The marshmallow has been used in the treatment of various diseases from thousand years ago. According to TM, scientists believed that everything consists of four elements (fire, air, water, and soil), and the temperament means the interaction of four basic qualities (hot, cold, wet, and dry). Galen believed that the temperament of marshmallow is cold and wet, but Avicenna believed it was mildly warm. According to the view point of TM scholars, marshmallow has cold and wet temperament and reduces inflammation, irritation, eczema, infections and fever.

For more than 2000 years, this plant was used for various medicinal purposes, including remedies for the common cold, sore throat, cough, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, indigestion, and stomach ulcers. It is still used as a medicinal plant today; the dried leaves and roots are used in teas and alcoholic extracts (tinctures) and the roots are used in ointments and creams, cough syrups, or powdered in capsules. Phytohustil® an herbal medicinal product containing REAo is commonly used for the treatment of mucous membrane irritations in the mouth and throat and the dry cough associated with this.

Uses Best in herb gardens, vegetable gardens, cottage gardens, rain gardens, and other informal garden settings. All parts of this plant contain mucilage and can be used to thicken soups, stews, and other dishes. The roots and leaves have traditionally been used as an herbal remedy to sooth and reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, and stomach. In ancient times, the roots were cooked with honey to create a sweet confection and medicine. These treats are the precursors of modern, commercially available marshmallows, although they no longer contain marsh mallow root extract.