Marshmallow Root: An Herbal Guide to Digestion and Immune Health
Laura Rubin Clinical Herbalist, showing love for marshmallow root after harvesting it.
What is Marshmallow Root?
Yes, Marshmallow is an actual plant!
While many of us know it as a candy, Marshmallow, scientifically known as Althaea officinalis, is a member of the Malvaceae family. This herb has a rich history of over 2,000 years in traditional medicine across European, Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures.
The root and leaves are most commonly used. In this article, I’ll be reviewing information on the root - which is the most commonly used part of the plant.
Herbal Monograph Profile: info on Marshmallow Root
An herbal monograph is a complete profile of a plant: covering the plant’s botany, herbal energetics, how it has been traditionally used for health benefits and modernly used. It also reviews potential safety considerations.
See below for my herbal monograph profile on Marshmallow, to discover key benefits and learnings.
Scientific Name: Althaea officinalis
Family: Malvaceae
Common Name: Marshmallow
Parts Used and Collection: Root, Leaves, Seeds
Habitat and Cultivation: Europe, Western Asia
Taste: Sweet and Earthy
Energetics: Cooling and moist
Health Actions: Antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, aperient, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, prebiotic, vulnerary, antitussive
Marshmallow Root Traditional Uses
Marshmallow root has been used for over 2,000 years in Medicine across European, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures. Althaea comes from the Greek word Altho meaning to cure and Malvaceae comes from malake, meaning soft. It is indeed a soothing, soft curative herb with its rich demulcent qualities.
It was soaked in honey and enjoyed as a sweet treat by Ancient Egyptians. This is likely how we got the (vastly inferior) marshmallow candy today.
Marshmallow Root Health Benefits & Modern Uses
Note: This information is for educational purposes only and doesn’t supplement professional medical advice.
Digestive Health
In the divinity of herbs, Althaea is a high priestess for the digestive system. The root has rich prebiotic fiber (inulin) that supports the digestive flora, and it is a supreme demulcent herb that both soothes and repairs the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. It is great for both diarrhea and constipation.
Prepare it as a cool infusion to get the most out of its demulcency. You would let the fresh or dried marshmalllow root steep in cold water for at least a few hours hour, ideally overnight, for diarrhea and inflamed tissues.
To help with constipation, you can infuse it in cool water and drink immediately which would help hydrate and move stool out. This is a great herb for Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, other IBD issues, IBS, diverticulitis, gastritis and GERD.*
Respiratory Health
While largely known for its digestive powers, Marshmallow root is also used for bronchial conditions and inflammation of the respiratory system. In Ayurvedic practice, both the root and seed are used in a formula called Gojihvadi Kvath which is used for coughs.
As Gayle Engles writes in Herbalgram,
“In the Unani system of medicine, marshmallow seed is used for treatment of bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, and kidney stones…The Unani formulation, “Lauq-e-Sapistan,” is indicated for dry and irritative cough, scanty sputum, chronic bronchitis, and chronic catarrh.”
Skin Health
The sticky demulcent qualities of Marshmallow Root provide a protective coating that can be applied to the skin, after a sunburn or when there is redness and inflammation.
Urinary Health
According to Dr. Jill Stansbury, the demulcent constituents in Althaea are “presumed to be the primary constituents responsible for the urinary anodyne effects”, meaning it helps reduce pain with urination by acting on sensitivity through the nervous system (Dr. Stansbury, Jill, ND. Herbal Formularies For Health Professionals Volume 1: Digestion and Elimination. Page 156).
Since the polysaccharides of the marshmallow don’t directly come in contact with the urinary or respiratory tract, it is thought that this nervous system response is triggered in the gut.
Pretty cool! It is used to lessen frequent urination and cystitis.
Watch the Marshmallow Root video!
I love Marshmallow Root so much that I created a rap about it!
Looking for a quick 101 on this powerful herb? Watch the Marshmallow Root rap by clicking the video image below!
Clinical Herbalist Laura Rubin rapping about the Marshmallow Root plant
Marshmallow Root: How to Use it, Science, Preparation and Safety
How to Use It:
Marshmallow root can work well as a cold infusion, meaning it sits in cold water for several hours - at least one hour. This allows the water to get viscous or sticky.
Here are some ways to enjoy Marshmallow Root:
Cold infusion
Hot infusion / hot tea
Broths
Powder
Culinary use: powders used in electuraries or energy balls
Supplement
An easy way to prepare it is to use use 1-2 tablespoons of the dried root (cut or sifted or powdered) per 8oz water, 2-4x/day.
Due to its rich polysaccharide content, it is not recommended to tincture Marshmallow Root because this is not soluble in alcohol.
Common Herbal Combinations:
Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Safety and Contraindications:
Generally recognized as safe, although the mucilage could be contraindicated in catarrhal and congestive conditions.
Constituents and Pharmacology:
Root: Mucilage, 18-35% consisting of polysaccharides, 36% pectin, 1-2% asparagine, tannins
Leaf: Mucilage (including a low-molecular-weight d-clugan), flavanoids, polyphenolic acids, scopoletin (a coumarin)
Pregnancy and Lactation: Generally recognized as safe. Always consult a medical professional.
Personal Reflections
Marshmallow is my first true herbal ally, it sings songs that abundantly open my heart and mind. As someone who has struggled with Crohn’s Disease for 20+ years, Marshmallow is a dear friend that soothes and nourishes my body and soul. The soft, pleasant taste of Marshmallow Root and Leaf are far more preferable over other demulcents like Slippery Elm.
Creating a Connection with Marshmallow
Curious about marshmallow root? Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me directly! And remember, it’s always good to consider if an herb is right for you.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information above is purely educational and cannot substitute professional medical advice. It is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose medical conditions. Consult with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
