Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsFormsSide Effects and Interactions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Forms
Side Effects and Interactions
Marshmallow root is a mostly perennial herb of theMalvaceaeplant family used for centuries as an herbal remedy. The most-studied benefits of marshmallow root have been in treating respiratory and digestive tract symptoms, and in skin health and wound repair.
Some studies identify antioxidant and antibacterial properties, but marshmallow root also may pose risks due to interaction with diuretics and other drugs. More research is needed to better understand how marshmallow root can be used to boost health.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
BRUNO PETRIGLIA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
7 Marshmallow Root Benefits
The following are the benefits of marshmallow roots:
Does Marshmallow Root Taste Like Marshmallows?Marshmallow root is sweet, but the sweetness is very subtle. Unlike candy marshmallows, marshmallow root also has a slight earthy taste.
Does Marshmallow Root Taste Like Marshmallows?
Marshmallow root is sweet, but the sweetness is very subtle. Unlike candy marshmallows, marshmallow root also has a slight earthy taste.
Treating Digestive Ulcers
One in vitro and in vivo (animal) study from 2019 demonstrates that marshmallow root has protective properties for treating gastrointestinal (mouth, throat, and stomach) ulcers. Researchers determined that the benefits of marshmallow root for digestive issues are derived from its components, including vitamins and antioxidants, which prevent cell damage, and plant compounds like tannins, which promote a healthy mucosal lining within the digestive tract.
However, more studies are needed to determine the effectiveness in humans.
More Digestive Diseases
Supporting Skin and Hair Health
The antioxidant and protective properties of marshmallow root support healthy cell functioning, which promotes healthy skin and hair.For this reason, marshmallow root is sometimes used as an ingredient in natural shampoos and conditioners.
Vitamins and Supplements for Dry Skin
Treating Skin Conditions and Wound Healing
Marshmallow root can be used for wound healing. It can reduce skin irritation and inflammation associated with wounds or conditions like contact dermatitis or eczema.
Contact Dermatitis
Aiding in Metabolism
Marshmallow root affects hormones. One animal study from 2014 found marshmallow root extract impacted thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and may aid in metabolism (the body process that changes what you eat and drink into energy).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Treating Cough and Sore Throat
Marshmallow root is used inherbal remediesto relieve coughs and throat pain. Researchers say the effects of marshmallow root’s medicinal extracts are immediate and offer a protective, antioxidant-rich film that coats inflamed mucosa (the inner lining of the nose, throat, and lungs), soothes irritation, and helps relieve coughs. This film protects the respiratory tract, promoting faster symptom relief and healing.
The antibacterial properties in marshmallow root also treat coughs from bacterial infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Causes of Throat Pain and Treatment Options
Reducing Water Retention
The anti-inflammatory and diuretic (rids the body of water and sodium) properties in marshmallow root reduce water retention (edema).
Edema and How Its Treated
Treating Sore or Cracked Skin and Reducing Pain Associated With Breastfeeding
Marshmallow root contains the following beneficial plant compounds:
These plant compounds treat sore and cracked nipples during breastfeeding. No data exist on whether marshmallow root can be excreted into breast milk or what the safety and efficacy of marshmallow root is in nursing mothers or infants.
What Is Breastfeeding?
Marshmallow Root Forms
Marshmallow root is available in several forms. You can purchase marshmallow root online, at natural food stores, and in products sold in grocery stores.
Marshmallow root can be found in the following:
Do Jet-Puffed Marshmallows Contain Marshmallow Root?Originally, marshmallows were made with marshmallow root. Now, though, marshmallows are made with gelatin instead of actual marshmallow root.
Do Jet-Puffed Marshmallows Contain Marshmallow Root?
Originally, marshmallows were made with marshmallow root. Now, though, marshmallows are made with gelatin instead of actual marshmallow root.
Dosing of Marshmallow Root Tea
New Tea Research Boasts Heart, Brain, and Immune Benefits
Taking Marshmallow Root Extract
Directions can vary for every capsule, tincture, or extract. Also, some products contain just marshmallow root, while others are a blend of marshmallow root and other herbal ingredients.
