Welcome to Friday Herbal Spotlight!

Every Friday I will be spotlighting a herb I have been loving and using in my daily life with you!

Today's herb is Marshmallow Root!

Marshmallow Root Benefits and Fun Facts

You might be thinking... why do I need to learn about marshmallow root? Well, I’m glad you’re curious! This amazing herb isn’t just related to the sweet, gooey treat we roast over a campfire—it’s so much more. Let’s dive into its fascinating history, health benefits, and even how it can help your hair!

What is Marshmallow Root?

Marshmallow root, or Althaea officinalis, belongs to the mucilage-heavy Malvaceae family. This herbaceous perennial thrives in damp environments like marshes, riverbanks, and coastal areas. For over 2,000 years, people around the world have relied on marshmallow root for its healing properties.

In traditional folk medicine, marshmallow root was known for its ability to soothe and moisten mucous membranes in the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts. It was also commonly applied externally as a poultice for burns, wounds, and skin irritations.

Personally, I chose to write about marshmallow root because I’ve been battling a cold this past week, and marshmallow root tea has been my go-to remedy for healing my respiratory system.

How to Use Marshmallow Root Tea

I love making marshmallow root tea, especially when I’m feeling under the weather. My favorite method is to combine it with loose-leaf green tea, and sometimes I’ll add a few drops of peppermint for extra flavor and soothing effects. Marshmallow root on its own has a mild, earthy flavor—not the most exciting—but blending it with your favorite tea makes it much more enjoyable. Feel free to experiment with what works best for you!

Ayurveda and Marshmallow Root

In Ayurveda, marshmallow root is revered for its ability to balance the doshas. It’s particularly beneficial for reducing vata (dry, airy energy) and increasing kapha (moist, grounding energy). Energetically, it’s considered cold, sweet, and moistening—perfect for soothing dryness and inflammation in the body. We love adding a little Ayurvedic balance into our daily routines, don’t we?

Fun Fact: The Origins of Marshmallows

As the story goes, marshmallows are one of the oldest desserts in the world! Ancient Egyptians made candies reserved for gods and royalty by mixing honey with marshmallow root. Fast forward to the 1850s, and marshmallows evolved into something closer to what we know today. They were handmade by combining marshmallow root with corn syrup, egg whites, and water, then heated to create a sweet, fluffy confection. By the 1900s, mass production replaced marshmallow root with gelatin—but you can still bring back the original by making your own natural marshmallows!

More Health Benefits of Marshmallow Root

Besides its respiratory and digestive benefits, marshmallow root has other incredible uses:

• Skin Care: Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties, marshmallow root can soothe skin irritations like eczema, psoriasis, and sunburn. It’s a common ingredient in natural creams and serums.
• Hair Health: Marshmallow root is a game-changer for taming frizz and detangling hair. Its mucilage coats the hair, making it easier to manage while leaving it hydrated and shiny. Peep my recipe below for you to try out!

Tame your Mane Detangle Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 Tbsp organic marshmallow root 
• 1 Tbsp aloe vera gel
• 10 drops organic lavender essential oil 
• 5 drops organic rosemary essential oil 

Optional: 1 1/3 tsp. Hair Oil

Directions:

1. Place water and marshmallow root in small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until reduced by half, about 30 minutes.
2. Strain out the liquid and compost or upcycle the spent marshmallow root.  
3. Allow marshmallow tea mixture to cool. 
4. Pour mixture into an 4 oz. spray bottle. Add aloe vera gel, lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil, and optional carrier oil of choice. 
5. Place spray bottle cap on and shake mixture vigorously.
6. Spritz throughout hair from root to tip as desired.
7. Keep refrigerated and use within 4-7 days. 

Add a few drops of witch hazel to help with shelf life! The linked products are the ones I use and love! I do have a discount code for the hair oil which gives you 10% off use code appalachianyogi10