marshmallow

Althaea officinalis
Flavor Profile and Uses

  • Pleasant, earthy flavor that makes excellent teas, extracts, and throat lozenges
  • Leaves, flowers, and roots are medicinal (anti-inflammatory) and full of gooey mucilage that is good for healing irritated mucosa
  • Traditionally used to treat inflammation of the urinary tract and respiratory system
  • Can be used topically to soothe irritation by making a herbal wash, poultice, or balm
 
Identification

  • Thrives in full sun and can be found in many different soil types, but happiest in moist, fertile soil (including swamps)
  • Grows 4 – 5’ tall with soft, downy, silvery green, 2 – 3” leaves
  • Flowers are white and composed of five petals that can have a purple hue
  • Produces large clumps (up to 2’ long), of fibrous roots that are whitish-yellow and full of rich, gooey, medicinal mucilage
 
Harvesting Instructions

  • Harvest leaves a dry, sunny days as plant begins to flower, cutting a few branches and leaves at a time throughout the season (to maintain root health, it’s best not to mow down the entire plant)
  • Dry leaves in a single layer on a rack in a sheltered, well ventilated area until crumbly
  • Store in an airtight container (preferably with paper or desiccation packets added to absorb moisture and prevent molding over time)
  • Plant must be 2 – 3 years old before being harvested for roots
  • Harvest roots in the fall or spring
  • Roots must be washed thoroughly before drying but take care not to soak the root excessively as many of its medicinal properties are water soluble and could be leached out in the process
  • Soil can get compacted in the central crown where the roots begin to branch out, therefore it is helpful to quarter the roots before washing
  • Loosen the soil around the dead plant then dig by hand with a spade, fork, or shovel – carefully work the root out of the ground, maintaining as much of it as possible without breakage
  • Cut up and wash long roots with a scrub brush - soil can get compacted in the central crown where the roots begin to branch out, therefore it is helpful to quarter the roots before washing
  • Dry on a screen and chop finer and store or grind for use in lozenges
Carpenter, Jeff, and Carpenter, Melanie. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.