Althaea officinalis

Marsh Mallow

a perennial member of the Althaea genus in the family Malvaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Althaea
Life cycle: perennial
Height: 1.2 m
Spread: 0.75 m
Fertility: self fertile
Flower type: hermaphrodite
Pollinators: Bees. self

Uses

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked^[9]^[15]^[2]. They are used as a potherb or to thicken soups^[20]^[7]. When used as a small proportion with other leaves, the taste and texture is acceptable, but if a lot of the leaves are cooked together their mucilaginous texture makes them unpalatable[K]. The leaves can be eaten raw but are rather fibrous and somewhat hairy, though the taste is mild and pleasant[K]. We have found them to be quite acceptable in salads when chopped up finely[K]. Root - raw or cooked^[19]. When boiled and then fried with onions it is said to make a palatable dish that is often used in times of shortage^[15]. The root is used as a vegetable^[20]^[4]^[7], it is also dried then ground into a powder, made into a paste and roasted to make the sweet 'marshmallow'^[15]^[17]^[21]^[6]^[19]. The root contains about 37% starch, 11% mucilage, 11% pectin^[13]. The water left over from cooking any part of the plant can be used as an egg-white substitute in making meringues etc^[20]. The water from the root is the most effective^[7], it is concentrated by boiling until it has a similar consistency to egg white. A tea is made from the flowers^[7]. A tea can also be made from the root^[7].

Plant part: Roots
Preparation: Boiled, Fried
Product or use: Pectin, Egg, Confectionary, Jelly

Plant part: Leaves
Preparation: Raw, Cooked
Product or use: Salad, Potherb

Plant part: Flowers
Product or use: Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Marsh mallow is a very useful household medicinal herb. Its soothing demulcent properties make it very effective in treating inflammations and irritations of the mucous membranes such as the alimentary canal, the urinary and the respiratory organs^[15]^[13]. The root counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis^[13]. It is also applied externally to bruises, sprains, aching muscles, insect bites, skin inflammations, splinters etc^[15]^[12]. The whole plant, but especially the root, is antitussive, demulcent, diuretic, highly emollient, slightly laxative and odontalgic^[15]^[6]^[11]^[16]^[5]. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat cystitis and frequent urination^[13]. The leaves are harvested in August when the plant is just coming into flower and can be dried for later use^[15]. The root can be used in an ointment for treating boils and abscesses^[13]. The root is best harvested in the autumn, preferably from 2 year old plants, and is dried for later use^[12].

Product or use: Antitussive

Product or use: Demulcent

Product or use: Diuretic

Product or use: Emollient

Product or use: Laxative

Product or use: Odontalgic

Material uses

The dried root is used as a toothbrush or is chewed by teething children^[18]^[21]. It has a mechanical affect on the gums whilst also helping to ease the pain. The root is also used as a cosmetic, helping to soften the skin^[21]. A fibre from the stem and roots is used in paper-making^[16]^[19]^[22]^[3]. The dried and powdered root has been used to bind the active ingredients when making pills for medicinal use^[14]. A glue can be made from the root^[22]. The root is boiled in water until a thick syrup is left in the pan, this syrup is used as a glue. An oil from the seed is used in making paints and varnishes^[22].

Plant part: Roots
Preparation: Dried
Product or use: Adhesive, Dental care, Paper, Cosmetic

Plant part: Seed
Product or use: Oil

Environment

Range: Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Habitat: The upper margins of salt and brackish marshes, sides of ditches and grassy banks near the sea^[21]^[6].
Light: full sun
Shade tolerance: no shade
Water: moderate
Hardiness: Zone 3+
Soil textures: sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH: acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil: False
Drought: intolerant
Salinity: tolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer, the germination is often erratic^[12]. Stratification can improve germination rates and time. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[K]. Division in spring or autumn. Fairly easy, it is best to pot up the divisions in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away well and then plant them out into their permanent positions. Root cuttings in December.

Cultivation