Marshmallow Root

Herb Ulcer Cough Demulcent Anti-inflammatory Marshmallow Althaea officinalis Mucilage Digestive Respiratory Urinary Sore Throat Gastritis Colitis Cystitis Emollient

Published on December 20, 2025 by Guy

Marshmallow root (*Althaea officinalis*) is a demulcent herb native to European salt marshes, containing up to 35% mucilage that soothes and coats irritated mucous membranes throughout the body. Traditionally valued since ancient Greece for wound healing and respiratory relief, it remains one of the most important herbs for digestive inflammation, dry coughs, and urinary tract irritation. The German Commission E has approved it for oral/throat irritation, dry cough, and mild gastric inflammation.

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Marshmallow Root
- Marshmallow
- Althea
- Mortification Root
- Sweet Weed
- Wymote
- Cheeses

Latin Name: Althaea officinalis

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

  • Wound healing and poultices - Ancient Greek medicine (Hippocrates, Dioscorides)
  • Sore throat and respiratory complaints - European herbal tradition dating to 9th century BC
  • Digestive upset including dysentery - Referenced by Culpeper (1653) who used it to treat his son
  • Urinary tract inflammation and gravel - Traditional Western herbal medicine
  • Topical application for burns, boils, and abscesses - Cross-cultural traditional use

Modern Uses

  • Dry cough and throat irritation - Coats irritated mucous membranes | Research quality: Strong
  • Key findings: Commission E and ESCOP approved for dry cough and oral/pharyngeal irritation; antitussive activity demonstrated in experimental models

  • Source citations: Bone (A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs); WRCHM Western Materia Medica I

  • Digestive tract inflammation (gastritis, peptic ulcer, enteritis, colitis) - Mucilage forms protective coating | Research quality: Moderate

  • Key findings: Polysaccharides swell 12-15x their volume to coat stomach lining; Commission E approved for mild gastric inflammation

  • Source citations: Balch (Prescription for Herbal Healing); Hoffman (Holistic Herbal)

  • Urinary tract irritation (cystitis, urethritis) - Soothing diuretic action | Research quality: Moderate

  • Key findings: Called "the most diuretic of the mucilages" and "the most mucilaginous of the diuretics"; soothing operation on kidneys and bladder

  • Source citations: Wood (The Earthwise Herbal); Bone (A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs)

  • Skin conditions (topical) - Emollient and wound-healing | Research quality: Preliminary

  • Key findings: Polysaccharides demonstrate moderate bioadhesion to epithelial tissue; used for varicose ulcers, burns, wounds
  • Source citations: Bone (A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs)

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Mucilage (up to 35% in root) - Complex acidic polysaccharides that coat, soothe, and protect irritated tissues
- Pectins - Support mucilage function and digestive health
- Flavonoids - Contribute to anti-inflammatory activity
- Phenolic acids - Provide additional therapeutic activity
- Tannins - Mild astringent properties

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried root (cold infusion/decoction)
- Amount: 2-6 g per day
- Frequency: Divided into 2-3 doses

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Tincture (1:5, 25%): 3-6 ml per day or 5-15 ml per day (varies by preparation)
- Glycetract (1:5): 3-6 ml per day
- Syrup: 2-10 ml as needed
- Tincture drops: 20-40 drops per dose
- Purpose: Digestive or respiratory complaints
- Duration: As needed; safe for extended use

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 6 g dried root or equivalent
- Warning threshold: No established toxicity threshold; considered very safe

Bioavailability Notes:
- Cold water extraction preserves mucilage better than hot water
- Mucilage is more soluble in glycerol-water combinations than alcohol-water
- Ethanol-water extracts will extract some mucilage but not optimally

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- With or without food
- For digestive complaints, best taken 30 minutes before meals to coat stomach lining
- Cold infusions should steep 8-30 minutes (some sources say overnight)
- Allow 1-2 hours between marshmallow and pharmaceutical medications to avoid absorption interference

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Licorice Root - Both soothe mucous membranes; licorice adds anti-inflammatory and immune support | Enhanced respiratory and digestive relief
2. Slippery Elm Bark - Complementary mucilaginous herbs | Combined demulcent effect for ointments and digestive formulas
3. Comfrey - Traditional pairing for ulcerative conditions | Enhanced tissue healing (internal and external)
4. White Horehound - For bronchitis formulas | Combined respiratory support
5. Parsley Root, Gravel Root, Juniper Berries - For urinary complaints | Enhanced diuretic action and stone relief

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. None specifically documented - Generally combines well with other herbs

Drug Interactions:
1. All oral medications - Mucilage may delay or reduce absorption | Take marshmallow 1-2 hours before or after medications | Severity level: Mild to Moderate
2. Diabetes medications - Some research suggests possible blood sugar lowering effect when injected (not confirmed with oral use) | Monitor blood glucose | Severity level: Mild

Food Interactions:
- None documented
- Actually enhances the effects of warm milk and honey

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- None known (per Bone, A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs)

Side Effects:
- None expected within recommended dose range
- Tea may have a "slimy" quality that some find disagreeable

Long-Term Use:
- Considered safe for prolonged use
- No cycling required
- No monitoring recommendations beyond general wellness checks
- Historically used as a food/confection as well as medicine

Special Precautions:
- Pregnancy/Lactation: No adverse effects expected
- Surgery: No specific concerns documented
- Diabetics: European guidelines counsel caution due to potential blood sugar effects (injected extracts only; no evidence of oral hypoglycemia)
- Timing with medications: Allow 1-2 hour separation due to absorption concerns

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Dry cough and throat irritation, digestive tract inflammation (gastritis, ulcers, colitis), urinary tract irritation

Secondary: Topical wound healing, skin irritation, constipation (as part of formulas), kidney/bladder support

Sources

Local Library:
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs
- Wood, Matthew - The Earthwise Herbal, Volume 1
- Hoffman, David - Holistic Herbal
- Hoffman, David - An Herbal Guide to Stress Relief
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing
- Tierra, Michael - The Way of Herbs
- Lust, John - The Herb Book
- Hobbs, Christopher - Grow It, Heal It
- Fewell, Amy K. - The Homesteader's Herbal Companion
- WRCHM - Western Materia Medica I
- Pursell, J. J. - Master Recipes from the Herbal Apothecary
- Mars, Brigitte - The Country Almanac of Home Remedies
- Grogan, Barbara Brownell - Healing Herbs Handbook
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins

General Knowledge:
- German Commission E Monographs
- ESCOP Monographs (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy)
- British Herbal Pharmacopoeia
- British Herbal Compendium