Herbs & Supplements

Should I take it?

Believed to be native to swampy coastal areas of Europe, marshmallow now grows in damp areas of Asia, Europe, and Scandinavia. Strongly resembling the related plant, hollyhock, marshmallow can also be found along the upper east coast of the United States. After the first year of growth, marshmallow plants consist of tall, thick stems with broad leaves that are covered in soft hairs. Early in the spring, its young leaves may be eaten in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Large white, pink, red, or purple flowers bloom from about mid-June until the first frost.

For use in medicine, leaves are collected in late summer and second-year or third-year roots are harvested after the stems die down in the autumn. Thick root bark is removed before the soft, white marshmallow roots are dried for use. In addition to its medicinal uses, marshmallow is also used to thicken and stabilize foods and to flavor beverages and foods. The candy known as marshmallows is now made from sugar and egg whites. Originally, however it was thickened with the roots of the marshmallow plant, which gave the candy its name.

Dosage and Administration

Both the leaves and roots of marshmallow may be found in commercial oral dosage forms that include extracts and syrups. Extracts are concentrated liquid preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid such as alcohol, and then straining out the solid parts. Dosing varies according to the type and concentration of the product and the condition being treated. Individuals who decide to use marshmallow should follow the directions on the package that is purchased.

Teas made from marshmallow may be taken up to three times a day. Marshmallow leaf tea may be made by adding 2 teaspoons to 5 teaspoons of dried leaf to about 5 ounces of hot (but not boiling) water, allowing it to soak for 10 minutes, and then straining out the solid particles. For marshmallow root tea, 2 teaspoons to 5 teaspoons of the dried powdered root may be added to about 5 ounces of warm water and allowed to soak for at least an hour before straining out the solids. Marshmallow tea may be heated or consumed cold.

For use on the skin, shredded or powdered marshmallow root may be mixed with enough warm water to form a thick paste, which is often spread onto a soft, clean cloth. The resulting poultice may be heated or simply applied to irritated skin as often as needed. Cooled marshmallow tea may also be used as a skin wash. If the skin at the area where marshmallow is applied blisters or becomes more irritated, the marshmallow preparation should be washed off with warm water and it should not be re-applied.

Summary

Primarily due to a high content of mucilage and possibly due to slight anti-infective and immune-boosting effects, marshmallow is taken by mouth to soothe sore mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal (GI) tissue. It may also relieve topical irritation when applied to the skin.

Risks

Taking marshmallow potentially may decrease blood sugar levels. Therefore, individuals with diabetes should monitor blood sugar levels carefully while taking it.

Side Effects

No side effects have been attributed to taking or applying marshmallow.

Interactions

Because it coats the GI tract, oral marshmallow preparations may interfere with the absorption of drugs or other herbals in the body.

Last Revised July 29, 2008