Tag Archives: marshmallow root

Marshmallow root extinguishes the fire of acid reflux

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Over the years, I’ve noticed that as the weather gets colder, my digestive tract gets irritated. Yes, my allergies change but I also get acid reflux. I have no idea why this happens, but the first year it was very painful. In fact, it woke me up in the middle of the night it was so uncomfortable. Since I prefer to try to heal myself before I go to the doctor, I did a lot of research.

Of course, my first line of attack was to remove the cause. I looked at my lifestyle and tried to identify any changes. Why was my esophagus getting irritated? Why was my stomach acid backing up into my esophagus? Truthfully, I couldn’t come up with a solid answer. However, after several years, I concluded that it had to do with the changing of the season, because it starts to happen every autumn and rarely any other time of the year.

Then, I looked at remedies. Most of the allopathic (conventional) remedies reduce the acid in the stomach so it does not irritate the digestive tract anymore. Most people need to take it for the rest of their lives. I understand the logic but I need (as we all do) the acids in my digestive system, I need them to do their job ~ digest my food, allowing my body to absorb nutrients from it. I need those nutrients to maintain a healthy body.

Dried Marshmallow Root

There are lots of remedies and theories out there, for example, when and what to eat. But what I really needed to do was heal the irritation in my digestive system so it could work properly and I could be comfortable again. Luckily, I knew about Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis).  It is very soothing and mucilaginous. It coats, protects and heals all inflammatory digestive disorders and enhances the immune system.  All I need to do is simply drink a cup of cold infusion after each meal and feel the discomfort melt away. Depending on the severity of the heartburn, relief happens instantly or may take a couple of days.  You can find Marshmallow Root in the bulk section of most health food stores. One thing I really love about Marshmallow Root is that after my system has been healed, I can stop using it. I have found that the infusion tastes better if I keep it in the refrigerator.  One important thing to know about Marshmallow Root infusions ~ they can be very thick and mucilaginous, in turn coating the digestive tract, which can inhibit the absorption of some medication. So, if you are taking any medication, be sure to take it at least an hour or more before or after you drink the Marshmallow Root infusion.  Here’s to relief from heartburn!

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

If you are having a difficult time finding Marshmallow Root locally, Healing Spirit Herb Farm is a wonderful company to order from.

So what is an infusion?

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Throughout my blogs, I occasionally, mention making infusions and have come to realize that many people do not know what an infusion is – well, I’ve decided to remedy the situation.  The basic difference between a tea and an infusion is the steeping time and amount of herb being used. An infusion uses a larger quantity of herbs and is steeped a lot longer. Infusions extract more medicinal qualities and nutrients than tea. They do not have a long shelf life, perhaps 2-3 days at most.

Infusions are made from the delicate aerial parts (flower, stems or leaves) of the plants.  These fragile parts must be steeped, rather than simmered, because they give up their medicinal properties more easily than the tougher roots and bark.

To make infusion:

I like to make infusions in quart canning jars; they can withstand the heat of the boiling water and are easy to carry around. Also, it’s the right amount for a daily intake and I can drink it all day long without needing to make a new batch.

  1. Boil a quart of water per ounce (handful) of dried herb or one cup per tablespoon of herb. If using fresh herbs, double the quantity. If you want to extract the mucilaginous property of a plant – use cold water and not boiled water (for example, with marshmallow root).
  2. Pour boiled water over the herbs, cover and let steep for at least 30-60 minutes, typically 4 hours to overnight. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the infusion.
  3. Strain and drink.

It can be drunk hot or cold and sweetened if you like. Experiment with herb amounts and steeping times; let your taste buds guide you.  Infusions can be used for drinking, foot and hand baths or to make creams.

You can pick fresh herbs (make sure herb is properly identified) for your infusions or buy dry herbs in the bulk section of a health food store or co-op. Enjoy!

I will share my favorite infusion recipes, please share yours.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.