Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a fun one to teach about, and it’s a funny way that herbs have remained in the public vernacular without us even knowing it. Apothecaries in 18th and 19th century France whipped preparations of the root into pâte de guimauve, a soft, sweet lozenge for sore throats and irritated lungs (heyyy a lot like how we use it in herbalism today) Parisian confectioners sold it both as a treat and a medicine, and recipes for “sirop de guimauve” show up in French cand