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Medicinal Uses

dry irritated cough

whooping cough

common cold

congestion

laryngitis

pharyngitis (sore throat)

bronchitis

asthma

dehydration

dry skin

red and itchy eyes

irritated digestive tract

diarrhea

peptic ulcers

constipation

urinary tract inflammation

abscesses

skin inflammation

dermatitis

burns

wounds

insect bites

inflamed gums 

toothache

mouthwash

pimples

bee stings

gastritis 

cystitis 

uterine disorders

enteritis

indigestion

vomiting

stomatitis

kidney stones

nephritis (inflamed kidneys)

aphthae

antidote to poisons

arthritis

colitis

Crohn’s disease

cystitis 

pancreatitis

diverticulitis

duodenal

enteritis 

gastroenteritis

ileitis (inflamed intestine)

irritable bowel syndrome

muscular pain

pap smear (abnormal)

polyuria

sprains

ulcerative colitis

urethritis

urolithiasis

urinary irritation

urinary tract infection

varicose ulcers

emphysema

impotence

aphrodisiac

eczema

dermatitis

dandruff

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  • Marshmallow extract contains flavanoids, which contain anti-inflammatory properties. The flavanoids are able to reduce inflammation while the mucilage holds them in place and prevents further damage.

  • The extracts also induce phagocytosis, which is the process in which certain cells engulf bacteria, dead cell tissues or other solid particles. This helps speed up the healing process. The mucilage remains unaltered until it reaches the colon, which is why marshmallow works well on most inflammatory digestive disorders.

  • As an emollient it will soften and break up hard tissue (water follows salt).

  • Its properties give it a broad, general, nonspecific applicability as a palliative or curative in almost any hot, dry, hard condition. 

  • Marshmallow has a broad, general application on the mucosa throughout the body, it has a specific relationship with the kidneys. This is not surprising for a salty mucilage.  

  • It has been called the ‘most diuretic of the mucilages’ and ‘the most mucilaginous of the diuretics.’

  • Berkeley herbalist Pam Fisher says that “marshmallow is going to be your best friend” during chemotherapy and recommends drinking 1/2 gallon of a cold extraction of the root per day.

  • David Dalton (2006) gives an extensive account of Althaea officinalis as a flower essence  and considers it to be a remedy for hardening of the personality, inflexibility, hardheartedness, intolerance, and inability to feel one’s emotions and mentions it also effective at treating hardening of the arteries. 

  • Hollyhock (Althea rosea) and low mallow (Malva neglecta) can be used as effective substitutes.

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Constituents

  • tannins

  • pectin (may lower blood sugar, antibacterial, fungicide, pesticide)

  • asparagine

  • mucilage polysaccharides (35% in the roots and 10% in the leaves)

  • galacturonorhamnans

  • arabinans

  • glucans

  • arabinogalactans

  • flavonoid glycosides: kaempferol, scopoletin and quercetin

  • phenolic acids: chlorogenic, ferulic, syringic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acid

  • sugars (10% sucrose)

  • amines (up to 2% asparagine)

  • fat (1.7%)

  • calcium oxalate

  • coumarins

  • sterols 

  • aluminum, iron, magnesium, selenium, tin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, choline, chromium, cobalt, zinc and substantial amounts of calcium

  • phytosterols

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Energetics

Sweet, neutral, cooling, soothing, moistening.

The taste is sweet, salty and slightly mucilaginous.  It has the consistency and appearance of sawdust and smells like black tea mixed with mulch and lavender.

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Contraindictions

  • The mucilaginous compounds can interfere with absorption of some medications in the digestive tract

  • Animal research suggests that marshmallow can have hypoglycemic effects

  • The mucilage in marshmallow might impair absorption of oral drugs

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History

  • Marshmallow has been used in traditional European medicines for more than 2000 years (Leung and Foster, 1996)

  • Its genus name Althaea comes from the Greek "altho" which means  "to cure or treat”  and the species name “oficinalis” means “to use in medicine”.  The order name, Malvaceae is derived from the Greek "malake" meaning "soft" 

  • As the name implies, marshmallow root was used for the marshmallow candies, although today the ingredients do not include this medicinal plant.  This tradition originally hails from Egypt where the root was decocted until it became a thick solution and honey was added to make a syrup and then egg whites whipped to make it sweet, puffy treat.

  • The Malvaceae or mallow family of plants is large, having over 1000 species, with most found in tropical regions of the world.

  • The sugar mixture was found among Hippocrates medical treatment.  

  • During the 15th and 16th centuries marshmallow liquids were given as treatments for toothaches, coughs sore throats indigestion and diarrhea. It was even believed to have been used as a love potion.

