What effect does marshmallow have?
Marshmallow contains up to 20 percent mucilage. They relieve irritation of the mucous membranes by protecting them when taken internally. The leaves and roots of the medicinal plant therefore help to relieve irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, as well as the associated dry, irritating cough.
The root also helps with stomach problems caused by irritation of the mucous membranes.
How is marshmallow used?
You can use leaves and roots of marshmallow in dried and cut form to prepare a tea:
- Pour about 150 milliliters of cold water over one to two teaspoons of the root extract (about 0.5 to 3 grams) or one tablespoon (about 2 grams) of the leaf extract.
- Let the mixture stand for one to two hours, stirring occasionally, so that the cold water can dissolve out the mucilage.
- Then heat the mixture briefly to boiling, allow to cool and pour through a tea strainer.
You can drink such a cup of cold marshmallow infusion three times a day. The maximum daily dose of root drug is 3 to 4.5 grams for children and ten grams for adolescents and adults. For the marshmallow leaves, the recommended daily dose is 5 grams (all ages).
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Ready-made preparations with marshmallow
Marshmallow is also used therapeutically in other dosage forms. For example, tablets, cough syrup and syrups based on the medicinal plant are available for purchase. Information on use and dosage can be found in the package insert or you can find out from your doctor or pharmacist.
What you should bear in mind when using marshmallow
- Diabetics should pay attention to the sugar content when taking marshmallow syrup.
- No safety studies are available for the use of marshmallow preparations during pregnancy and lactation.
- Have cough in children under three years of age examined by a doctor. Self-medication with the medicinal plant is not recommended.
- Effects and side effects of marshmallow in the treatment of stomach disorders in children under twelve years of age have not been researched, which is why its use is also not recommended in this case.
- Marshmallow may possibly delay the absorption of other active drug ingredients into the body. Therefore, take preparations of the medicinal plant half an hour to a full hour before other medicines.
What side effects can marshmallow cause?
How to get marshmallow products
You can get various marshmallow preparations in pharmacies and in some drugstores. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use and dose each preparation correctly. Also read the package insert.
Marshmallow: What is it?
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 1.5 meters tall, with leaves arranged spirally on the stems with tomentose white hairs and three to five lobes. In the axils of the leaves unfold in summer large white or reddish flowers.
The shape of the flowers is characteristic of the mallow family (Malvaceae), to which the medicinal plant belongs. It is not poisonous.
The plant is native to Asia. In the meantime, however, it has spread to Europe and America. However, there are hardly any wild populations in Central European regions. For use as a medicinal and ornamental plant, marshmallow is therefore cultivated.
