Marshmallow
| Botanical Name | Althaea officinalis |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Other Names | Sweetweed |
| Habitat | Marshes, ditches, riverbanks or near coast. |
| Description | Perennial 90cm/3ft. Grey-green alternate short stalked triangular or heart shaped toothed leaves, White root Tall erect stems. Soft hairs Flowers June-September single pale pink or white. |
| Native to | Britain, Europe |
| Parts used | Root, leaves |
| Cultivation | Damp but not wet soil, sunny position |
| Harvesting | Leaves: after it has flowered. Root: late autumn |
| Actions | Leaf: Demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant Root: Demulcent, diuretic, emollient, vulnerary |
| Constituents |
Leaf: Mucilage, traces of essential oil Root: 25-35% mucilage; 25-30% starch: tannins, pectin, asparagines, volatile oils, fixed oils and resins, saponins |
| Combines with | Comfrey, liquorice, horehound white, slippery elm |
| Culinary Uses | Root to make the original sweet marshmallow. Young leaves in salads. Roots boiled with butter |
| Skin | Swellings, sunburn, tired eyes, hair loss |
| Respiratory | Sore throats, chesty coughs, bronchitis |
| Dosage | 2-5gm dried powered root 3xs a day 2-4gm as a tea 3xs a day |