Althaea officinalis, known as marshmallow or althaea, is a perennial medicinal plant with soft pink or white flowers and velvety leaves. It mainly grows in wet areas and has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Its roots and leaves contain mucilages (demulcent substances), which make it useful for soothing the throat, cough, and digestive system irritations. It is also used in cosmetics for its soothing properties.