Marshmallow, not just a sweet treat!

One of my plant allies...

Yes, Marshmallow is actually a plant, not just a squishy square sweet that most of us love.

(Marshmallow plant, close up of the flower, taken mid summer)

Althea officinalis or Marshmallow is a beautiful herb and the root is such an important herb in my dispensary for gastrointestinal inflammation. Lots of people historically work with Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) for GIT issues. This is becoming endangered so wherever possible I try to combine Slippery Elm and Marshmallow as it grows so well here in the UK, especially where I am in the rainy North! The clue is in the name ‘Marsh’ mallow, the plant loves the high rainfall.

Just briefly, Slippery Elm is a plant I’d love to grow here in the UK and it’s on my wish list for this year. Some herbalists are starting to grow it which is wonderful. It’s so inspiring seeing others growing plants that are not supposed to grow in the UK.

Back to Marshmallow which is a plant I can harvest sustainably and I’ll be taking a harvest very soon. With the weather being so rainy it will be easier to dig up but I don’t fancy getting my waders on to get to the plants as the garden is so flooded right now!

I grow this lovely plant in the garden and on my allotment and its leaves can also be medicinal as they're super soft but more indicated as a demulcent for the urinary tract. More on that next week.

(Althea officinalis leaf)

Traditionally this plant has been used for centuries. It's mucilaginous properties mean it forms a protective layer on the digestive tract, soothing inflammation. Marshmallow root is a herb I always think of for gut issues such as reflux, IBS and gastritis.

Once harvested I’ll dry the root to make tinctures, teas and to make into powder and capsules. I’ve treated myself over Christmas to a new fancy piece of kit to process harder roots into powders so looking forward to trying this out.

Here’s some Marshmallow root:

Did you know that Marshmallow sweets originally were made from this plant? As a powder when added to yoghurt Marshmallow has the ability to really foam up and increase in size and I can see how it can become the sweet we know. I haven’t tried making them myself so for now I’m sticking to the medicinal use for the gut.

I’m creating some new packages to launch this year, one of them is a Gut Reset programme giving patients support over three months. If you're struggling with digestive issues you can book a free call via my website (or message me) to find out more about the Gut Reset programme, spaces are available to start this month.

See you soon,
Cath