Marshmallow - An Herbal Medicine?
It's truly amazing how so many of our favorite 'treats' today originated as herbal medicinal remedies.
Marshmallows being one of them.
When you hear that word you automatically think of a soft, white, puffball of pure sugar, right?
Surprisingly to many, marshmallow is actually a plant. A plant that grows and thrives naturally in marshy areas, hence the name, 'marsh'mallow (scientific name: "Althaea officinalis').
Originally found in Europe and Western Asia It has been used since antiquity to soothe wounds, sore throats, ulcers, aid toothaches and constipation, aid sunburns, and provide general anti-inflammatory properties to the body, especially where there are conditions of dryness.
In fact, when you think 'dry' you should automatically think 'marshmallow'.
And believe it or not, using it medicinally is even easier than getting a spoonful of herb, boiling a pot of water, throwing it in, straining it, waiting for it to cool, and calling it 'tea time'!
Because with marshmallow, it works best as a cold water infusion.
Meaning you simple get your spoonful, get some room temperature (structured, preferably!) water, throw it all in a jar, and leave it in your fridge overnight for a perfectly soothing remedy in the morning.
See, when marshmallow seeps in water that has not been heated, it releases a substance called 'mucilage', or a thick gel, almost like mucous from a plant!
Sounds gross, but, when your own body is getting stuck before producing its own mucous, (dryness, remember?) it's exactly what you need and will learn to want after trying it once. As long as its the herb you need in that moment!
Below are some studies/papers on the use of the marshmallow plant.
Read them.
Think about them.
Enjoy the learning.
Happy reading. :-)
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STUDIES & RESOURCES:
(The studies below are nowhere near an exhaustive list. Always continue your own research and read the papers within each paper below.)
3) Protective Effects Of Ginger And Marshmallow Extracts On Indomethacin-Induced Peptic Ulcer In Rats
4) Althaea Officinalis In Traditional Medicine And Modern Phytotherapy
8) Natural remedies: For gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
9) Pharmacological Evaluation Of Aqueous Extract of Althaea officinalis Flower Grown in Lebanon
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. I am not a doctor. I am simply sharing my opinions and studies as a clinical herbalist, researcher, and fellow human being on health topics and methods. Always take my opinions, thoughts, and advice with a grain of salt. Try them on for size but always by your own consent. And continue your research. Remember: your health is your own.
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