Marshmallow Root 4:1

History and Uses:
Marshmallow's genus name, Althea, is derived from the Greek word, althe, which means "to heal." Marshmallow, which is also known as Althea, was originally an ingredient in the candy we also know as Marshmallow, and its powder has been used as a binding agent to hold other herbs together in making pills. Marshmallow has been commonly substituted in herbal remedies for Slippery Elm, another herb known for its high mucilage content, because its source, the elm tree, has become endangered, due to Dutch Elm Disease. Marshmallow is a native of most countries of Europe, from Denmark southward, and is also found in the western United States. It grows in salt marshes, in damp meadows, by the sides of ditches, by the sea and on the banks of tidal rivers. Marshmallow has nourished many people. The plant has been utilized for thousands of years, not only as a food during times of famine, but also for its healing properties as an herbal remedy. Served as a vegetable, the plant was considered a delicacy among the Romans. During the reign of Charlemagne in the ninth century, Marshmallow was promoted as a cultivated vegetable, and in France, the young tops and leaves are eaten uncooked in salads. Primary chemical constituents in Marshmallow include substantial mucilage, polysaccharides, flavonoids (quercetin), kaempferol, asparagine, tannins, lecithin and pectin. The great demulcent and emollient properties of Marshmallow make it useful in inflammation and irritation of the alimentary canal and of the urinary and respiratory organs. Recently, Marshmallow has been used as an expectorant to treat a variety of upper respiratory problems. Marshmallow also contains large amounts of vitamin A, calcium, zinc and significant amounts of iron, sodium, iodine and B-complex vitamins. Like slippery elm, Marshmallow reduces inflammation and has a calming effect on the body. The active constituents in Marshmallow are large carbohydrate (sugar) molecules, which make up the mucilage. This smooth, slippery substance can soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes. Although Marshmallow has primarily been used for the respiratory and digestive tracts, its high mucilage content may also provide some minor relief for urinary tract and skin infections. Marshmallow's mucilage content helps soothe inflamed tissues often caused by bronchitis, and it also relieves dryness and irritation in the chest and throat, usually brought on by colds and persistent coughs. Marshmallow has been known to relieve indigestion, kidney problems, urinary tract infections and even external skin wounds such as boils and abscesses.