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Marshmallow Root Powder
Marshmallow grows in
salt marshes, damp meadows, by the side of ditches, by the sea, on the
banks of tidal rivers and is also known as althea, which is derived from
the Greek word ‘althe’ meaning to heal. During the reign of Charlemagne
in the 9th century, Marshmallow was cultivated as a vegetable,
the Romans considered it a delicacy and the plant was used to sustain many
people throughout Europe during times of famine. |
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Recently, because it has similar mucilage properties
(ability to create mucus) to those of slippery elm, Marshmallow root is
being used as a substitute binding agent and in some herbal remedies as
many elm trees are becoming endangered due to Dutch Elm Disease.
Due to its excellent ability to soothe and coat the body’s
internal wall lining the traditional therapeutic uses of Marshmallow root
have included easing inflammation of the intestines, the urinary and the
respiratory systems. The mucus coating protects internal structures from
local irritation and in the case of the gastrointestinal track from excess
stomach acid.
Marshmallow has a general calming effect on the body and
can help ease dryness and irritation in the chest and throat caused by a
persistent cough. Marshmallow has also been used to relieve kidney
problems, infections of the urinary tract and when applied externally can
assist the healing of boils and abscesses.
Marshmallow contains high levels of Vitamin A, calcium,
zinc as well as iron, sodium, iodine, B-complex and large carbohydrate
molecules that make up the mucilage which coats the body’s internal wall
lining.
Country Park’s Marshmallow root power and shaved root is
easily added to hard feed and is useful for horses that have or may have
stomach ulcers, a continual dry cough and for older horses that have poor
digestion.
Helen Nicolaou
References:
www.viable-herbal.com,
www.purplesage.org.uk,
www.dropinbucket.com,
www.hygain.com.au |
