Althaea officinalis L. Malvaceae. Marsh Mallow. Herbaceous perennial. Althaea comes from the Greek word for healing

officinalis indicates that it was used in the 'offices' - the clinics - of the monks in medieval times. Distribution: Africa. The mucilage from the roots was made into confectionary called marshmallow, but no longer. It is now made of sugars, corn syrup and gelatin with various flavourings. Dioscorides (Beck, 2003) recommends it for injuries, parotid tumours, scrofula, mastitis, uterine disorders, urinary problems, painful hips, dysentery, shakes, ruptures, toothache, vitiligo, dysentery, haemoptysis, bites and burns. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.