General Guidelines for dosing Marshmallow RootDosing is based on guidelines from the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), an organization that reviews the therapeutic uses of herbal products based on scientific evidence and leading expertise. Marshmallow root has been dosed at 0.5–5 grams in 150 milliliters of water given three times daily.Root syrup, or liquid marshmallow root, is commonly dosed at 2–8 milliliters a day.
General Guidelines for dosing Marshmallow Root
Dosing is based on guidelines from the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), an organization that reviews the therapeutic uses of herbal products based on scientific evidence and leading expertise. Marshmallow root has been dosed at 0.5–5 grams in 150 milliliters of water given three times daily.Root syrup, or liquid marshmallow root, is commonly dosed at 2–8 milliliters a day.
Using Marshmallow Root Creams for Skin Conditions
One study found 1% marshmallow root ointment was effective in treating skin irritation in children. The ointment was applied topically (to the skin) twice a day for a week and then three times per week for three weeks.
7 Home Remedies for Eczema
Side Effects and Drug Interactions From Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is generally considered safe for use and is well tolerated in adults, with rare reports of allergic reactions.However, it can interact with certain drugs. For instance, it should not be used when taking lithium and diabetes drugs or when taking drugs that act as diuretics, such as blood pressure medication.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to make sure it will not have a negative impact on your other medications.
Can You Take Marshmallow Root While Breastfeeding?The LactMed database of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides no data on the safety of marshmallow root during breastfeeding, but it is unlikely to be harmful to the breastfed infant.
Can You Take Marshmallow Root While Breastfeeding?
The LactMed database of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides no data on the safety of marshmallow root during breastfeeding, but it is unlikely to be harmful to the breastfed infant.
Summary
Marshmallow root is a natural remedy that’s been used for centuries to help relieve symptoms and treat conditions. Marshmallow root is particularly useful in relieving symptoms related to respiratory, digestive, and skin health. It is antibacterial and rich in antioxidants.
You can find marshmallow root online and in health food and grocery stores in teas, tinctures, capsules, and other extracts, as well as in creams, balms, and and salves for the skin. Dosing depends on method of use and includes teas and salves. Marshmallow root is considered safe with side effects being rare.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zaghlool SS, Abo-Seif AA, Rabeh MA, Abdelmohsen UR, Messiha BAS.Gastro-protective and anti-oxidant potential ofAlthaea officinalisandSolanum nigrumon pyloric ligation/indomethacin-induced ulceration in rats.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(11):512. doi:10.3390/antiox8110512Albahri G, Badran A, Hijazi A, Nasser M, Merah O.The therapeutic wound healing bioactivities of various medicinal plants.Life (Basel). 2023;13(2):317. doi:10.3390/life13020317Roshangar F, Modaresi M, Toghyani M.Effect of marshmallow’s root extract on thyroid hormones in broilers.Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology.2014;7(1):161-164. doi:10.19026/rjaset.7.234Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users’ view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res. 2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560Bonaterra GA, Bronischewski K, Hunold P, Schwarzbach H, Heinrich EU, Fink C, Aziz-Kalbhenn H, Müller J, Kinscherf R.Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Phytohustil® and root extract ofAlthaea officinalisL. on macrophagesin vitro.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:290. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00290Asnaashari S, Dastmalchi S, Javadzadeh Y.Gastroprotective effects of herbal medicines (roots).International Journal of Food Properties. 2017;902-920. doi:10.1080/10942912.2018.1473876Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Marshmallow.Silveira D, Prieto-Garcia JM, Boylan F, Estrada O, Fonseca-Bazzo YM, Jamal CM, Magalhães PO, Pereira EO, Tomczyk M, Heinrich M.COVID-19: Is there evidence for the use of herbal medicines as adjuvant symptomatic therapy?Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:581840. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.581840Naseri V, Chavoshzadeh Z, Mizani A, Daneshfard B, Ghaffari F, Abbas-Mohammadi M, Gachkar L, Kamalinejad M, Jafari Hajati R, Bahaeddin Z, Faghihzadeh S, Naseri M. