ENGLISH NAME: Marshmallow
LATIN NAME: Althaea officinalis
LOCAL NAMES:
Czechia: Proskurník lékařský
Turkey: Hatmi çiçeği / Gülhatmi
Bulgaria: Лечебна ружа (Lechebna ruzha)
Georgia: სამკურნალო ალტეა (Samkurnalo altea)
COUNTRY: Bulgaria, Czechia, Turkey, Georgia
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: South Moravian floodplains (Czechia), Marmara and Aegean coasts
(Turkey), Danube River Valley (Bulgaria), Colchic lowlands (Georgia)
Elevation: 0–1000 meters
Terrain: Moist meadows, riverbanks, wet ditches, and marshy areas
DESCRIPTION:
A tall, softly hairy perennial herb with velvety, grey-green leaves and pale
pink to white hibiscus-like flowers. The plant can grow up to 1.5 meters high.
Its mucilaginous root and leaves have long been valued in traditional medicine
for soothing irritated tissues.
USABLE PARTS: Root
(primarily), leaves, flowers
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
Highly demulcent and soothing, used for dry coughs, sore throats, gastritis,
ulcers, and urinary irritation. Also applied topically for burns, wounds, and
dry or inflamed skin. The mucilage content coats and protects mucous membranes.
UNDESIRED EFFECTS:
Generally very safe. May reduce absorption of other drugs taken at the same
time due to mucilage.
COMBINING WITH
OTHER MEDICINES:
Often combined with licorice root, slippery elm, or thyme for respiratory
support; with calendula or comfrey for topical wound healing.
PREPARATION:
Roots are used to make decoctions or cold infusions to extract mucilage. Leaves
and flowers can be dried for tea. Fresh leaf poultices are applied topically.
HARVEST TIME:
Late summer to autumn (roots); early to mid-summer (leaves and flowers)
HARVEST METHOD:
Dig roots from second-year plants in autumn. Clean, peel, and slice before
drying. Pick leaves and flowers on dry, sunny days.
CONSERVATION
(STORAGE):
Dry in a warm, shaded area with good airflow. Store roots and aerial parts
separately in airtight containers. Use within 1–2 years for best mucilage
content.