Marshmallow Root — FarmPal
Supreme demulcent and mucilaginous healer safe for all ages. Soothes irritated mucous membranes throughout the body from sore throats and coughs to digestive inflammation and urinary tract irritation.
Medicinal Properties
Parts Used
Traditional Uses
- •Sore throats and dry coughs
- •Teething pain (cold root to gnaw)
- •Digestive inflammation (gastritis, reflux)
- •Urinary tract irritation
- •Skin inflammation (topical)
- •Drawing splinters and boils (poultice)
Preparations
Place 1-2 tbsp dried root in jar, cover with COLD water. Cap and refrigerate overnight (8+ hours). Strain thick, slimy liquid.
Dosage: Adults: 1-3 cups daily. Children: 1/4-1 cup. The cold extraction maximizes mucilage do not use hot water.
Chop dried root, fill jar 1/4. Cover with vegetable glycerin. Shake daily 6-8 weeks. Strain will be thick and viscous.
Dosage: Children 1-5: 1/4 tsp as needed for sore throat. 6-12: 1/2 tsp. Soothing and sweet kids accept it easily.
Give dried, peeled marshmallow root sticks to teething babies to gnaw on. The mucilage soothes gums on contact.
Dosage: Supervised gnawing as needed. Replace when soft. Do not leave unattended with infants.
Harvesting Guide
Timing: Harvest roots in fall of second year when plant dies back. Leaves and flowers throughout growing season.
Method: Dig roots, wash thoroughly, peel outer bark for highest quality. Slice while fresh.
Drying: Dry root slices at 95-105°F. Dried root should be white to pale cream colored.
⚠️ Cautions
- •Extremely safe suitable for infants, children, pregnant and nursing women
- •May slow absorption of other medications take 2 hours apart from pharmaceutical drugs
- •The mucilage coating effect is the mechanism of action do not worry about the slimy texture
- •Cold water extraction preserves mucilage better than hot water
- •No known toxicity even in large amounts