Historically, A. officinalis was named by the Greeks who used it as their “official healer”, with “Althos” meaning healer in Greek. The family name, Malvaceae, comes from the Greek word malake or “soft” referring to the soft mucilaginous texture of the plant. This herb has grown to be so fascinating with a long enduring history. It has been used for a wide variety of ailments and has always been known to be very nutritious. The plant’s root has been taken advantage of for many things, both historically and in modern times. It is said that this herb can act as an amazing demulcent, gentle food, an emollient, healing and soothing injuries inside and out. It was extensively used for gangrene, for the kidneys, the respiratory system, eyes, skin and more. In fact, Hippocrates was one of the many historical figures that used marshmallow for healing wounds. Also, Theophrastus (c.372-286 BC) reported that this herb was taken in sweet wine as a treatment for coughs. Dioscorides, another Greek physician, prescribed a vinegar infusion as a
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Many of the poorer inhabitants of Syria, especially the Fellahs, Greeks and Armenians, live for weeks on herbs, of which A. officinalis is one of the most common. The roots are said to form a palatable dish when boiled first and fried with onions and butter. In times of scarcity, when the inhabitats face the failure of the crops, this plant, which fortunately grows there in great abundance, is much collected and used for food.
One of the most well known original uses of A. officinalis is the "marshmallow" itself, which became the fluffy white dessert sweet we know today as a marshmallow. Unfortunately, today's marshmallows have nothing in common with their herbal ancestors. Instead of healing they do the exact opposite, wrecking the human body with dyes, sugars, preservatives, and gelatins that sometimes come from animal
Many of the poorer inhabitants of Syria, especially the Fellahs, Greeks and Armenians, live for weeks on herbs, of which A. officinalis is one of the most common. The roots are said to form a palatable dish when boiled first and fried with onions and butter. In times of scarcity, when the inhabitats face the failure of the crops, this plant, which fortunately grows there in great abundance, is much collected and used for food.
One of the most well known original uses of A. officinalis is the "marshmallow" itself, which became the fluffy white dessert sweet we know today as a marshmallow. Unfortunately, today's marshmallows have nothing in common with their herbal ancestors. Instead of healing they do the exact opposite, wrecking the human body with dyes, sugars, preservatives, and gelatins that sometimes come from animal