Latin Name: Althaea officinalis
Family: Malvaceae
Part used: Dried peeled root, leaves, flowers.
Energetics: Sweet, Cooling and Moist.
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.
Safe alongside Herb
Acetylsalicylic acid
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
None Known.
ACTIONS
- Soothing demulcent
- Emollient
- Nutritive
- Alterative
- Anti-lithic
- Antitussive
- Vulnerary
- Diuretic
- Anti-itch
- Urinary demulcent
- Expectorant
- Immune enhancer
- Antiseptic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic
- Galactagogue.
Main Constituents
- Starch
- Mucilage (up to 35% in root)
- Pectin
- Tannins
- Sterols
- Sugars
- Asparagin
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Phytosterol.
Main Uses
Digestive System: Inflammation of the alimentary canal, Ulceration of the stomach and duodenum, Hiatus hernia, Catarrh in the stomach, Diarrhoea, The plant supplies an abundance of mucilage for the protection of mucous membranes of the mouth in the presence of a stone
Skin: Open wounds (to cleanse and heal), A poultice or ointment can be applied topically for boils, abscesses, ulcers and old wounds, to draw toxic matter to the surface, before expulsion from the body
Respiratory System: Catarrh in the respiratory tract, Dry cough, The plant supplies an abundance of mucilage for the protection of mucous membranes of the nose in the presence of a stone
Urinary System: Inflammation of the kidneys, Inflammation of the bladder, Cystitis, Irritable bladder, The plant supplies an abundance of mucilage for the protection of mucous membranes of the urinary tract in the presence of a stone
More About Marshmallow
The root of the Marshmallow has a sweet taste and perhaps the most important remedy for providing moisture, which is due to its high content of mucilage.
It is very demulcent and also nutritive- similar to slippery elm. It helps to restore the blood and nourish the bodily fluids by calming and relaxing which can help in cases of gastric and intestinal dryness, inflammation and hyperacidity.
The cooling demulcent action is also beneficial in lung issues where there is dryness, such as a hard, dry cough.
Marshmallow is a remedy for acute conditions where pain, irritation and redness are present on the skin due to its emollient effect.
Marshmallow was traditionally used in combination with other herbs to aid childbirth. It can stimulate the flow of breastmilk.
As a diuretic, marshmallow eases the passing of urinary calculi and soothes cystitis and an irritable bladder.
Recipes:
Marshmallow Root Tea
Soak one root of Marshmallow (or 2-3tsp cut/ dried root) and ½ root Liquorice (1-2tsp cut/ dried root) in a pan of cold water overnight. Warm it up on the hob in the morning, and then add an inch of fresh ginger, a full onion, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and drink the fluid freely - hot or cold- for the onset of a cold, dry cough, congestion, sinus issues or earache.
Lavender Marshmallows with Marshmallow Root
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp marshmallow root powder
- Approx. 236ml of cold water, divided
- 3 tbsp unflavored gelatin
- Approx. 236g of raw honey (maple syrup can be an alternative)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. dried lavender buds, divided (for a little colour and light lavender flavour)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Approx. 31g of corn starch
Instructions:
- Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and sprinkle about 2tbsp of cornstarch into the pan so the marshmallows don’t stick.
- In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/2 cup of cold water. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to soften.
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, salt, the remaining half of cold water, and marshmallow root powder over medium heat.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is about 230°-240°F (use candy thermometer). Remove from heat and set aside.
- Next, whisk the gelatin gently for a few seconds to evenly distribute.
- Slowly pour the honey mixture into the bowl with the softened gelatin.
- Using an electric mixer, begin gradually whisking faster, to avoid a hot honey splatter. Beat on high speed for about 10 minutes until the mixture has thickened and becomes white and fluffy.
- Stir in the dried lavender and vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Cover with remaining cornstarch and a sheet of parchment paper.
- Let the marshmallows set overnight.
- The next day, turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter dusted with cornstarch, cut the marshmallows into desired shapes.
- Sprinkle with the dried herbs for added decoration.
Notes:
Eat within 7-10 days.
Finally, store the lavender marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. These marshmallows are perfect for adding to a cup of hot chocolate or tea, or as a topping for a bowl of hot cereal. They are also great for alleviating sore throats!
Remember, marshmallows made with marshmallow root are still a sweet treat, so it’s important to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
References
Cough, sore throat, respiratory ailments
Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis L.) and Its Potency in the Treatment of Cough.
The results of animal and clinical studies confirmed the efficacy of A. officinalis extracts alone in treatment of dry cough. Therefore, A. officinalis in combination with other plant extracts in different forms of drug could be a good choice for cough, sore throat, and other respiratory ailments.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31770755/
Atopic dermatitis
Effect of topical marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) on atopic dermatitis in children: A pilot double-blind active-controlled clinical trial of an in-silico-analyzed phytomedicine.
The results of this pilot study showed that the efficacy of Althaea officinalis 1% ointment in a decrease of disease severity is more than Hydrocortisone 1% in children with AD.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33034099/
Althaea officinalis L., Phytohustil®, ROS, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, macrophage, marshmallow, migration.
Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects of Phytohustil ® and Root Extract of Althaea officinalis L. on Macrophages in vitro.
The present in vitro investigations indicate protective, i.e., anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of REAo and Phytohustil®, additionally improving the migratory capacity of MΦ. These antiinflammatory effects were similar or even better than diclofenac. Thus, our data support and may explain the positive effect of Phytohustil® observed in patients during the therapy of inflamed buccal mucosal membranes or treatment of cough.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32256361/
Antibacterial, Acidovorax facilis., Bacillus. sp., Enterobacter hormachei., Kocuria rosea
Antibacterial Activity of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Althaea officinalis. and Althaea cannabina. from Turkey.
Althaea officinalis. was the most effective against the bacteria used in this study. This is the first report of the antibacterial potency of Althaea officinalis. and Althaea cannabina. on a range of food-borne bacteria. The results provide evidence that Althaea officinalis. and Althaea cannabina. might indeed be potential sources of new antibacterial agents.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880200701213179
Antibacterial
Antibacterial Effects of Different Concentrations of Althaea officinalis Root Extract versus 0.2% Chlorhexidine and Penicillin on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus (In vitro).
The root extract of A. officinalis exhibited antibacterial effects on S. mutans and L. acidophilus, but this effect was less than those of CHX mouthwash and penicillin. The antibacterial effect increased with an increase in the concentration of the extract.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5558251/