  • Marshmallow has been used as part of rituals to treat impotence, and as an aphrodisiac. Seeds collected under a full moon are made into an oil and used on the genitals. An amulet made of leaf and root has been kept under the genitals and used for the same purpose. Marshmallow has been used in rituals for the dead and has been planted over grave sites. 

  • In one fascinating study three colours of petals of Althaea officinalis (A. officinalis) flowers, i.e., pink, reddish pink, and white were examined for total antioxidant activity and flavonoids content.  The researchers found that the reddish pink flowers have more antioxidant activity and the power of antioxidant activity was reddish pink > pink > white.  The findings suggested that the dark colour can serve as an indicator of antioxidant content of the plant. Flavonoid content was highest in white flower meaning that the flowers with a light colour “can be considered for medicinal uses”.

marshmallow_root-01.jpg

Common Names

Mallards, mauls, sweetweed, and cheese plant, cheeseflower, cheeses, mallow, white mallow, mortification root,  wymote, blue mallow flower, blue malva, common mallow, dwarf mallow, fromagère, grande mauve, high mallow, kunzi, malva silvestre, malvae flos, malvae folium, mauls, mauve, mauve des bois

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Botanical Name

Althaea officinalis  L.

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Family

Malvaceae

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Parts Used

Roots, leaves, and flowers

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Therapeutic Actions

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ROOT

antiasthmatic

antispasmodic

antimicrobial

anti-parasitic

anti-bacterial

antifungal

antitussive

anti-sickling

alterative

demulcent

diuretic

emollient

tonic

palliative

nervine

relaxant

nutritive

vulnerary

endocrine

restorative

mucilaginous

pre-biotic

immuno-stimulant

hypoglycemic

nutritive

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LEAF

anti-bacterial

anti-viral 

anti-catarrhal

analgesic

anti-depressant 

anti-anxiety

anti-carcinogen

demulcent

expectorant

diuretic

emollient

pectoral

laxative

sedative

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FLOWERS

anti-lithic

diuretic

marshmallow-marsh-mallow-or-common-marsh

Proper Use

  • The leaves should be harvested prior flowering if you are procuring the mineral and respiratory benefits since most of its energy is there in the spring.

  • The root is best harvested in the Autumn, when the upper parts of the plant has died back and the energy and medicine of the plant has been drawn down into the root and the root is best cold extracted in water. 

  • Plant should have at least 2.5 to 3 years of growth before roots are ready. Leaves can be harvested throughout the summer while soft, fresh, and free of discoloration or mildew.

  • Mucilage is highest in the leaves just before flowering.

  • Marshmallow root and leaves (preferably root) is often boiled with wine or milk to treat respiratory tract infections. It can also be decocted and used as a demulcent or emollient.

  • It may be preferred, especially with children to make this into a syrup by mixing with honey. 

  • A root decoction can also be used as a substitute for eggs in many cases. 

  • The leaves can be eaten raw . 

  • Although the whole plant can be used as a demulcent, the leaves are generally preferred for the urinary tract and lungs, whereas the root is preferred for the digestive tract.

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Dosage

  • 6 g per day of cut or ground root. 

  • Cold maceration: 2-5 g in 150 ml cold water for 30 minutes stirring frequently; strain and warm before drinking, up to three times daily. 

  • Dried root: 2-5 g, up to three times daily. 

  • Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2-5 ml, up to three times daily. 

  • Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10-25 ml, up to three times daily. 

  • Native dry extract 3.5-5.0:1 (w/w): 0.4-0.6 g, up to three times daily. 

  • Native soft extract 2.3-3.2:1 (w/w): 0.6-0.9 g, up to three times daily. 

  • Syrupus Althaeae: Single dose: 10 ml, to be used only in treating throat irritation. 

  • Note: Marshmallow syrup: diabetics need to allow for sugar concentration.

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Formulary

Heartburn Soothing Tea

  • Marshmallow root - Althaea off.

  • Catnip - Nepeta cataria

  • Licorice root - Glycyrrhiza glabra

  • Fennel Seeds - Foeniculum vulgare

  • Spearmint or peppermint leaf Mentha spicata or piperita​

 

Combine herbs and steep 2 tbsp in 12 oz hot water for 15-20 minutes, drink as needed

 

Digestive Healing Tea

  • Plantain Leaf - Plantago spp.

  • Marshmallow root - Althaea off.

  • Chamomile flowers - Matricaria recruitta

  • Calendula flowers - Calendula off.

