Marshmallow

Table of Contents:

1. Description
2. Origin
3. Uses
4. Culture
5. Sources
6. Thanks to...

Althaea officinalis
Family: Malvaceae

Common names: marshmallow, mortification root, sweet weed, wymote, marsh malice,
mesh-mellice, althea

Marshmallow is perennial with an erect habit, woody taproots, and woolly stems. Grows 120-150 cm tall. Leaves are alternate and greyish-green in colour, with star-shaped hairs on both sides. The lower leaves are toothed, circular in shape with 3-5 lobes. Upper leaves are ovate to lanceolate, pointed, lobed and toothed. Pink or white flowers with 5 notched petals are borne on the upper leaf axils. Flowers have a velvety calyx with six to nine outer segments and five triangular sepals.

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Origin

Europe: Marshmallow has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. The ancient Greeks, Romans and herbalists in the Renaissance period all recommended this herb for its soothing properties. The original 'marshmallow' confection was made from the roots of A. officinalis. Roots contain starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, and asparagine.

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Uses of Marshmallow and claims

• Culinary:
  • fresh leaves can be added to salads;
  • roots are boiled and fried with butter and onions.
• Medicinal: protects and soothes mucous membranes;
  • root soothes discomfort caused by excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration, gastritis; mildly laxative, beneficial for intestinal problems like regional ileitis, colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome; root ointment used for boils, abscesses, mouthwash for inflammation.
  • leaves treat cystitis, frequent urination; demulcent qualities relieve dry coughs, bronchial asthma, bronchial congestion, pleurisy;
  • flowers soothe inflamed skin;
• Industrial: none

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Culture

• Propagation: Marshmallow can be propagated from seed, cuttings, and root divisions. Seeds germinate in three to five weeks and plants can be transplanted by hand or with a machine in 10 to 12 weeks.
• Cultivation: Prefers a sunny site and moist soil with a neutral pH and adequate drainage. Space plants 45 cm apart in rows 60-75 cm apart.
• Soil Type: Marshmallow does not require excessive amount of nutrients and will do well if the field has had a good cover crop the previous year and is well manured
• Harvest: The roots are usually harvested in the fall of the second year. Leaves should be picked fresh because they do not preserve well. Cut back the plant after it has flowered to encourage new leaves.

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Sources

• Bremness, L. 1994. Herbs. Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
• Chevallier, A. 1996. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Reader's Digest Association.
• Kowalchik, C. and W. H. Hylton Eds. 1998. Rodale's illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press.
• Sturdivant, L, T. Blakely. 1999. Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field & Marketplace. San Juan Naturals.
• McVicar J. 1998. Jekka's Complete Herb Book. Raincoast Books

Thanks to

This demonstration garden was a result of the efforts of Dr. Alan McKeown, Vegetable Scientist, University of Guelph and was made possible with grants from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Tobacco Diversification Program.

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