For the confection, see marshmallow.

Althaea is a perennial herb found commonly on the banks of rivers and in salt marshes, preferring moist, sandy soils. It is indigenous to Europe, and portions of Asia, flowering from July to September.

Both the leaves, flowers and the root of A. officinalis (marshmallow) have medicinal properties. The leaves, which are collected in summer as the plant begins to flower, have demulcent, expectorant, diuretic, and emollient properties. It is generally used in ailments of the lungs and the urinary systems, specifically in urethritis and urinary gravel. The root, which is harvested in late autumn, has demulcent, diuretic, emollient, and vulnerary properties. It is generally used for digestive and skin problems, specifically inflammations of the mouth, gastritis, peptic ulcer, enteritis and colitis. Externally the root is used in varicose veins, ulcers, abscesses, and boils.

The root contains starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose and asparagine.

See also

• Marshmallow Fluff

External links

Section Herbal information

• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) (http://www.healthy.net/library/books/hoffman/materiamedica/marshmal.htm) Herbalist David Hoffmann @ Health World

Section Eclectic herbal information

• Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) (http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/althaea.html) King's American Dispensatory @ Henriette's Herbal
• Mallow, Marsh (Althaea officinalis) (http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mallow07.html#mar) Mrs. Grieve's "A Modern Herbal" @ Botanical.com