Marshmallow: Medicinal Uses

Products

Marshmallow is included in cold and flu remedies, for example, in teas, tea mixtures, cough suppressants, and candies. Marshmallow syrup is also prepared from the medicinal drug, and marshmallow is an ingredient in chest tea (PH) and the so-called snail juice.

Stem plant

Marshmallow L., like mallow – which is used for similar applications – belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae). It is native to Europe.

Medicinal drugs

The roots, leaves and flowers are used as medicinal drugs.

  • Marshmallow roots (Althaeae radix) are the peeled or unpeeled, whole or cut, dried roots of the plant.
  • Marshmallow leaves (Althaeae folium) are the whole or cut, dried leaves of the plant. They contain slightly less mucilage.
  • Marshmallow flowers (Althaeae flos) are not officinal.

Ingredients

The mucilages (mucilage polysaccharides) are primarily held responsible for the effects.

Effects

Preparations from the roots and leaves have soothing, antitussive (cough suppressant), immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Indications

Dosage

Marshmallow is usually prepared as a cold extract. The medicinal drug is poured over with cold water and left for about half an hour to two hours. Stir several times, and then strain or coluse. The resulting liquid can be warmed before drinking.

Interactions

Absorption of concomitantly taken drugs may possibly be delayed.

Adverse effects

No information is available on possible adverse effects.