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Information about the herb Marshmallow
Althea officinalis , also known as Cheeses is part of the Malvaceae plant family. Marshmallow originally
grew in salty soils but now thrives in moist, uncultivated ground such as marshes
and swamps in Great Britain, Southern and Western Europe, Western Asia, and
the Northeastern North America.
The large family of Mallows grow abundantly with about 1000 species.
Botanical Name: Althea officinalis
Plant Family: Malvaceae
Common Names: Cheeses, Guimauve, Mallards, Mauls, Mortification Root, Schloss Tea, Sweet Weed, Wymote
History: The name Althaea comes from the Greek altho, 'to cure', and Malvaceae comes from the Greek Malake, 'soft'.
It has been used for centuries as a food by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Syrians and Chinese and as a medicine by the early Arabian physicians who also used it as a:
- poultice made from its leaves and applied to the skin to reduce inflammation
Tradition:
- It was used to decorate friends' graves of in the time of Discorides
Plant Constituents of Marshmallow
Contains:
- asparagin
- cellulose
- glutinous matter
- mucilage
- pectin
- phosphate of lime
- starch
- sugar
- tannins
- volatile oil
Action:
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- anti-irritant [an agent to ease inflammation]
- demulcent [a substance that soothes inflamed mucous membranes and protects them from irritation]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
- emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
- soothing
Medicinal Parts Used: Leaves (especially the mucilage or gummy secretion in the leaves), roots, flowers
Marshmallow is used for:
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- beneficial for the digestive system
- beneficial where the natural mucous has been abraded from the coats of the intestines
- calms enteritis and colitis
- colitis
- digestive problems
- dysentery
- inflammatory bowel diseases such as:
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- soothes stomach inflammation and ulcers
Genitourinary System Conditions
- cystitis
- eases urinary pain
- gravel
- relaxing effect on the urinary passages
- urinary hemorrhages
- soothes infection and irritation from kidney and bladder stones
Inflammatory Conditions
- beneficial for joints (anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory)
- soothes irritated tissue
Respiratory System Conditions
- aids in the expectoration of difficult mucous and phlegm from the lungs
- all lung ailments including bronchitis
- asthma
- bronchial asthma
- bronchitis
- common cold
- eases dry, harsh coughs
- hoarseness ('frog in the throat')
- lung catarrh
- protects and soothes irritated mucous membranes
- relaxes and soothes the bronchial tubes
- removes mucous obstructions from the chest and throat (with Mullein)
- soothes emphysema
- soothes sore throats
- whooping cough
Other Conditions
- aids weight loss (Marshmallow swells with fluid and gives a sense of fullness)
Externally: It is used for
- an eye wash for dry tear ducts
- a vaginal douche
- blood poisoning (often combined with Cayenne)
- bruises
- burns
- chapped skin
- earache (vapor)
- gangrene
- minor wounds
- muscle and sinew aches
- pain, inflammation and swelling caused by insect bites and stings
- rectal irritation (sitz bath)
- removing obstinate inflammations, often combined with Slippery Elm (poultice)
- skin inflammation (poultice)
- sprains
Dosage:
- Marshmallow Root Extract two to three times daily
- Dried root: 2-6g in cold infusion or equivalent preparations 3/day
Caution:
Marshmallow should be taken several hours before or after ingesting other herbs or medications as it may interfere with the absorption of certain medications
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Marshmallow without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you taking any of the following medications:
- None noted
Global Herbal Supplies has Marshmallow available in the following forms
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
