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Marshmallow
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Floating in a steaming cup of cocoa or
skewered on a sharp stick, marshmallows seem
little more than glorified sugar puffs. It's hard to believe that
the sugary confections have a place in medical history-even
though the modern kind no longer contain the herb that gives them
their name. Real marsh mallow is a plant with a long root that
actually does grow in a marsh. Nineteenth century doctors
extracted juice from the marsh mallow plant's roots and cooked it
with egg whites and sugar, then whipped the mixture into a foamy
meringue that later hardened, creating a medicinal candy used to
soothe children's sore throats. Eventually, advanced
manufacturing processes and improved texturing agents eliminated
the need for the gooey root juice altogether. Unfortunately, that
eliminated the confection's healing properties as a cough
suppressant, immune system booster and wound healer.
Healing with Marsh Mallow:
Although the herb isn't widely available in
America, with a little luck, you can find marsh mallow teas or
crushed marsh mallow root at health food stores. Make a tea by
boiling ½ to 1 teaspoon of crushed root per cup of water for 10
to 15 minutes. You may also find marsh mallow gel, which used
externally on cuts and abrasions. This herb is effective at:
- Quieting a cough and soothing sore throats: The flowers, leaves and roots of the marsh mallow plant all contain a thick, gooey substance called mucilage. "This substance soothes irritation in your throat and helps you stop coughing," claimed the late Heinz Rosler, Ph.D., formerly with the department of medicinal chemistry at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. In fact, when pitted against two other remedies in an Eastern European study of cough suppressants, marsh mallow outperformed both. IN Germany, teas containing marsh mallow are commonly sold for this purpose.
- Soothing a cut: Used externally, marsh mallow gel may help heal minor abrasions like cuts, scrapes and burns.
- Boosting the immune system: In one
experiment, marsh mallow enhanced the ability of white
blood cells to devour invading germs. This suggests that
the plant's traditional use in wound treatment may have a
sound scientific basis.
Pick Your Own:
Marsh mallow grows in marshes, bogs, damp
meadows and along stream banks. The plant is a 5 foot perennial
with a long taproot. The stems, which die back each autumn, are
hairy and branching. The roundish, gray-green leaves are also
hairy and grow about 1 to 3 inches long. The plant produces pink
or white flowers in summer.
Want to grow your own? This plant flourishes in
moist soil under full sun. Propagate it from seeds, cuttings or
root division in autumn. Thin to 2 feet apart. Harvest roots only
from plants over 2 years old. In fall, when the top growth has
died back, dig out mature roots and remove the lateral rootlets.
Wash, peel and dry them whole or in slices.
Safety Considerations:
There's nothing in medical literature
suggesting that marsh mallow is dangerous in any way. Still, it's
always best to use medicinal herbs in consultation with your
doctor. If marsh mallow causes discomforts such as stomach upset,
discontinue use.
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