Soothing Marshmallow Root Tea Recipe
If you’re looking for an herbal tea to soothe, marshmallow root tea is a great way to go. I’m talking about the herb here, not the fluffy things you roast over a fire (although, those are traditionally made from marshmallow root too and I have a recipe for them!).
You don’t need any special equipment or boiling water to make marshmallow root tea- It’s so easy! You can just let it steep overnight in some cold water and wake up to a refreshing and nourishing beverage. It’s perfect for sipping on lazy afternoons or winding down before bed. So, if you’re curious to try something new, grab a jar and some marshmallow root, and let’s get brewing!
What is Marshmallow Root?
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a flowering perennial herb with a long history of use as a folk remedy. It has traditionally been used as a home remedy to treat sore throats and upset stomachs, and it is now becoming popular as an ingredient to add to smoothies and teas. Though it flowers, the medicinal uses are from the root of the marshmallow plant.
The active constituent of marshmallow root is the polysaccharide, which has strong mucilage properties, classifying marshmallows with demulcent herbs. This means that it forms a protective and soothing coating (slimy!) over mucous membranes (mucosa). This helps trigger natural moistening secretions in the body (in case you wanted me to use all of the gross words in one sentence: moist, lingering, secretions.), especially along the lining of the digestive tract.
Medical disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and I am not claiming that these herbs are a substitute for professional care. Always consult a professional for medical advice when starting natural remedies at home. These are just things that I use and love in my own home.
Marshmallow Root Tea Recipe
My favorite place to buy herbs online is Starwest Botanicals due to their ethical sourcing and commitment to sustainability. Each of the links below is an affiliate link, where I make a small commission from your purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Ingredients:
Optional additions: raw honey
Supplies:
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Instructions:
Marshmallow root is best extracted using a cold infusion method.
How to Brew Herbal Tea
For detailed instructions on the methods for brewing herbal tea, check out my post: How to Brew Herbal Tea: Infusions and Decoctions.
Steps to Brew Marshmallow Root Tea
1. Measure out 2-3 tablespoons of dried marshmallow root and add it to a jar or container with a lid.
2. Pour 1 pint of cold water over the marshmallow root, making sure that all the root is covered.
3. Stir the mixture gently to make sure that the marshmallow root is fully submerged.
4. Cover the container with a lid and place it in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the mixture to steep.
5. The next morning, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, separating the liquid from the marshmallow root.
6. Serve the marshmallow root tea immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later use. Use within 48 hours.
Enjoy your delicious and soothing marshmallow root tea!
I’ll be sure honest, I don’t enjoy drinking this tea on its own. I see people do it all the time, but it’s not for me. In our home, we mix it into a fruity lemonade or even coffee!
Use and Safety: No more than three cups a day, as too much marshmallow root can cause excessive vomiting or nausea. Always remember that herbal medicine is still medicine, so it should be treated with care and caution.
Herbal Benefits of Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and it’s known for its many potential health benefits. Here are some of the most commonly reported benefits of marshmallow root:
- Soothing sore throat and cough: Marshmallow root contains mucilage, a sticky substance that coats the throat and provides a soothing effect. This makes it useful for treating sore throat and cough symptoms.
- Reducing inflammation: Marshmallow root has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, internally and for topical use.
- Improving skin health: Marshmallow root contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help soothe and heal irritated skin. It’s often used in skincare products to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Supporting digestive health: The mucilage in marshmallow root can also help soothe digestive issues, reducing inflammation and irritation. It may be helpful in treating conditions such as acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Boosting immunity: Marshmallow root contains compounds that have been shown to stimulate the immune system, helping to fight off infections and illnesses.
- Reducing pain: The anti-inflammatory properties of marshmallow root can also help reduce pain in the body, making it useful for treating conditions such as headaches and menstrual cramps.
- Heartburn aid: Marshmallows high mucilage content and demulcent properties can coat the digestive tract in order to combat heartburn.
- UTI support- Midwife and herbalist, Dr. Aviva Romm, recommends marshmallow root for UTIs to help ease the burning sensation.
People Also Ask…
Marshmallow tea is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the potential health benefits of marshmallows. This easy recipe is a natural way to incorporate marshmallows into your home apothecary as an herbal remedy to soothe that dry cough, upset stomach, or even chronic inflammation.
Healing Herbal Teas with The Homestead Challenge
This post is part of a tea series using herbs with healing properties for common ailments. Check out the posts below for the best teas for each condition! I will be linking all of them as they are published.
- How to Brew Herbal Tea: Infusions and Decoctions
- Allergy Tea
- Cold and Flu Tea
- Anxiety Tea
- Nausea Tea
- Energy Tea
- Headache Tea
- Hangover Tea
- Mugwort Tea
Pin this Marshmallow Root Tea Recipe for Later!
About the Author:
I’m Brittany, totally modern and mainstream turned crunchy mama!
Read more here about how I went from a totally incompetent cook and hyper-consumer to striving to live a more meaningful life from scratch.
I can’t wait to share my modern homesteading journey with you and I hope I inspire you to join along!
After a lot of frustration with this recipe, I’m posting this to spare anyone else. 6 TBSP IS WAY too much!! 1-2 TBSP is plenty! Don’t waste all your marshmallow root the way I did. I hope this helps.
Hi Chantelle! Thank you so much for the feedback! I usually use this as more of a “concentrate” and mix it with hibiscus tea and honey- which I totally did not mention. That is my bad! I will work on adjusting the recipe and giving more options! If you still have it, you can certainly water it down. You can also mix with lemonade (another favorite way of mine to consume marshmallow).
I thought that too. I got these really nice tea infuser baskets from amazon that have opening clasps so I can hang it snug right into the top of a mason jar and it comes with a lid so I don’t even have to put a ring on it. But all I needed were two or three generous pinches into the basket and it stayed submerged for the infusion. Maybe 2 tbsp? I’m drinking it right now for mild gastritis 🙂