Botanical Name: Althaea officinalis | Family: Malvaceae
Common name(s): Marsh Mallow
GROWING
- Perennial; herbaceous | Zones 5-8 | 3-4 feet tall | Pale pink flowers mid to late summer
- Prefers open meadows near water | Grows in sun or shade
HARVESTING
Harvest the deep roots in spring or fall. Harvest the flowers and leaves at any time.
PREPARATION / DOSAGE
Decoction: Add 1 teaspoonful of chopped root to 1 cup water and boil gently for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3x/day.
Infusion: Pour boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the dried leaf and let sit for 10 minutes. Drink 3x/day.
Tincture: Take 1-4ml 3x/day.
External: Use to relieve skin conditions. Can be used in the bath for soothing itchy, dry skin / eczema
MEDICAL
Constituents: Polysaccarides, flavonoids, betaine, coumarins, beta-carotene, vitamin B, calcium
Actions: Demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant (leaf), vulnerary (root)
Uses: Soothing all kinds of inflamed tissues, both internally and externally
Combinations: Combine with comfrey for ulcerative conditions, with Licorice and White Horehound for bronchitis, and with slippery elm for ointments.
SOURCES
- Homegrown Herbs, by Tammi Hartung
- Holistic Herbal, by David Hoffmann
- Medicinal Herbs, by Rosemary Gladstar
- photo credit: Althaea officinalis . Marsh Mallow via photopin (license)
This is THE plant the original marshmallow was made from!