  • Meadowsweet

  • Possible flavor additions to help with specific person’s digestive issues and constitution:

    • Spearmint

    • Peppermint

    • Fennel seeds

    • Ginger root

    • Cinnamon

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Traditional Marshmallows

2 egg whites
25 g marshmallow root
510 g arabic gum
510 g sugar
1.25 L water
Cornstarch

  1. Soak the roots in water for 8 hours in the refrigerator.

  2. Bring them to boil for 10 minutes.

  3. Filter.

  4. Add the arabic gum to the hot water and stir until it dissolves.

  5. Add the sugar to thicken the mixture, stirring constantly.

  6. Whip the egg whites until they hold their shape and add them to the hot mixture.

  7. Continue to stir on low heat.

  8. Sprinkle a pan with cornstarch and pour the mixture in.

  9. Let cool, and cut into pieces.

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Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, the marshmallow is edible and is considered a wild vegetable.  The leaves can be cooked, the flowers added to salads, and the cooked roots can be eaten like salsify.

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Cultivation

  • Marshmallow, like many plants can chelate soil contaminated with heavy metals.  This means that a plant could harm us if grown in polluted soil.  It also means if grown under safe conditions it can chelate us. This makes it valuable at cleansing soil before healing plants are grown.

  • Marshmallow originally grew in salty soils but now thrives in any moist, uncultivated ground. It is found in southern and western Europe, western Asia, and the northeastern region of North America.

  • Its fleshy, upright stems reach heights of 3 to 4 feet.

  • Marshmallow is an incredibly easy herb to grow, and it thrives even under conditions of benign neglect. 

  • The plants themselves are hardy to zone 4, and will readily self sow.  

  • The plant prefers regular watering and makes a lot of biomass, both above the ground and below.

  • Full sun is a requirement since shade is not tolerated well. The harshness of the sun may be a consideration when determining where to position the plant.

  • In cool conditions, the Marshmallow plant will die down in autumn or winter and return in spring by sending up many unbranched stems.

  • The Marshmallow plant may be raised from seed, sown in spring or left to self-seed. Cuttings will also do well, but most people simply propagate by dividing the roots in autumn.

 

Research

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Basch E, Ulbricht C, Hammerness P, Vora M. (2003). Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.) monograph. J Herb Pharmacotherapy . 2003;3(3):71-81.

 

Cavero, R.  (2014). Medicinal plants used for respiratory affections in Navarra and their pharmacological validation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 158 (Part A): 216–220

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Curnow A, Owen SJ.  (2016).  An Evaluation of Root Phytochemicals Derived from Althea officinalis (Marhsmallow) and Astragalus membranaceus as Potential Natural Components of UV Protecting Dermatological Formulations. Oxid Med Cell Longev  2016:7053897.

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Drake PM, de Moraes Madeira L, Szeto TH, Ma JK.  (2013). Transformation of Althaea officinalis L. by Agrobacterium rhizogenes for the production of transgenic roots expressing the anti-HIV microbicide cyanovirin-N. Transgenic Res . 2013;22(6):1225-1229.

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Franz, G. (1966). Die Schleimpolysaccharide vom Althaea officinalis und Malva sylvestris. Planta Med 14:90110.

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Gudej J.  (1991). Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids and Coumarins from the Roots of Althaea officinalis. Planta Med. 1991 Jun;57(3):284-5.  PMID: 1722616

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Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. (Pg. 526-527)​

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Kobayashi, A., Hachiya, A., Ohuchi, A., Kitahara, T., & Takema, Y. (2002). Inhibitory Mechanism of an Extract of Althaea officinalis L. on Endothelin-1-Induced Melanocyte Activation. Biol. Pharm. Bull, 25(2), 229-234. doi:10.1248/bpb.25.229

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Basch E, Ulbricht C, Hammerness P, Vora M. J.  (2003).  Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.) monograph. Herb Pharmacother. 2003;3(3):71-81.  PMID:  15277059

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Mehreen, A., Waheed, M., Liaqat, I., & Arshad, N. (2016). Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, and Toxicological Evaluation of Traditional Herbs Used to Treat Sore Throat. BioMed Research International, 2016, 1-9. doi:10.1155/2016/8503426

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Rezaei M, Dadgar Z, Noori-ZadehA, Mesbah-Namin A.A, Pakzad I, Davodian E. (2015). Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the Althaea officinalis L. leaf extractand its wound healing potencyin the rat model of excision wound creation. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine

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Sadighara, P., Gharibi, S., Moghadam Jafari, A., Jahed Khaniki, G., & Salari, S. (2012). The antioxidant and Flavonoids contents of Althaea officinalis L. flowers based on their color. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 2(3), 113–117.

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Sutovska M, Nosalova G, Franova S, Kardosova A. (2007). The antitussive activity of polysaccharides from Althaea officinalis l., var. Robusta, Arctium lappa L..  2007;108(2):93-99.

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Tomodo M. (1987). Hypoglycemic activity of twenty plant mucilages and three modified products. Planta Medica. 53:812.

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