True marshmallow (Althaea offizinalis), is also popularly called bushy velvet poplar. By the way, in English it is called Marsh Mallow. In the past, marsh mallows were actually prepared from the leaves, stems and roots of marshmallow, while today synthetic substances are used for the sweet. Marsh marshmallow belongs to the mallow family. It is impossible to imagine natural medicine without marshmallow.
Occurrence and cultivation of marshmallow
Its origin is marshmallow in Central Europe and the south of the continent, but it has spread to Africa and Siberia. Its origin is marshmallow in Central Europe and the south of the continent, but it has spread to Africa and Siberia. Wild occurrences of marshmallow are found on moist saline soils. The plant is also a protected species. However, marshmallow is usually only seen as a cultivated plant. Then it is cultivated on nutrient-rich and moist soils. These must be quite deep because of the long marshmallow root. The plant can grow up to 2 meters into the sky. The stems appear so rigid because they are hardly branched. The heart-shaped, large leaves are very decorative. Stems and leaves are velvety hairy and in the summer months between early June and late August, marshmallow bears purple-white flowers. Thus, marshmallow is reminiscent of the related hollyhocks, which are used in natural medicine in the same way, but the flowers of hollyhocks are more colorful. The young flowers that the marshmallow repeatedly sprouts in the course of the growing season are used, as well as the roots. The roots of the marshmallow extend up to 50 centimeters into the earth. Here, the valuable mucilage is concentrated particularly intensively. In the months of September, October and November, you can harvest the roots.
Application and use
Already in the times of Charlemagne (747 to 814), the healing properties of marshmallow were known. The Carolingian emperor therefore had marshmallow intensively cultivated. The healing and soothing effect of the marshmallow root is used to treat stomach and intestinal complaints as well as coughs, sore throats and hoarseness. To this day, marshmallow is an important medicinal plant, the root is in many cases an effective ingredient of cough syrups. A boiling of marshmallow flowers with a little water and a relatively large amount of honey is also effective against coughs. Because the root of marshmallow contains a particularly large amount of valuable mucilage, parts of the root should not be boiled, but prepared as a cold extract. This preserves the powers of the mucilage. In addition, marshmallow contains saponins, essential oil, ephedrine, asparagine, coumarins, tannic acid, tannins and zinc. The young leaves and tender shoots of marshmallow, on the one hand, enhance the spring salad, and on the other hand, the relaxing and detoxifying properties have a positive effect on the whole organism. For centuries, marshmallow has had considerable importance in natural medicine.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention
If you put 2 teaspoons of cut root pieces of marshmallow in ¼ liter of cold water, let everything brew for at least 6 hours and then strain the liquid through a sieve, you will get an effective cough-relieving tea for home use, which is good for colds. The batch heals, soothes, relaxes and tones sore muscles, insect bites, minor burns and bruises. As a wash or bath, marshmallow tea is effective in the treatment of uncomfortably dry skin and against the discomfort of weeping eczema. Soothing and effective is a marshmallow leaf tea for stomach and intestinal disorders, against flatulence, diarrhea and constipation. For this, 2 teaspoons of leaves are poured over boiling water. After infusion for about 10 minutes, the strained tea is drunk unsweetened. The tea is beneficial for bladder infections and bladder stones. A preparation of marshmallow root has an irritation-relieving effect. As a gargle solution, it soothes the oral cavity and counteracts inflammation of the gums, mouth and throat as gently as effectively. It also eliminates bad breath. Marshmallow can also be used to prevent other general skin problems. Wound-healing effect is a porridge from the leaves of the plant, which as a mask soothes and relaxes irritated skin. In addition, the plant porridge can be used as a poultice. You make the marshmallow porridge by finely grating the root and mixing it with honey. The porridge is spread on a clean linen cloth.
