Herb Pharm prepares their Marshmallow extract from fresh (undried) roots of Althea officinalis plants which are Certified Organically Grown on their own farm without the use of chemical fertilizers pesticides or herbicides. To assure optimal extraction of Marshmallow's bioactive compounds the roots are hand dug in late autumn or early spring and are then taken directly to our laboratory and promptly extracted while still fresh and succulent.