Let’s Talk Marshmallows!
Brace yourselves wild ones this is a juicy post…
For pretty much my whole life, I believed that marshmallows were COMPLETE junk food — fluffy white sugar bombs with no redeeming qualities. Now imagine my surprise when I learned that, made properly, they can actually be healing! Not only that, but they’ve become something I happily feed to my kids as an after-school snack, or stir into my morning coffee for an extra touch of sweetness and nourishment.
Our family can hardly ever keep a batch around for the next day — they disappear almost instantly. Between the soft, pillowy texture and the gentle herbal sweetness, these marshmallows have completely transformed how we think about treats in our home. So buckle up, because these aren’t your average marshmallows… they’re medicine disguised as dessert.
Healing Marshmallows
Plain version:
1 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup water or herbal decoction
¼ cup grass-fed gelatin
2 tbsp grass-fed collagen
1 tbsp vanilla
Add ons to boost nutrients:
Use a Marshmallow Root and/or Hibiscus decoction for extra skin, wellness, and gut love
Sprinkle with freeze-dried raspberries for a burst of color and antioxidants
Stir in butterfly pea powder for a calming blue hue and extra phytonutrients
Stir in a pinch rose powder for a sensual, aromatic lift
If you’ve never made homemade marshmallows before, you’re in for a treat. The process is surprisingly easy, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find endless ways to customize — from herbal infusions to adaptogenic blends.
How to Make
Prepare your decoction: simmer marshmallow root (and hibiscus, if using) in water for 20–30 minutes, then strain.
Bloom gelatin: in a large bowl, sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup of the decoction and let sit for a few minutes to bloom.
Heat maple syrup: in a saucepan, combine maple syrup and remaining decoction. Bring to a gentle boil until it reaches about 240°F (soft-ball stage).
Whip it up: using a stand or hand mixer, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin mixture while mixing on high. Whip for 10–12 minutes until glossy, fluffy, and tripled in volume.
Set: spread into a parchment-lined dish, smooth the top, and let cool completely for a few hours in the fridge before cutting into squares.
Optional: dust with powdered freeze-dried raspberries, organic cornstarch or arrowroot powder to prevent sticking.
For extra herbal power, you can even roll them in finely ground adaptogens like reishi or rose powder for a subtle functional boost.
Why These Ingredients Are So Nourishing
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a soothing demulcent herb — meaning it coats and calms mucous membranes throughout the body. It’s a classic herbal ally for the digestive tract, easing inflammation, acid reflux, and leaky gut. But the magic doesn’t stop there — that same mucilaginous quality benefits the skin, helping to hydrate, soften, and support the repair of damaged tissue. Taken regularly, it can help the whole system feel soothed, grounded, and nourished.
Maple Syrup
A mineral-rich natural sweetener loaded with manganese, zinc, and antioxidants, maple syrup offers a gentler, slow-burning energy source compared to refined sugar. It adds that perfect caramel sweetness while offering nutrients from deep forest sap. Choosing dark, robust maple syrup gives extra depth of flavor and trace minerals that truly make it a wild, wholesome sweetener.
Gelatin & Collagen
These two work hand-in-hand to nourish skin, hair, nails, and joints. Sourced from grass-fed animals, they’re rich in amino acids like glycine and proline — the very building blocks your body uses to restore connective tissue and maintain gut lining integrity. They also have a grounding, comforting quality, making these marshmallows not just delicious but deeply restorative to the body.
Hibiscus
Beautifully tangy and rich in vitamin C, hibiscus supports collagen production, circulatory health, and skin radiance, while lending that vibrant pink hue. It’s cooling and anti-inflammatory — perfect for balancing internal heat and soothing the heart and liver. When combined with marshmallow root, the result is both deeply hydrating and energetically balancing.
Freeze-Dried Raspberries
A fun and antioxidant-rich topping that adds crunch, color, and a spark of joy. Raspberries are high in ellagic acid, a compound known to protect skin from oxidative stress and premature aging. They’re also tart and bright, perfectly offsetting the sweetness of the marshmallows.
Butterfly Pea Flower
This optional addition offers more than its stunning indigo color — it’s rich in anthocyanins that help support collagen protection and brain function, while offering a serene, mood-lifting energy. It’s a beautiful way to bring vibrancy to your treats while feeding both skin and spirit.
How Our Family Eats Them
✨ As a wholesome after-school treat for the kids
☕ Melted into morning coffee, cacao, or chai for a creamy, collagen-rich twist
💪 After meals to support digestion and collagen replenishment
💖 As a simple, joyful way to bring herbal medicine into daily life
🌙 Before bed for a sweet, soothing ritual that supports sleep and calm
These marshmallows are a little reminder that nourishment doesn’t have to be complicated — or boring. They’re soft, sweet, and full of vitality — the perfect embodiment of everyday alchemy.
Because sometimes healing looks like sweetness —
and sometimes medicine tastes like marshmallows.
