MARSH MALLOW
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                                    CULTIVATION:
     Marsh mallow is a erect hairy perennial which grows to about 5 feet in
     height. The stem and leaves are hairy. It has 5-petalled white or pink
     flowers.

     Mash mallow needs full sun and moist soil. Sow seeds in spring, and divide
     base, or try stem cuttings in spring. Thin and transplant to 1 foot apart,
     in second season thin again to 2 feet apart.

     Collect  seeds  when  ripe. Pick leaves as  required  and  dig up roots in
     autumn.  Dig up mature roots and  remove the lateral rootlets. Wash, peel,
     and dry the roots whole or in slices.


                                  CULINARY   USES:
     In this plant we have the original nonsynthetic, mucilaginous marsh mallow
     past.  The  roots  are harvested in autumn  and  well dried and the brown,
     corky layer removed. The whitish inner roots yield the substance used long
     ago  in  marsh mallow manufacture. Today's  spongy  cubes share only sugar
     with the original recipe.

     You  can eat the seeds fresh or  sprinkle like nuts on salads. The flowers
     can be tossed into salads. Mix young leaves into salads, or add to oil and
     vinegar. You can also eat the stem like a vegetable.


                                   MEDICAL  USES:
     The  spongy  material  in marsh mallow  roots  is called mucilage. When it
     comes  in contact with water, it swells  and forms a gel. Externally marsh
     mallow  gel  may help sooth cuts,  scrapes wounds, and burns. Dried leaves
     contain a sap and it can be infused and drunk for internal inflammation or
     used  externally as an eye compress. Prepare an infusion of the leaves and
     apply as a compress to reduce inflammation of the eyelid.

     The  mucilaginous  properties  of  this  plant  help  to  alleviate  chest
     congestion. Honey may be added for sweetening. Prepare a strong tea of the
     leaves  and use it as a rinse for a abscess or gum boil.Apply the softened
     root to the pain, or add a strained decoction of the root to any foot bath
     or  full  bath.  To make such a decoction  simmer  a quarter of a pound of
     dried,  clean  root  in 2 quarts of  water,  reduce it to six cups. Strain
     before using.

     In one recent experiment, marsh mallow enhanced white blood cell's ability
     to  devour disease microbes, suggesting that  its traditional use in wound
     treatment and gastrointestinal infection may have been therapeutic as well
     as  soothing.

                                      WARNING:
     The medical literature contains no reports of any harm from mash mallow.


                                  COSMETIC  USES:
     GREEN  HERBAL  MASK : Take 2 handfuls  of fresh, or 3 tablespoons of dried
     marsh mallow leaves. Soften them by soaking in boiled water overnight. Add
     2  tablespoons of distilled or mineral water and blend at high speed for a
     few  seconds. This makes a rather wet mixture, but if you are in a bath or
     lying on a towel it can be applied as it is. This will draw out impurities
     on  the  skin surface, stimulates the  circulation  and tightens the skin.
     Apply  the  mask  to  slightly moist skin  and  leave  on  for about 20-30
     minutes. Remove with warm water. Finish with a moisturizer.