Marshmallow
StarAlthaea officinalis
Synonyms: Althaea kragujevacensis, Malva officinalis, Althaea officinalis var. obtusiuscula, Althaea officinalis var. vulgaris, Althaea pulchra, Althaea officinalis var. obtusifolia, Althaea multiflora, Althaea officinalis var. pallida, Malva althaea, Althaea officinalis var. rotundifolia, Althaea balearica, Althaea sublobata, Althaea officinalis var. thirkeana, Malva maritima, Althaea officinalis subsp. indica
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Althaea officinalis, the marsh-mallow, is an erect perennial herb of the Malvaceae family native to the salt marshes, brackish ditches, and damp meadows of Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. From a thick, fleshy, branching taproot rises a soft, velvety, grey-felted stem reaching one to two metres. The leaves are alternate, ovate to triangular, three- to five-lobed, and densely covered on both surfaces with stellate hairs. From midsummer to early autumn, pale pink, five-petalled flowers about three centimetres across appear in axillary and terminal clusters, each subtended by an epicalyx of six to nine narrow bracts. The schizocarp fruit splits into many wedge-shaped mericarps. All parts, especially the root, are rich in soothing mucilage.
Active Constituents
Mucilage polysaccharides (rhamnogalacturonans, arabinogalactans, arabinans, glucans)
Acidic and neutral polysaccharidesConcentration: Root ~5-11% mucilage (higher in some analyses); the principal active fraction
The main demulcent constituent. On contact with water it forms a viscous, bioadhesive gel that coats and soothes irritated mucous membranes, reducing cough reflex and local inflammation. Rhamnogalacturonan specifically reduces the number and intensity of cough efforts in animal models.
Starch
PolysaccharideConcentration: Root ~25-35%
A major storage carbohydrate of the root contributing to bulk and to the soothing, nutritive quality of preparations.
Pectin
PolysaccharideConcentration: Root ~11%
Gel-forming polysaccharide adding to the demulcent and mildly soothing action.
Flavonoids (isoquercitrin, hypolaetin and related glycosides)
Flavonoid polyphenolsConcentration: Minor constituents of leaf and root
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols contributing to the anti-inflammatory activity demonstrated for root extracts in vitro.
Phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid)
Hydroxycinnamic acidsConcentration: Minor constituents
Antioxidant phenolic acids supporting anti-inflammatory and free-radical-scavenging effects of the extract.
Coumarins (scopoletin)
CoumarinsConcentration: Trace
Minor aromatic constituents typical of the root.
Asparagine and amino acids
Amino acidsConcentration: Present in the root
Free amino acids contributing to the nutritive quality of the root; asparagine was historically first characterised from Althaea and related plants.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Oral medications (general)
The mucilage forms a viscous coating in the gastrointestinal tract that may physically slow or reduce the absorption of drugs taken at the same time. Although clinically unproven, it is prudent to separate marshmallow from oral medicines.
Clinical note: Take marshmallow preparations at least 1-2 hours apart from other oral medications.
Antidiabetic (hypoglycaemic) drugs
Isolated marshmallow root mucilage polysaccharides lowered plasma glucose in mice. Theoretically, additive effects with insulin, sulfonylureas or other hypoglycaemic agents could increase the risk of low blood sugar.
Clinical note: Monitor blood glucose if large amounts are combined with antidiabetic therapy; relevance to normal oral use is uncertain.
Preparation Methods
Cold macerate (cold-water infusion) of root
Parts: root
The traditional and preferred preparation: steep about 1-2 teaspoons of chopped dried root in a cup of cold water for several hours (or overnight), stirring occasionally, then strain. Cold extraction preserves the heat-sensitive mucilage, yielding a soothing drink for dry cough, sore throat and gastric/urinary tract irritation.
Syrup / lozenge
Parts: root
Aqueous root extract is formulated into demulcent syrups and lozenges for symptomatic relief of dry irritating cough and throat irritation, allowing prolonged mucosal contact.
Poultice / topical preparation of leaf and root
Parts: leaf, root
Powdered root or bruised leaf mixed with warm water forms an emollient poultice traditionally applied to inflamed skin, minor wounds and insect bites.
Clinical Studies
Marshmallow Root Extract for the Treatment of Irritative Cough: Two Surveys on Users' View on Effectiveness and Tolerability
Consumers using aqueous marshmallow root extract (STW 42, marketed as Phytohustil) as lozenges or syrup for dry cough reported good symptomatic relief of oral/pharyngeal irritation and associated dry cough, with a rapid onset of effect (often within minutes) and very good tolerability.
Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects of Phytohustil and Root Extract of Althaea officinalis L. on Macrophages in vitro
Aqueous marshmallow root extract and the finished product Phytohustil reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory activity in stimulated human macrophages, providing a mechanistic basis for the demulcent and anti-inflammatory soothing of irritated mucosa.
Historical Texts
Pedanius Dioscorides, De Materia Medica (althaia, from Greek 'althainein', to heal)
1st century ADPliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia
1st century ADCharlemagne, Capitulare de villis
c. 800 ADNicholas Culpeper, The English Physitian (Complete Herbal)
1652-1653References
- Deters A, Zippel J, Hellenbrand N, Pappai D, Possemeyer C, Hensel A. Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from marshmallow roots (Althaea officinalis L.): cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro . Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2010) [DOI]
- Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K. Marshmallow Root Extract for the Treatment of Irritative Cough: Two Surveys on Users' View on Effectiveness and Tolerability . Complementary Medicine Research (2018) [DOI]
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Community herbal monograph on Althaea officinalis L., radix . European Medicines Agency (2016) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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