Marshmallow Root

🌸 Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

Also known as: Sweet Weed • White Mallow • Althaea
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)
Origin: Eastern Europe & North Africa
Parts Used: Root (dried and powdered or cut & sifted)
Primary Use: Internal & External – Soothing, Healing, and Hydrating

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✨ Description

Marshmallow Root is the gentle healer of the plant world — soft, nurturing, and deeply restorative.
Used since ancient Egyptian times, this herb is rich in mucilage, a natural plant compound that becomes silky when mixed with water, making it one of the most soothing remedies for irritation, inflammation, and dryness in the body.

Internally, Marshmallow Root coats and protects delicate tissues of the throat, lungs, stomach, and urinary tract, easing everything from coughs to heartburn.
Externally, it calms skin irritations, burns, and wounds, making it a beloved ingredient in herbal salves and poultices.

Its energy is cooling, moistening, and compassionate, ideal for anyone needing gentle care, whether physically or emotionally.

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🍵 Internal Uses & Benefits

As a soothing and hydrating tonic:

• Digestive Support: Coats the stomach and intestines, easing acid reflux, ulcers, and irritation.
• Respiratory Health: Calms sore throats, dry coughs, and bronchial inflammation.
• Urinary Comfort: Relieves irritation in the bladder and urinary tract.
• Hydration & Recovery: Supports mucosal health during fever or dehydration.
• Gentle Detox: Soothes the system while aiding toxin removal.

Directions (Internal Use):

• Cold Infusion (preferred): Steep 1 tablespoon of Marshmallow Root in 1 cup of cool water for 4–8 hours, then strain.
• Warm Tea: Add to blends for soft sweetness and texture.

Pairs beautifully with Licorice Root, Mullein, or Slippery Elm for full respiratory or digestive blends.

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🌬️ Smoking & Aromatic Use

While not typically smoked alone, Marshmallow Leaf and Root are often added to smoke blends for their smooth, cool burn and gentle texture.
In small amounts, they soften harsher herbs like Damiana or Lobelia, promoting calm breathing and lung hydration.

Best Combined With:

• Mullein – for smooth smoke and lung cleansing.
• Blue Lotus – for relaxation and dreamwork.
• Lavender or Rose Petals – for calm, aromatic balance.

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💧 External Uses

• Poultice: Apply the softened root directly to skin for burns, bites, or swelling.
• Skin Soak: Add to warm water for eczema or irritation.
• Hair & Scalp Care: Use in masks or rinses to hydrate and calm dryness.
• Bath Ritual: Combine with Chamomile and Calendula for a soothing, heart-centered bath.

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🔮 Metaphysical & Energetic Uses

Element: Water
Chakra Alignment: Heart & Throat
Marshmallow Root carries a gentle, motherly energy — protective, loving, and healing.
It teaches softness, emotional release, and the importance of care.
Used in spiritual baths and emotional healing rituals, it calms the mind and nurtures the heart through transitions and grief.

Affirmation:

“I am safe, supported, and softened by love. My body and spirit are whole and healed.”

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🌿 Pairing Suggestions

• Mullein or Licorice Root – for throat and lung support.
• Slippery Elm or Ginger – for digestive health.
• Chamomile or Rose – for emotional balance and comfort.
• Dandelion or Burdock – for detoxification with gentle hydration.

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🌼 Harvest & Sourcing

Our Marshmallow Root is organically cultivated and shade-dried, preserving its natural mucilage content and healing essence.
Harvested at maturity from rich European soil, it is carefully ground and packaged for teas, syrups, or herbal skincare recipes.

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⚖️ Energetics & Taste

• Taste: Mildly sweet, earthy, and slippery.
• Energetic Profile: Cooling, moistening, soothing, nurturing.

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⚠️ Warnings

• Safe for most adults and children.
• May delay absorption of medications due to mucilage coating — separate doses by at least 2 hours.
• Store in a cool, dry place to preserve its natural softness.

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🌻 A Note from the Herbalist

Marshmallow Root is the herb I reach for when comfort is needed — for body or soul.
It doesn’t force healing; it invites it. It soothes inflammation not just in the tissues, but in the spirit.
A reminder that tenderness is strength, and healing begins with gentleness.

🐾 Marshmallow Root for Animals (Dogs, Cats, Horses, and Livestock)

✅ Generally Safe when used in moderation and in pure, food-grade form.
It’s often recommended by holistic veterinarians as a soothing demulcent for the same reasons humans use it — to calm inflammation in the digestive, urinary, and respiratory tracts.

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🐶 Dogs

Uses:

• Eases dry coughs, kennel cough, and throat irritation.
• Soothes the stomach and intestines (great for gastritis, acid reflux, or vomiting).
• Helps urinary tract issues or bladder irritation.

How to Use:

• Use a cold infusion or decoction (tea) — not raw powder alone.
• Add 1–2 teaspoons of the cooled tea per 20 lbs body weight to food or water daily.

Caution:

• Always ensure fresh water is available — the mucilage can thicken slightly.
• Space at least 2 hours from prescription meds (Marshmallow’s mucilage can coat the gut and reduce absorption).

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🐱 Cats

Uses:

• Safe in tiny amounts to ease cough, constipation, or mild inflammation.
• Works well in cold infusions (never alcohol tinctures).

How to Use:

• Add ½ teaspoon of cooled tea to wet food or water once daily.
• Avoid dry powder unless blended into food — cats dislike the texture.

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🐴 Horses

Uses:

• Promotes healthy digestion and coats the stomach lining.
• Eases cough, ulcers, and respiratory inflammation.

How to Use:

• Mix 1–2 tablespoons of Marshmallow Root powder into feed or soaked beet pulp once daily.
• For cough or ulcer support, steep in warm water first.

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🐄 Livestock / Goats

Uses:

• Helps maintain digestive balance and respiratory comfort.
• Supports gentle detox and hydration.

How to Use:

• Add a handful of root or 1–2 tablespoons of powder per animal to feed several times weekly.

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⚠️ Precautions for All Animals

• Avoid giving tinctures or extracts with alcohol.
• Do not combine with prescription medications at the same time (wait 1–2 hours).
• Not a replacement for veterinary care — especially for infections or chronic illness.
• Always introduce gradually to monitor tolerance.

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🌿 Summary

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💬 From the Herbalist:

Marshmallow is one of the few herbs that truly bridges human and animal wellness — safe, gentle, and hydrating for all.
It’s a go-to herb in my apothecary for soothing inflamed tissue, from a horse’s stomach to a dog’s throat.
Just remember: small doses, plenty of water, and patience — Marshmallow works through softness, not force. 💧