This geranium-like herb (Althea officinialis) grows wild along coastal salt marshes in Europe and the United States and can also be cultivated in your garden. The name usually brings to mind the white marshmallow confection, which was originally made from powdered root of marshmallow. Today’s marshmallows, however, no longer have anything whatsoever to do with this very useful herb – being made as they are of a nutritionless conglomeration of corn syrup, sugar, and gelatin.
Powdered or pounded marshmallow root can be used as a poultice to ease skin irritations such as burns, bedsores, and abrasions. The sliced root can also be boiled to make a tea; it is said to alleviate hoarseness and coughs because of its emollient qualities.
An old saying has it that the marshmallow plant will only grow near happy homes.
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