Geography

• The marshmallow plant grows wild in salt marshes in the eastern United States. It tolerates a wide range of soil types but requires full sun to thrive. Home gardeners commonly plant it as part of an herb garden.
  
  

History

• The marshmallow plant is native to Europe but was brought to the United States to be used as a medicinal plant. At one time, its sap was an ingredient in confectionery marshmallows, giving them their name. Modern, commercially made marshmallows no longer contain marshmallow sap.
  
  

Function

• Advocates of alternative medicine use marshmallow to treat respiratory and digestive tract complaints, usually in the form of a tea or tincture. Its external applications include treatment for bruises, sprains and skin irritations.