Marshmallow Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Marshmallow Leaves – 100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Marshmallow relieves various forms of irritation and inflammation, especially irritation of mucous membranes. It aids the body in expelling excess fluid and mucus. It strengthens the digestive system and improves the functioning of the immune system. Marshmallow is an ingredient in many lung preparations and cough syrups, as well as preparations for urinary tract problems, stomach ailments, and wound healing. The German Commission E has approved the leaf for irritations of the mouth and throat, mucus control, and associated dry coughs. The root is used for the same ailments as the leaf as well as for mild inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Cough and laryngitis. Approximately 35 percent of the weight of the marshmallow comes from mucilage, which coats irritated linings of the mouth and throat. Since this mucilage acts in the same way as natural mucus, it prevents cough rather than stimulating the release of mucus. Therefore, marshmallow is appropriate for dry, hacking coughs rather than for relieving congestion. In addition, the herb is known to stimulate phagocytosis, the immune process in which cells called macrophages engulf and digest infectious microorganisms.

Stomach ailments. Teas of marshmallow contain complex polysaccharides that form a protective layer on the stomach lining. These polysaccharides swell to twelve to fifteen times their original volume when they meet the fluids of the stomach, completely coating its lining.

Recommended Use
Marshmallow is available in fluid extracts, powders, and tinctures for internal use, and as a cream for external use. The usual dose is 6 grams a day. When using the marshmallow syrup, be aware of it sugar content; some have very high amounts of sugar and should be avoided by patients with diabetes.

Marshmallow can impair the absorption of many drugs. Therefore, allow a two-hour period between using this herb and other orally administered drugs. Japanese researchers have learned that the mucilages in marshmallow can lower blood sugars when injected into laboratory animals. For this reason, the official guidelines for the use of medicinal herbs in the European Union counsel caution in the use of the herb by people with diabetes. There is no evidence, however, that marshmallow products taken orally or externally can cause hypoglycemia or otherwise interfere with diabetes treatment.

Botanical Name: Althaea officinalis
English: Marshmallow, Mallow Leaves, Hollyhock
Also, known as: Altea, altee, althea, Bardul khatmi, Benefischi, Bismalva-hibiscus, Blanca malva, Bon visclo, Bourdon de St Jacques, Eibisch, Eibischwurzel, Erva molle, Guimauve, Heilwurz, Hobbiza, Ibischwurz, Khairi, khatmi, Korzén prawóslazu, Marshmal, Malvaccioniu, Malvavisco, Marmolone molotta, Moorish mallow, Orvosiziliz gyökér, Racine d’althée, Racine de guimauve, Sammetpappel, Sauvage, Schleimwurzel, suzmool, Sweet weed, White mallow, Wymote, Gul-Khairu, K’uei, Malve, Malvavisce, Mallards, Mauls, Schloss Tea, Cheeses, Mortification Root/ Leaves, Shemai-tutti, Aslua Khitmi, Reshah-e-Khatmi
Unani: Khatmi
Habitat: Western Asia & Europe
Origin: Poland
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Root

General Information:
Althaea officinalis perennial herb with erect, woody stems, 60-120 cm high. Leaves alternate, ovate to slightly cordate, serrate, velvety, large, occasionally 3-lobed. Flowers pale pink, axillary, the calyx of each surrounded by a 6 9 cleft involucre. The stems, which die down in the autumn, are erect, 3 to 4 feet high, simple, or putting out only a few lateral branches. The leaves, shortly petiole, are roundish, ovate-cordate, 2 to 3 inches long, and about 11 inches broad, entire or three to five-lobed, irregularly toothed at the margin, and thick. They are soft and velvety on both sides, due to a dense covering of stellate hairs. The flowers are shaped like those of the common Mallow, but are smaller and of a pale color, and are either axillary or in panicles, more often the latter. The stamens are united into a tube, the anthers, kidney-shaped and one-celled. The flowers are in bloom during August and September and are followed, as in other species of this order, by the flat, round fruit called popularly cheeses.

Roots are obtained from commercially cultivated plants that are at least 2 years old and harvested in the autumn. Marshmallow is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavoring. This category indicates that marshmallow can be added to foodstuffs in small quantities, with a possible limitation of an active principle as yet unspecified in the final product. Previously in the USA, marshmallow has been approved for use in foods.

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.