12/01/2025
Let’s talk about one of the sweetest, softest herbal allies out there… and no, I don’t mean the fluffy white candy. I mean marshmallow, the original one.
This plant is basically the queen of soothing. If you’ve ever worked with anything gooey, slippery, or slimy in the herbal world, you’ve already met a demulcent. Marshmallow is loaded with those beautiful polysaccharides that become thick and mucilaginous when soaked in water, perfect for cooling, coating, and calming hot, irritated tissues.
I reach for marshmallow when someone is dealing with:
✨ a dry spasmodic cough
✨ a sore throat that feels like sandpaper
✨ digestive inflammation (ulcers, heartburn, colitis, etc.)
✨ irritated urinary tract or kidney stones
✨ dry, itchy, unhappy skin
One of the most magical things about marshmallow is how it works systemically. Even though the mucilage never touches your lungs or kidneys directly, the body still responds with deep, whole-body moistening. It’s like your tissues all collectively sigh in relief.
It’s gentle. It’s safe. And it’s been loved for thousands of years, for good reason.
If you want to try working with it, start with a cold infusion of the root. Let it sit for a few hours (or overnight) and watch it transform into a thick, soothing tonic your body will instantly recognize as comfort.
The full monograph is on the blog if you want to explore its history, uses, and preparations in more depth. Marshmallow is truly one of those herbs every home apothecary should know. 💛🌿
