A genus of flowering plants that includes the marsh mallow, known for their medicinal properties and pretty flowers.
From Greek althaia, possibly related to Greek althos meaning 'healing' or 'cure.' The plant was used medicinally in ancient times, which may explain its name's association with healing.
Marsh mallow plants were so famous for soothing inflamed throats that 'marshmallow' candies were originally made from the plant's mucilaginous root—now it's just sugar, but the name remembers its medicinal past!
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