Medicinal Plant of the Week: Marshmallow

Marshmallow is a beautiful plant and easy to grow.

The Latin binomial of Marshmallow is Althea officinalis. It belongs to the Mallow family along with Hollyhock. When you see officinalis as part of the Latin binomial it tells you that it has a long medicinal history that goes back to the monastery where the monks kept all of their medicinal plants, the officina. The entire plant is medicinal.

It is soothing to the entire digestive system as well as the lungs and bladder. It helps dry hacking coughs, soothes and lubricates the urinary system and helps to pass kidney stones. It's also a wonderful herb to help heal wounds and burns. Marshmallow has tissue preserving properties and can be used on all kinds of bites from spiders to snakes!