How to Harvest and Use Mallow?

[nwestwood]

We have no shortage of this plant, and as I believe it can be used as a milder form of MarshMallow, I want learn to use it. I’ve picked a big stack, roots, plant and all. Now how do I dry and use it?

Specifically, should I separate the roots from the plants and dry and store them separate? Or should I just dry it all together, grind it up and store it?

Thanks,

Neal in Utah Valley

[Michelle KochStudent]

With mallow, I do not separate roots from leaves, but store the dried and ground product all together, labelled “whole mallow.”. As for fresh, if the root is really thick, I chop it up into tiny pieces before drying, then grind it up after it is dry. Thin stringy roots i just dry whole.

I suppose I could grind up the fresh stuff in the food processor, then spread it on a sheet of parchment or paper plate to dry, then grind it up further once dry, but I’m too lazy to do that.

I guess it would be different if I were processing larger quantities, but at this point it’s only enough for me and a few close family members.

[Michelle KochStudent]

Oh, as for use: you are correct, malva neglecta, marshmallow and holly hocks can all be used interchangeably. As a demulcent herb, mallow is a basic foundation in most of my formulas: skin, respiratory, and digestive.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Chop and run through a heavy duty food grinder. I have found dried chunks VERY hard and VERY dangerous to grind. If a chunk breaks even a small part of the blade you MUST throw out the whole batch unless a magnet finds EVERY single shard.

[nwestwood]

Emphasis on Heavy Duty Food Processor (Grinder), I burned the motor out on our cuisinart 4 cup.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Processing SMALL QUANTITIES at a time really helps to reduce the stress on the machines.

[Author]

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