Marshmallow Plant: Medicinal Uses, Side Effects and Information
The marshmallow plant is a 4-5 foot tall decorative perennial herb. It blooms in the late summer with big pink flowers. Its leaves are short-petioled, ovate-cordate, and somewhat rounded.
Common name of the plant
The common name of this plant is marshmallow.
Botanical name and family of the marshmallow plant
It has been used since the olden times to cure a variety of ailments. This plant can be taken in a variety of ways (discussed below). Here is a look at its applications.
1. Heals digestive tract stomach and intestinal ulcer
The marshmallow root has 25% mucilage. Humans cannot digest this mucilage. It has the ability to heal and soothe inflammations in the lining of the digestive tract. All internal irritations subside when this mucilage slides down the GI tract and goes out of the body.
The leaves also have some mucilage along with flavonoids and essential oils. Make a tea or decoction and have it two times to cure your digestive problems. The mucilage forms a protective coating for the GI tract. It rectifies stomach problems, so you become healthy again.
2. Good for coughs
Use the decoction or extract of the marshmallow root to prepare a healing potion for people suffering from cold and cough due to irritation of the lining of the mouth and throat. Here also, the mucilage of the plant helps soothe the irritated tissues of the mouth and throat.
Coating it with mucilage prevents further irritation. This mucilage heals the tissues, and so the person recovers from his ailment.
Take a glass of the decoction or make tea and have it twice a day. This will prove effective in curing the cough. You can also have marshmallow syrup that you get as OTC medicine. This is traditional medicine. (Banana Honey Cough Remedy)
3. Relief for breast pain and breastfeeding
Sore breasts with a lump are an indication of a plugged milk duct. You need to take medicine to unclog the duct and one effective medicine is marshmallow. Take warm showers or warm massages and immediately breastfeed the baby. Marshmallow is considered safe to use while breastfeeding. It does not have any side effects so in all likelihood; it will increase your milk supply.
Use the tea made from the root of the marshmallow plant. Drink this two times a day to get the best effect. The paste is also good for the skin so you can apply it if there are sores in the area.
Marshmallow Plant Medicinal Uses
These leaves have a 30 mm width and a length of 50–70 mm. They have an unevenly serrated border and are thick, whole, or three to five-lobed. They have a thick layer of stellate hair covering that is soft and velvety on both sides. Medicine is made from the roots and leaves of the plant.Common name of the plant
The common name of this plant is marshmallow.
Botanical name and family of the marshmallow plant
The botanical name is Althea Officinalis. It belongs to the Malvaceae family.
Geological places where Althea Officinalis grows
This is indigenous to North Africa, Western Asia, and Europe. It is also commonly found in France, Germany, and parts of the United States that include Arkansas, Nebraska, Northern Dakota, and a few other north-eastern states.
Marshmallow Plant Medicinal Uses
It has been used since the olden times to cure a variety of ailments. This plant can be taken in a variety of ways (discussed below). Here is a look at its applications.
1. Heals digestive tract stomach and intestinal ulcer
The marshmallow root has 25% mucilage. Humans cannot digest this mucilage. It has the ability to heal and soothe inflammations in the lining of the digestive tract. All internal irritations subside when this mucilage slides down the GI tract and goes out of the body.
The leaves also have some mucilage along with flavonoids and essential oils. Make a tea or decoction and have it two times to cure your digestive problems. The mucilage forms a protective coating for the GI tract. It rectifies stomach problems, so you become healthy again.
2. Good for coughs
Use the decoction or extract of the marshmallow root to prepare a healing potion for people suffering from cold and cough due to irritation of the lining of the mouth and throat. Here also, the mucilage of the plant helps soothe the irritated tissues of the mouth and throat.
Coating it with mucilage prevents further irritation. This mucilage heals the tissues, and so the person recovers from his ailment.
Take a glass of the decoction or make tea and have it twice a day. This will prove effective in curing the cough. You can also have marshmallow syrup that you get as OTC medicine. This is traditional medicine. (Banana Honey Cough Remedy)
3. Relief for breast pain and breastfeeding
Sore breasts with a lump are an indication of a plugged milk duct. You need to take medicine to unclog the duct and one effective medicine is marshmallow. Take warm showers or warm massages and immediately breastfeed the baby. Marshmallow is considered safe to use while breastfeeding. It does not have any side effects so in all likelihood; it will increase your milk supply.
Use the tea made from the root of the marshmallow plant. Drink this two times a day to get the best effect. The paste is also good for the skin so you can apply it if there are sores in the area.
