In this month's Herb of the Month episode, we're diving into the soothing medicine of Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)—a gentle yet powerful herb from the Malvaceae family. Every part of this plant has medicinal value, making it a staple in herbal practice.

Marshmallow is best known for its cooling, moistening, and soothing properties, thanks to its rich mucopolysaccharide content. It excels at calming hot, dry, and inflamed tissues throughout the body. In my clinical practice, I often prepare a cold infusion of the root to extract its nourishing starches or to preserve its delicate mucilage for deep hydration and inflammation support. The leaves make a wonderful tea for respiratory health, while the flowers are a lovely addition to salads or flower essences.

This versatile herb has a wide range of uses, from soothing bladder irritation and respiratory issues to easing topical inflammation like bug bites, burns, and ulcers. It is incredibly safe—even for pregnancy and breastfeeding—but should be taken away from medications, as it may affect absorption.

At its core, Marshmallow is a medicine of softening—offering comfort, restoration, and deep nourishment. I hope this episode helps you appreciate its gifts and inspires you to bring this gentle ally into your herbal toolkit!

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Resources:

Purchase Althea officinalis non-GMO seeds or small live potted plants here - https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/?s=marshmallow&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&ixwps=1

Frontier Organic Marshmallow Root - https://amzn.to/3EJLcmh

Book - "Flower" Power by Anne McIntyre - https://amzn.to/4hL52Mt

Book - "Herbal" by Joseph Wood Krutch - https://amzn.to/4hJ5gns