Marshmallow Tea
The Benefits of Marshmallow Tea
If you have not already done a bit of research about marshmallow tea, you may be a bit confused by the images your mind is conjuring up. Fluffy white marshmallows bobbing in a cup of hot water is definitely not the same as tea brewed from the marshmallow root. We are going to take a look at the benefits of marshmallow tea as well as provide brewing instructions for you newbies who are interested in giving this great tea a try!
The marshmallow plant has been used for years as a soothing agent for mouth and throat irritation that can cause coughs and soreness. It has also been tested as a treatment for asthma, diarrhea and digestive troubles, Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, indigestion, and peptic ulcers. So what makes this root to be such a versatile treatment for all of these issues? Both the leaves and the roots of the marshmallow plant contain a substance called mucilate. This substance has a texture similar to mucous that does not dissolve in water, which proves to be beneficial in healing irritation in the mouth, stomach, and throat. Many herbalists believe that the marshmallow plant has the potential boost the body’s immune system and help it fight infections.
In modern times, people tend to use marshmallow tea to soothe a dry or sore throat and to reduce irritation and coughing. It is also still commonly used to treat diarrhea, indigestion, and bladder infections. Some women have even brewed up a good cup of marshmallow tea in the hopes that it will help increase the flow of their breast milk. If the thought of marshmallow tea has grabbed your interest, then you are probably wondering how you can make your own…
The most preferred method is to use the roots, however you can also brew this tea using the leaves. Let’s cover how to make marshmallow tea from roots, first. In most health food stores the marshmallow root will be sold in a loose form. Because of this, you need to strain the tea before you drink it so you don’t end up gulping down bits of root. Some people prefer to use tea balls which are two halves of a sphere that open up so you can insert the root. Each half is made up of a wire mesh-like material that you can close so that they resemble a ball. You then place the tea ball in the cup or tea pot and add the boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for as long as you like, depending on your strength preference. Remove the tea ball and discard the roots.
To make the tea without a tea ball, you simply pour the roots into a tea pot and add boiling water. Allow the tea to steep and then hold a fine-toothed strainer over your cup as you pour the tea. This will catch any bits of root from ending up in your cup. This is the same process you would use if you were to make the tea using marshmallow leaves, however the roots tend to be more beneficial to your health. Sweetener and milk may be added if desired, but the tea serves a much better health benefit if drank without either.
If you find the tea a little boring on its own, why not spice it up a bit? Many people find that honey, ginger, or raspberry extract work well as natural sweeteners without taking away from the healthful aspect of the tea. If you are the creative sort you can always play around with your spices and see what suits your tastes the best!