SEE MORE:Foods To Avoid During Breastfeeding
4. Cure for parasitic skin infections
Marshmallow helps cure sores and open wounds on the skin. Helminths cause parasitic infections and spend some time on the skin before they move inside.
One example is the swimmer’s itch caused by parasites picked up from common swimming pools, lakes, and ponds. Hookworms are helminths.
Insects such as lice and mites also infest the skin. You can use the paste made from marshmallows to cure parasitic infections caused by the above-mentioned.
It is also used for soothing chapped skin and insect wounds. Apply this paste on burns to enhance quick healing.
5. Help with diarrhea
Diarrhea is the state where you pass feces often and in liquid form. You lose water, and there is inadequate absorption of nutrients from the food you eat.
To get relief from diarrhea, you can have marshmallows in any form, decoction, tea, or extract mixed with fruit juice. This will put a stop to diarrhea.
Remember to drink more water and coffee and soda. It will help if you eat rice, banana, apples, and toast. Other food items that help when you have diarrhea include peanut butter and yogurt. Marshmallow extract mixed with the above food items is the best choice.
6. Relief to constipation patients
Surprisingly, marshmallow is helpful for those suffering from constipation also. In fact, you can use it to rectify most of the disorders of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
By drinking the tea made from the powdered root of the marshmallow plant, a person will get a better bowel movement. He or she will be able to pass motion better because the marshmallow extract will stimulate the GI tract and improve the speed at which food passes through it.
Have the tea twice a day to get the best results.
7. Acts as a pain reliever
The extract of this plant has analgesic properties so you can use it to relieve pain. You can use marshmallow root extract in decoction form to relieve pain from a sore throat or abrasion. Drink the liquid extract three times every day.
8. Has diuretic property
You can get rid of the excess fluid in your body by taking marshmallow extract. The diuretic properties help keep the body free of toxic substances. It supports your overall urinary health.
4. Cure for parasitic skin infections
Marshmallow helps cure sores and open wounds on the skin. Helminths cause parasitic infections and spend some time on the skin before they move inside.
One example is the swimmer’s itch caused by parasites picked up from common swimming pools, lakes, and ponds. Hookworms are helminths.
Insects such as lice and mites also infest the skin. You can use the paste made from marshmallows to cure parasitic infections caused by the above-mentioned.
It is also used for soothing chapped skin and insect wounds. Apply this paste on burns to enhance quick healing.
5. Help with diarrhea
Diarrhea is the state where you pass feces often and in liquid form. You lose water, and there is inadequate absorption of nutrients from the food you eat.
To get relief from diarrhea, you can have marshmallows in any form, decoction, tea, or extract mixed with fruit juice. This will put a stop to diarrhea.
Remember to drink more water and coffee and soda. It will help if you eat rice, banana, apples, and toast. Other food items that help when you have diarrhea include peanut butter and yogurt. Marshmallow extract mixed with the above food items is the best choice.
6. Relief to constipation patients
Surprisingly, marshmallow is helpful for those suffering from constipation also. In fact, you can use it to rectify most of the disorders of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
By drinking the tea made from the powdered root of the marshmallow plant, a person will get a better bowel movement. He or she will be able to pass motion better because the marshmallow extract will stimulate the GI tract and improve the speed at which food passes through it.
Have the tea twice a day to get the best results.
7. Acts as a pain reliever
The extract of this plant has analgesic properties so you can use it to relieve pain. You can use marshmallow root extract in decoction form to relieve pain from a sore throat or abrasion. Drink the liquid extract three times every day.
8. Has diuretic property
You can get rid of the excess fluid in your body by taking marshmallow extract. The diuretic properties help keep the body free of toxic substances. It supports your overall urinary health.
ALSO READ:Health Benefits of Bitter Gourds
Methods of Using Marshmallow
This plant does not show any side effects when taken in normal doses by mouth. There are a few instances where it causes low blood sugar levels. We can also apply the paste of this plant directly to the skin.
It is recommended to avoid use during pregnancy and childbirth. Also, one must avoid use before surgery as it slows blood clotting.
Take the marshmallow one hour before you take any other medicine as there is a chance of interaction.
Methods of Using Marshmallow
- Make a tea by cutting plants for the drug.
- Use the powdered form of the drug as tablets.
- Keep dried extracts to make soluble instant teas.
- Add aqueous extract to the juices.
Side Effects of Marshmallow
This plant does not show any side effects when taken in normal doses by mouth. There are a few instances where it causes low blood sugar levels. We can also apply the paste of this plant directly to the skin.
It is recommended to avoid use during pregnancy and childbirth. Also, one must avoid use before surgery as it slows blood clotting.
Take the marshmallow one hour before you take any other medicine as there is a chance of interaction.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
