colitis
*Dosage and Administration

A recommended dose of marshmallow is 1 1/-4 teaspoons (6 grams) of the root per day. Marshmallow can be prepared as a tea to be taken 5 times a day. Herbal extracts in capsule and tablet form 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.

Soothing demulcent, vulnerary. A very mucilaginous herb to soothe inflammation and ulceration e.g. Cystitis, hiatus hernia, sore throats, often combined with other herbs for such complaints. (Bartram 1998) Ask the herbalist.

This herb has been used for years as a wound healer with excellent results. Due to its drawing power it is added to many formulas. It is used externally for varicose veins, skin abscesses and dermatitis.

Marshmallow’s highest medicinal acclaim is as a demulcent. Internally it has a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated tissues of the alimentary canal, and urinary and respiratory organs. It is suppose to ease the passage of kidney stones and is used in combination with other diuretic herbs for kidney treatments which assist in the release of gravel and stones. It works very well for urinary problems.

Marshmallow has factors which combine with and eliminate toxins, helping the body to cleanse. This makes marshmallow an excellent herb to add to other formulas to help neutralize toxins that are the causative factors of arthritis.

Marshmallow is also very soothing to any sore or inflamed part(s) of the body. As well as the urinary tract, this herb will sooth an irritated digestive tract and help with diarrhea or dysentery. And it will soothe the lungs and throat, too Try using it in your own home made cough syrup or in you home made cough drops!

This herb will also help to increase a mothers milk flow and it is high in Calcium and Vitamin A as well as many other nutrients.

For every cup of water put in one teaspoon of root (cut). (Four teaspoons for 1 quart.) Simmer for 10-20 minutes and let stand until it is cool. Drink 2-4 cupfuls a day.

Bodily Influence:-

Astringent: This herb has a constricting or binding effect, for example: one that checks hemorrhages or secretions by coagulation of proteins on a soft surface

Demulcent: This herb softens and soothes damaged or inflamed surfaces such as the gastric mucous membranes.

Diuretic: This herb increases the secretion and flow of urine

Emollient: This herb softens and soothes inflamed tissue; softens and protects the skin

Galactogogue: This herb promotes the flow of milk
Laxative: This herb stimulates bowel movements

Lithotriptic: This herb dissolves urinary calculi (stones)

Mucilant: This herb protects mucous membranes and inflamed tissues

Nutritive: This herb helps with the process of assimilating food and has the property of nourishing

Tonic: This herb restores, nourishes, and supports the entire body; it exerts a gently strengthening effect on the body

Vulnerary: This herb assists in the healing of wounds by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.regaininghealthnaturally.com/Herb_Information/Marshmallow_Root.shtml
http://www.nutrasanus.com/marsh-mallow.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Althaea_(genus)
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mallow07.html

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