Guimauves

The marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) has been utilized for its medicinal properties since the time of the ancient Egyptians. These were some of the oldest confections known to man, and they consisted of mallow root sap that was boiled with nuts and honey. These early preparations bore virtually no resemblance to the puffy, white confections we know today. For most of its history, the marshmallow was utilized for medicinal purposes and was infused with sweeteners to make the ma