By skyforbes 
Althea officinalis-Marshmallow
I didn’t get around to harvesting and drying the Althea officinalis root last fall. We have had a few really nice days here and I had some time so I decided to go ahead and dig up the Marshmallow before it grew too much more and the energy left the roots.
Marshmallow root is one of the herbs I like to have on hand at all times. I use it mostly in the winter for colds, cough, and sore throats. I like to mix it together with other herbs and drink it as a “tea” or infusion.
Before I go much farther, lets look at the process of harvesting and drying this wonderful herb root.
This is three entire plants that I dug up. These plants are two years old. You can see they have quite a root system on them. I planted them in a slightly raised bed so that had nice loose soil to grow in.
After digging them up, I used the garden hose to get all the dirt and grime off them. You can see the green shoots starting already (it’s January)in the picture. Optimally, I would have liked to harvest when they didn’t have these shoots on them.
These two pictures show the roots being chopped up in small pieces. I use a tray that is lined with paper towels to dry the roots. Cutting them in small pieces is important for two reasons. First, it helps the roots dry quickly and second, when you use the root, you want it to be in small pieces so that you can get all the healing properties from it. The root is easy to cut into tiny pieces now but will be dry and very hard later.
Here’s the really cool part!! you can take these pieces with the shoots on them and re-plant them and harvest again in two years. I don’t know if you noticed from the picture above, but there a lot of shoots….that means you can have more plants or you can share with your herb loving friends.
Here is a closer picture of the root after being chopped up. I let it dry (make sure it is dry or it will mold) and put it in sealed glass jars in a dark place until I need to use it.
Marshmallow is a member of the Malvaceae family. There are over 10,000 plants and shrubs in this family. Other members of this family are hibiscus, okra, cotton, and cacao.
Althea comes from the Greek Altho-to cure.
Marshmallow is considered a non-toxic herb and has no known contraindications. Due to its mucilage content, it will interfere with the absorption of iron and some medications if taken at the same time.
It has been used as a food since ancient times and can be added to winter soups. Yes, the first marshmallows were made out of marshmallow roots. Here is a recipe.
The main constituent in Althea officinalis is mucilage, it is this mucilage that makes is antitussive (cough relieving), demulcent (forming a film over mucous membranes), and emollient (soothing to skin when used externally)
It has been used for GI tract inflammation and stomach issues, sore throat, ulcers, dry cough, cough suppressant, burns, eczema, boils
Parts used: Leaf or Roots can be used. Can be used internally and externally. Externally for emollient properties.
I use this in Cold Tea in the winter.