Episode 167: Marshmallow with Lucy Jones

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Would you prefer watching or reading this episode? If so, click here for the 'Benefits of Marshmallow Herb' video and transcript.

Episode Summary

A few months ago, a listener emailed me to suggest I bring herbalist Lucy Jones on the podcast - and I’m so glad she did! I bought one of Lucy’s books and almost immediately filled it with notes and highlights, and I was delighted when she agreed to come on the show and talk about one of my favorite plants, marshmallow.

In this conversation, Lucy shared all about an amazing, often-overlooked way that she works with marshmallow – including how she literally used it to save someone’s leg! You can find a beautifully illustrated recipe card for Lucy’s Marshmallow Leaf Fomentation in the resource section below.

Marshmallow is a lovely plant with so many gifts! Here are just a few ways you can work with it to benefit your health:

► As a soothing tea to cool inflammation in the gut

► Applied as a poultice to rashy, irritated skin

► As a cold infusion to ease dry coughs

Check out the entire episode to learn even more about marshmallow, including a fascinating historic use that can still be helpful in modern times!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► Why it’s important to consider emotional factors to support physical healing

► How developing personal relationships with plants can help you be a better herbalist

► Six health issues that can benefit from marshmallow’s gifts

► Why Lucy often reaches for marshmallow leaf instead of its root

► Important considerations for taking marshmallow alongside pharmaceuticals

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Lucy Jones is a medical herbalist with a busy high street practice, Myrobalan Clinic, in Somerset, UK. She grows or gathers the majority of the herbs that she works with and is a passionate proponent of self-sufficient herbalism. Prior to qualifying in western herbalism, she studied Tibetan Medicine with the great master Khenpo Troru Tsenam. This experience deeply influences her approach to therapeutic practice, as well as her relationship with the herbs that she works with. She originally trained in agriculture and forestry and has two degrees from the University of Oxford. Her books Self Sufficient Herbalism and A Working Herbal Dispensary are published by Aeon Books.

I’m excited to share our conversation with you today!

Would you like to learn more from Lucy? Her publisher, Aeon Books, has generously offered a 20% discount on both of her books through January 19, 2025! If you’re in the US, go to https://health.aeonbooks.com/search?Keywords=lucy+jones and use discount code LJ20.  Readers in the UK and the rest of the world can use this link: https://health.aeonbooks.co.uk/search?Keywords=lucy+jones

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [01:10] Student spotlight
• [02:56] Introduction to Lucy Jones
• [04:34] Lucy’s herbal path
• [20:25] How Lucy leans on both Tibetan and Western herbal medicine in her practice
• [29:23] The importance of connecting with the plants
• [33:01] Marshmallow for gangrene and necrosis
• [43:45] Marshmallow leaf fomentation
• [47:00] Marshmallow to heal the gut
• [52:51] Special considerations for working with marshmallow
• [54:59] When to reach for marshmallow leaf vs. the root
• [1:02:14] Lucy’s book The Working Herbal Dispensary
• [1:06:10] Lucy’s book Self-Sufficient Herbalism
• [1:09:06] How herbalism has surprised Lucy
• [1:18:08] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe!

The marshmallow herb is a well-known plant ally, but fewer people have heard about its amazing healing action when there's tissue necrosis. This fomentation can be applied if necrotic tissue has developed, for example in the extremities such as the toes.  I've seen almost miraculous results with this recipe in patients who were at risk of having toes (or their lower leg) amputated.

Ingredients:

• 4 handfuls of marshmallow leaves, fresh or dried
• 2 pints of boiling water
• Strips of sterile muslin cloth for application

Directions:

1. Steep marshmallow leaves in just-boiled water for at least 10 minutes to make a strong tea.
2. Strain the liquid and soak previously-boiled strips of muslin cloth in the liquid.
3. Gently wring out excess liquid and apply the warm moist cloth to the affected area.
4. Repeat the process with fresh strips of cloth as they cool. Continue the treatment for 20 minutes, twice a day.

Connect with Lucy:

• Website | MyrobalanClinic.com
• Instagram | @myrobalanclinic
• Facebook | Myrobalan Clinic
• Patreon | Lucy Jones

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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