Marshmallow

Scientific Name(s): Althaea officinalis L.
Common Name(s): Althea, Altheae radix, Mallards, Marshmallow, Mauls, Schloss tea, White mallow

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

A. officinalis has been traditionally used for cough, inflammation of the mouth and stomach, and peptic ulcers. It appears to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and may be used topically to increase epithelialization of wounds. However, there are no recent clinical trials to support these uses.

Dosing

Root: 6 g/day.

Leaf: 10 g/day.

Marshmallow syrup: 10 g/day.

Topical: 5 to 10 g in an ointment or cream base or 5% powdered marshmallow leaf applied 3 times daily.

Gargle: 2 g soaked in 240 mL of cold water for 2 hours then gargled. Hot water should not be used.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

Oral medications: When taken with other oral medications, marshmallow may delay the absorption of the other medications.

Oral hypoglycemic agents/Insulin: Due to potential additive hypoglycemic effects, marshmallow should be used cautiously in patients receiving oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin.

Topical corticosteroids: Marshmallow may enhance the effects of topical corticosteroids. Use caution.

Aminoglycosides: Use caution or avoid use of marshmallow in patients receiving aminoglycosides such as gentamicin.

Adverse Reactions

Anecdotal evidence suggests potential allergic reactions and hypoglycemia.

Toxicology

The acute median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of A. officinalis in mice was greater than 5,000 mg/kg.

Scientific Family

• Malvaceae (mallow)

Botany

Marshmallow is a perennial plant that grows up to 1.5 m in height in salt marshes and moist regions throughout Europe, western and northern Asia, and the eastern United States. Its flowers are pink and the 3-lobed leaves are velvety due to a dense covering of hair. The plant blooms from July to September and resembles hollyhock (Althaea rosea). Marshmallow root is collected in the fall from a plant that is at least 2 years old, and is then peeled of its brown corky layer, dried, and used in commerce.

The Malvaceae family is known as the mallow family, and confusion may surround the common nomenclature and identification of plants in this group. A. officinalis should not be confused with confectionary marshmallows, which were once made from A. officinalis but currently consist mostly of sugar.1

History

Marshmallow root has traditionally been recognized as a source of mucilage, which has been used for more than 2 millennia to treat topical wounds and as a remedy for sore throats, cough, and stomach ailments. The first recorded therapeutic use of marshmallow was in the ninth century BC.2 The mucilage is incorporated into ointments to soothe chapped skin and is added to foods in small quantities (approximately 20 ppm) to provide bulk and texture.3 One report discusses althea-type plants at a Neanderthal gravesite in Iraq.4 Marshmallow has also been used ritualistically to treat impotence; seeds are harvested under a full moon and made into an oil that is applied to the genitalia.1

Chemistry

Marshmallow root and leaves contain mucilage polysaccharides (6.2% to 11.6% and 6% to 9%, respectively).2 The mucilage content varies consi...