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Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Althea, Mallow, Mortification Root, Sweet Weed, Yàoshǔkuí (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Khatmi (Ayurvedic)

Native to

Europe, Africa, Western Asian

A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake and to ensure we recognize any appropriation that we may make in our use of a plant, we include it's nativity.

Parts Used

  • Leaves are collected at any point during the growing season

  • Roots can be harvested in the fall, however it takes 2-3 years for licorice roots to mature

  • Flowers (Not for ingestion) are collected at any point during the growing season

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Demulcent

  • Diuretic

  • Emollient

  • Expectorant

Divinities & Mythos


Plant Energies

Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:

Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.

  • Planet(s): Venus

  • Element(s): Water

  • Gender: Feminine

  • Tasste: Sweet

  • Energy: Cooling, Moistening (Sorry)

Warning: Ingestion

The Root of the Marshmallow plant is safe for ingestion, however the scientific jury is still out on the safety of the flowers and leaves for ingestion as is. They are safe to use when properly prepared, such as marshmallow leaf syrup which is a common remedy for clearing any "gunk" out of our your ears, nose, and throat.


Little research has been done on the effects of marshmallow on the modern body but some indicates that the type of mucilage that is found in marshmallow root MAY inhibit the proper absorption of other medications.

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Marshmallow in Action

The Bat & Raven offers these products that utilize the properties of Marshmallow.

Magical Properties

  • Childbirth

  • Cleansing

  • Fertility

  • Fidelity

  • Healing

  • Love

  • Lust

  • Passion

  • Positive Spirits "Puller"

  • Protection

  • Psychic Powers

Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.

Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere 
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

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