Something about Marshmalow: Herb language: Delicate, Beauty, Sweetness Family: Malvaceae Botanical name: Althaea officinalis Etymology: Old English (mersc-mealwe) “kind of mallow plant” (Althaea officinalis). It grows near salt marshes, from marsh + mallow. It was originally made from paste from the roots of the plant. The word (althaea) means “to heal”. Distribution: Europe, western Asia, North Africa and eastern United States The stems are vertical and grow up to 0.91 - 1.22 meter. The leaves are round and ovate-cordate. The length of the leaf can be 51 - 76mm and the width is about 11⁄4 inch. The leaf is attached with three to five lobes. Its uneven teeth appear at the margin. Both sides are soft and furry. The flowers are small and pale in colour. The roots are perennial, thick, long and tapering, very tough and pliant, whitish yellow outside, white and fibrous within. The whole plant, especially the root, is abundant with a mild mucilage, which can moisturise skin and its effects are better than common mallows. Marshmallow were used in medicine by the Egyptians and then the usage was adopted by the French. The roots and leaves are both used because their mucilage which can expand when mixed with water. It makes our stomach feel fuller and is good for losing weight. Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Althaea_officinalis etymonline/index.php?term=marshmallow&allowed_in_frame=0 eol.org/pages/584767/overview
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 04:34:22 +0000
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