Marshmallow Root
Althaea officinalis
Malvaceae
Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa
Perennial
Soothing
Mucilaginous
Ancient
Ancient Egyptians mixed sap from the marshmallow root with honey to make a chewy, soothing treat reserved for gods and royalty – the distant ancestor of the modern marshmallow candy, which today contains no marshmallow root at all.
- Root long steeped or chewed to soothe throat and digestive irritation – a historical practice, not a clinical claim.
- Leaves used as a poultice for skin irritation in traditional European herbalism.
- Root’s natural mucilage historically thickened confections and lozenges before gelatin took over the job.
- A soft-stemmed perennial growing 2 to 4 feet tall, with downy, grey-green leaves.
- Pale pink, five-petalled flowers bloom in late summer.
- Thick, fibrous, mucilage-rich root just beneath the soil surface – the part used in herbal preparations.
- Prefers damp ground and is often found growing in marshes, salt marshes, and wet meadows.
- Native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, long cultivated as both food and medicine.
The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
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