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Organic Marshmallow Root | Cut & Sifted | Bulk Herb | Soap Skincare Hair Care Infusion

Organic Marshmallow Root | Cut & Sifted | Bulk Herb | Soap Skincare Hair Care Infusion

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Regular price $5.95 USD
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Organic Marshmallow Root | Cut & Sifted | Althaea officinalis | Bulk Herb | 1, 2, 4 & 8oz

100% Organic Dried Marshmallow Root — Cut & Sifted — Premier Mucilage-Rich Soothing Herb — No Additives · No Fillers · No Binders — Available in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz & 8oz

Organic Cut & Sifted No Additives 1 / 2 / 4 / 8oz Available Ancient Egyptian Origin

Available Sizes: 1oz · 2oz · 4oz · 8oz
Format: Cut & sifted dried root — ready for tea blending, cold infusion, tincture making, soap crafting, skincare formulations, salve making, and all herbal DIY applications.

The candy came second. Marshmallow Root — Althaea officinalis — is the original marshmallow, used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks thousands of years before anyone thought to whip its extract into a confection. The word Althaea comes from the Greek altho, meaning "to heal" — a name that reflects its 2,000-year reputation as one of the most broadly soothing and mucilage-rich botanicals in the entire Western herbal tradition. This is the herb that gave the candy its name: the original marshmallow confection was made by whipping the mucilaginous extract of this root with sugar and egg whites — the fluffy, gel-like properties of the root's naturally occurring polysaccharides producing exactly the light, pillowy texture we recognize today. Now that the candy has long since replaced the herb in popular culture, the root remains one of the most prized botanicals in herbal tea blending, natural skincare, and soap making for precisely those same extraordinary mucilaginous properties. one of the most important soothing, demulcent, and mucous membrane wellness herbs in the Western tradition. Marshmallow Root is naturally extraordinarily rich in mucilaginous polysaccharides — particularly pectin and rhamnogalacturonan — that form a thick, protective, soothing gel when combined with water, coating and calming any surface they contact. Our Marshmallow Root is 100% organic, cut and sifted, with no additives, fillers, or binders.

The original marshmallow: Ancient Egyptians mixed Marshmallow Root extract with honey and nuts to make a sweet confection reserved for royalty and priests — making it one of the oldest documented confections in human history. The modern marshmallow candy replaced the actual root with gelatin in the late 19th century, but the name has stuck for over 4,000 years.

Botanical Profile

  • Botanical Name: Althaea officinalis
  • Common Names: Marshmallow, White Mallow, Sweet Weed, Mortification Root, Wymote
  • Family: Malvaceae (mallow family)
  • Origin: Native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa — used since ancient Egyptian and Greek times
  • Part Used: Root, cut & sifted
  • Color: Pale cream to light tan — fibrous and slightly stringy
  • Aroma: Mild, slightly sweet, and pleasantly earthy
  • Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet, with a characteristic slippery, mucilaginous mouthfeel — the mucilage coats and soothes the throat immediately
  • Key Constituents: Mucilaginous polysaccharides (pectin, rhamnogalacturonan — up to 35% by weight in the root), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), phenolic acids, coumarins, asparagine (amino acid), tannins, naturally occurring antioxidant compounds
  • Cold Infusion Note: Marshmallow Root's mucilaginous polysaccharides extract most effectively in cool or room-temperature water rather than boiling water — a cold overnight infusion produces a richer, more viscous, more soothing preparation than a hot decoction.

Common DIY & Craft Uses
  • Cold Infusion Tea — The most effective preparation method for Marshmallow Root. Place cut & sifted root in cold or room-temperature water and allow to infuse overnight — the cold water draws out the maximum mucilaginous polysaccharide content without degrading it with heat. The resulting infusion is noticeably viscous, slightly sweet, and extraordinarily soothing to the throat and digestive tract. Can be gently warmed (not boiled) before drinking. A foundational herb in throat comfort, respiratory wellness, and digestive soothing tea blends.
  • Herbal Tea Blending — A premier base herb for throat comfort, respiratory ease, and digestive soothing tea formulas. Blends beautifully with Slippery Elm, Licorice Root, Ginger, Mullein, Elecampane, and Calendula. Its mild sweet flavor and soothing mucilage make it an ideal background herb that enhances every formula it joins.
  • Soap Making — One of the most prized herbal additions to artisan soap — the naturally occurring mucilaginous polysaccharides infuse into the soap oils and contribute a noticeably silky, skin-soothing lather. Infuse the root into your soap base oils using a cold or warm infusion method. A highly valued ingredient in natural facial and sensitive skin soap formulations.
  • Skincare Formulations — Infuse into facial toners, serums, and creams for naturally occurring mucilaginous polysaccharide and flavonoid delivery. Marshmallow Root extract is used in natural and clinical skincare for its skin-hydrating, barrier-supporting, and soothing properties — particularly in formulations for sensitive, dry, or irritated skin.
  • Salve & Balm Making — Infuse into carrier oils for a deeply soothing topical base for sensitive skin, dry skin, and general skin comfort formulations.
  • Hair Care Formulations — The mucilaginous extract of Marshmallow Root is one of the most prized natural conditioning agents for natural hair care — particularly for curly, coily, and high-porosity hair types. Brew a strong cold infusion and use as a leave-in conditioning rinse or incorporate into hair butter and cream formulations for extraordinary slip and detangling properties.
  • Tincture Making — Infuse in cold water (cold infusion), vegetable glycerin, or alcohol for a traditional Marshmallow Root preparation. Cold water or glycerin extractions best preserve the mucilaginous compounds.
  • Herbal Capsule Filling — Ground and encapsulated for personal wellness use. Pairs beautifully with our Empty Vegan Capsules Size 00.

Traditional Wellness Background

Marshmallow Root has been used as one of the premier soothing and demulcent herbs in the Western herbal tradition since ancient Egyptian and Greek times — its name Althaea (from the Greek altho, "to heal") reflecting its 2,000+ year reputation as a broadly applicable therapeutic botanical. one of the most important demulcent and mucous membrane wellness herbs in the Western tradition. Its extraordinary mucilaginous polysaccharide content — up to 35% by dry weight in the root — forms a protective, soothing gel that coats and calms any mucous membrane surface it contacts: the throat, esophagus, stomach, intestinal lining, urinary tract, and respiratory tract. This demulcent action is the foundation of Marshmallow Root's centuries-long traditional association with throat and respiratory comfort, digestive soothing, and urinary tract wellness. Its naturally occurring flavonoids (kaempferol and quercetin) contribute naturally anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while its pectin content supports healthy gut microbiome balance and prebiotic wellness. One of the gentlest, most broadly applicable, and most universally well-tolerated herbs in the entire Western tradition — with virtually no documented serious side effects.

Medication absorption note: Marshmallow Root's mucilaginous coating properties may slow the absorption of medications taken simultaneously. Take any medications at least one hour before or after Marshmallow Root preparations.

100% Organic Dried Marshmallow Root · Cut & Sifted · Althaea officinalis · No Additives · No Fillers · No Binders · Premier Demulcent & Mucilage-Rich Soothing Herb · Available 1 / 2 / 4 / 8oz

Safety Note: As is the case with taking any supplement while you are pregnant or breastfeeding or taking medication, you should always consult your healthcare professional prior to usage. Marshmallow Root may slow medication absorption — take medications at least one hour apart from Marshmallow Root preparations.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

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