What is Marshmallow Root?

Marshmallow root is an herbal medicine that has been used for at least 2000 years by ancient Egyptian, Arab, Greek, and Roman cultures. Due to its high mucilage content, marshmallow root is commonly used in Western herbal medicine as a soothing tea for coughs, sore throats, and digestive irritation. In Ayurvedic medicine, marshmallow root is used to reduce vata, or dryness, and to increase kapha, or moistness. Ayurvedic medicine classifies marshmallow root as energetically cold, sweet, and moistening.

How to Use Marshmallow Root (Common Uses)

Marshmallow root is extremely safe for both adults and children. In the appropriate dosage, marshmallow root is gentle enough to be given to horses, dogs, and other animals. Side effects caused by marshmallow root are exceedingly rare.

Marshmallow root is popular as an herbal remedy both on its own and when combined with other herbs. It is usually taken internally as a tea, powder, capsules, or extract. Marshmallow root can also be used as an ingredient in cooking, or applied topically as a wash or poultice. Visit our herbal blog for more information on learning how to use marshmallow root.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is most often prepared as an infused tea, or the whole root will be consumed, as in the case of marshmallow root powder. Boiling marshmallow root for extended periods of time, such as when making a decoction, can destroy some of the valuable mucilage that gives this herb so much of its benefit.

Once marshmallow root has been prepared as a tea, it is usually consumed, however, it can also be cooled and applied to the skin. Marshmallow root tea can be stored in a refrigerator for up to several days, or it can be portioned into ice-cubes and defrosted as needed.

The soothing mucilage and anti-inflammatory benefits of marshmallow root are effective topically, making it a useful helper for treating skin concerns such as acne, rashes, eczema, and burns. Marshmallow root is often found in the ingredients list of skincare products such as lotions, sprays, and creams, especially those that target topical irritation and inflammation.

When taken as a tea, marshmallow root is soothing to internal mucus membranes and irritated tissues, especially the urinary, digestive, and respiratory tracts. It is often used by those suffering from urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, gastritis, leaky gut, peptic ulcers, acid reflux, pharyngitis, or coughing.

For the urinary tract, marshmallow root can provide a tissue soothing effect and mild diuretic action without the astringency commonly found in other urinary-supporting herbs.

Marshmallow root is a common ingredient in herbal preparations for supporting gut health and healing leaky gut. In herbal recipes for leaky gut, it is often combined with other irritation-reducing herbs such as turmeric root, licorice root, and slippery elm bark.

Those who have acid reflux often find that sipping marshmallow root tea, or drinking marshmallow root powder mixed with water, can help to soothe their acidity and coat their gastrointestinal tract enough to provide some relief.

In the same way that marshmallow root can provide a soothing coating for reducing gastric acid and irritation in the gut, it can also help soothe a sore throat or dry cough. The anti-inflammatory effects of marshmallow root combined with its high mucilage content make it a useful ingredient to add to herbal throat lozenges or tea blends for sore throats.

Marshmallow root in its powdered form is particularly useful when making homemade throat lozenges because the powder is highly absorptive of liquids, and it will act as a natural binder for other herbal ingredients while still providing a useful medicinal benefit.

In every way that it can be prepared, marshmallow root has a pleasant flavour. It has a subtle and earthy taste that is reminiscent of actual marshmallows, and is mild enough for most people to enjoy.

Active Constituents in Marshmallow Root

Mucilage polysaccharides, pectin, asparagine, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins.

Notable Facts About Marshmallow Root

The name Althaea is derived from the Greek word ‘altheo’, meaning to heal or cure.

Traditionally, marshmallow root, as well as many of its plant relatives, has been eaten as a food. In parts of Asia and the Middle East, marshmallow root has historically been prepared by boiling the root and serving it alongside onions and butter.

Marshmallow plants can grow 2-4 feet in height. They usually have several wooly stems, and appear bushy with many soft and velvety leaves. The flowers of the marshmallow plant can be pink, pinkish-blue, or purple. The roots of the marshmallow plant range in colour from yellowish-brown to greyish-white.

Marshmallow leaf and root offer similar benefits, however, it is generally accepted that the leaves of the marshmallow plant are not as potent in their effects as the root of the marshmallow plant.