What Happens If You Make Tea Out Of Marshmallow

Do you know where those sweet, puffy marshmallows come from? Today it's all sugar, but back in the day it was actually made from the marshmallow plant! I'm not kidding, it's a real plant, and it's got some amazing medicinal qualities. It's also known by the popular names Joseph's Staff and White Mallow.

Marshmallow teaPhoto byRichelleg

The Background

The Greek word "heal" comes from this genus Althaea's name. The capacity of marshmallows to encourage the body's natural healing process was seen to be their greatest benefit by the ancient Greeks. It was specifically used topically for wounds, burns, and dry skin, as well as for stomach issues, coughs, sore throats, and blood purification.

Marshmallow root has antibacterial and antioxidant qualities. As with any herbal treatment, consult your doctor first, always. There have been interactions shown with some diuretics and other medications and marshmallow plant.

What's It Good For?

The high mucilage content of the marshmallow plant, especially the leaves, is what makes this plant such a powerhouse. Mucilage is a gelatinous material that is composed of protein and polysaccharides. This slightly slimy or sticky material is what gives marshmallow its effectiveness, and can help treat the following:

Marshmallow teaPhoto byRichelleg

• Reduce intestinal inflammation
• Indigestion, reflux, and ulceration in the stomach
• Reduce mouth discomfort and inflammation
• Reduce throat irritation and inflammation to reduce coughing
• Avoid or manage constipation
• Reduce the inflammation brought on by small burns and wounds, dry skin, skin eruptions including boils and acne, splinters, abrasions, and insect stings and bites.
• Help relieve the signs of kidney stones and urinary tract infections
• Alleviate gout and arthritis
• Encourage renal function and serve as a diuretic
• Where to Find This Plant

This resilient plant grows best in damp areas or close to the coast. It can even flourish in saline wetlands.

Marshmallow plantPhoto byRichelleg

How To Harvest

After proper identification if you're foraging, or cultivation if planting, roots are harvested in early autumn. Take a few of the roots and leave some for next year. After harvesting, the roots need to be properly washed, cut into ½-inch or 1 ¼-pieces, and dried right away. Leaves can be collected after the plant has flowered in summer.

You can also find amazing supplements online in either capsule, tea, tincture, or dried form.

Cold Infused Marshmallow Recipe DIY

Ingredients

Marshmallow root, dried

Lukewarm water

Marhsmallow teaPhoto byRichelleg

Directions:

• Take a clean jar and fill it 1/4 of the way with dried root, then fill the jar with lukewarm water.
• Stir the mixture gently to ensure that all of the root material is moistened.
• Put an airtight lid on your jar and let it infuse overnight, at least 8 hours.
• Give the jar a good shake, then strain the plant material from the liquid. The resulting liquid should have a small viscosity and be pale yellow in color.
• You could also make a single cup at a time by spooning one heaped teaspoon of the dried root into a cup of lukewarm water. Let it steep overnight, then strain and drink in the morning.

There are a few uses for this infusion:

• As a mouthwash to relieve cuts on the tongue or cheeks, gum inflammation, and mouth ulcers. If you do this, don't swallow it. Rinse for one minute, and spit.
• To relieve a sore throat, gargle and swallow.
• Drinking this infusion reduces inflammation, indigestion, and constipation when taken regularly.
• You can apply it topically to small burns and wounds.

Dried root teaPhoto byRichelleg

Indeed, you may use this infusion to make classic marshmallows as well. However, that is a different recipe!

Quantity

Depending on (a) the purpose and (b) the method of preparation, different doses or amounts can be used.

• Root powder: six grams per day
• Leaf: ten grams per day
• Syrup: ten grams or ounces per day
• Apply ointment or cream three times a day.
• Use two grams in 240 milliliters of cold water for mouthwash or gargle (never use warm or hot water).

Marshmallow teaPhoto byRichelleg

Purchased preparations, as opposed to homemade ones, come with usage guidelines and dose information printed on the package. These need to be carefully read and followed.

To ensure that a new supplement won't interfere with your other prescriptions, always see your doctor before taking any new ones.

In Conclusion

For generations, people have used marshmallow root as a natural treatment to heal and relieve many ailments. In particular, marshmallow root helps ease respiratory, digestive, and skin health issues. It is high in antioxidants and antimicrobials.

Marshmallow root can be found in teas, tinctures, capsules, and other extract forms, as well as in skin care products including salves, balms, and creams, both online and at health food and grocery stores. If you're good at wild foraging, you can find them growing wild, or in your garden as well!

Dried rootPhoto byRichelleg

Citations:

MARSHMALLOW: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. (n.d.-b). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-774/marshmallow

Cronkleton, E. (2019, March 30). Everything You Need to Know About Marshmallow Root. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/marshmallow-root

Berry, J. (2019, April 2). What are the benefits of marshmallow root? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324860