This drug (Althaea officinalis,) known as Marshmallow, was described by Dioscorides (194) under the Greek name signifying to heal. It has been used in domestic medicine from the earliest periods. Charlemagne (A. D. 724-814), over a thousand years ago, demanded that it be cultivated in his domain. It grows throughout Europe, Asia Minor, western and northern Asia and adjacent districts, being employed more or less in domestic medication in all localities. Its domestic use introduced this demulcent drug to early "professional" medication.
The History of the Vegetable Drugs of the U.S.P., 1911, was written by John Uri Lloyd.