Marshmallow althaea officinalis steep temperature recommendation

Welcome Dr Sharol. I just recently made marshmallows for the first time. I know the plant althaea officinalis is probably in your book. Some people hot steep and some cold steep the plant for maximum extraction of beneficial properties. I was using it to treat a chest cold and general inflammation. What is your recommendation for steep temperature? Looking forward to learning more about your book!

Hello Jackie,

I do both. I prefer to do an over night infusion with room temp water. However, if I am in a hurry I will pore boiling water over it and wait 1-2 hours. I prefer the overnight with room temp water as it gives me more mucilage which is what I am after. You can coax more mucilage out of the root with the hot infusion by smashing it before you decant also. Sometimes I just pull the root out and suck on it additionally. After sitting there in the water it is usually soft enough that I can chew and suck on it to get the mucilage out. Lots of choices.