Herb. No. 049 · Malvaceae
Salt marshes and river edges of Europe and western Asia.
Native · Europe · West Asia
Native Also grown
OpenGentleplant
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
A velvety marsh mallow whose root and leaf soothe raw mucosa.
Mucilage is the medicine — a slippery coat for throat, gut, and bladder irritation. Cold infusion extracts it better than a rolling boil. A beautiful silver perennial for damp ground.
Flavor
Mild, sweet-vegetal, and distinctly slippery — almost no bitterness.
Parts used
Root · Leaf · Flower
In favor
- Very gentle
- Lovely garden plant
- Pairs with hotter herbs
Against
- May slow absorption of medicines taken at the same moment
- Needs damp soil