Marshmallow as ancient medical herbs

The historic roots of marshmallows are literally the roots of a plant: the marsh mallow, Althaea officinalis.

It is soothing, healing herb and it is frequently used in medicine, a decoction of the root having been prescribed for asthma, bronchitis, hoarseness and to relieve inflammations and gastritis.

Botanical name, Althaea is derived from the Greek, althe which means ‘to cure’. The plant consecutively impressed ancient Greeks and Arabs. It then made its way into Indian Ayurvedic tradition.

It was ancient Egyptians who are the first documented consumers of marshmallow. 4000 years ago, the Egyptian enjoyed a treat made from the mallow plant which oddly enough grew in the marshes of Egypt.

It was not native to Egypt but was introduced from Syria.

Egyptians doctors used honey and the sap of the marshmallow plant in medicines, especially in remedies such as medicinal wines used to treat sore throat.

Marshmallow candy us among the world’s oldest candy and dates back to 2000 BC. Ancient Egyptians could have been the first to invent marshmallow candy, since they united the slimy root with honey.

It was used in Persian to reduce inflammation in teething babies. T

he emperor Charlernagne (742-814 AD) appreciated marshmallow and order it to be cultivated.

The word mallow can refer to any a variety of plants of the genus Malva. Mallow comes from Old English mealwe, possibly influenced in its development by Old French malve. Both English and Old French words ultimately descend from Latin malva, mallow.

Marshmallow as ancient medical herbs

History of marshmallow

The historic roots of marshmallows are literally the roots of a plant: the marsh mallow, Althaea officinalis.

Marshmallow were originally medicine, despite their modern reputation as the fluffiest of foods and the emptiest of calories.

Botanical name, Althaea is derived from the Greek, althe which means ‘to cure’. The use of marshmallow originated in traditional Greek medicine and later spread to Arabian and Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

It was ancient Egyptians who are the first documented consumers of marshmallow. 4000 years ago, the Egyptian enjoyed a treat made from the mallow plant which oddly enough grew in the marshes of Egypt.

Egyptians would mix together the mucilaginous sap from the root of the marsh mallow with sweeteners, probably honey; the resulting confection was deemed worthy of pharaohs and even the gods themselves.

It was used in Persian to reduce inflammation in teething babies, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne (A.D 800-814) insisted that it be planted throughout his kingdom.

The word mallow can refer to any a variety of plants of the genus Malva. Mallow comes from Old English mealwe, possibly influenced in its development by Old French malve. Both English and Old French words ultimately descend from Latin malva, mallow.

By 1917, cookbook were calling for marshmallows as essential ingredients.

In the early 1920s, Red Seal Marshmallow was advertised to manufacture as a product that ‘improves ice cream, ices and sherbet and gives added smoothness’.

In 1955 marshmallow manufacturers made a great leap forward in efficiency and economy when Alex Doumakes patented a method for extruding the marshmallow foam through a tube into a long rope and the n cutting it into uniform pieces.

Soon commercially made marshmallows were popping up for home use in everything from salads to gelatin desserts and of course ice creams.

History of marshmallow