MARSHMALLOW or Althaea officinalis is a perennial herb that grows in salty marshes or wet, brackish uncultivated ground in southern Europe, throughout southern Britain, Europe, Australia and eastern North America.

The leaf is used to treat bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, cystitis, urethritis, urinary gravel or calculi and can be used locally for abscesses, boils and ulcers.

The root is used to treat gastritis, gastric or peptic ulceration, ulcerative colitis, enteritis, inflammation of the mouth or pharynx, respiratory catarrh with irritating dry cough, cystitis and locally for varicose veins and thrombotic ulcers.