Before marshmallows were sweets, they were medicine. The true althaea officinalis was a healer of sore throats, inflamed lungs, and irritated skin. Its roots are rich in mucilage – a gel-like compound that coats and soothes mucous membranes, reducing inflammation and protecting delicate tissues. In folklore, marshmallow was a plant of compassion and motherly care, often grown near cottages and used in poultices for wounds and burns. The name althaea comes from the Greek altho – “to heal.” Even b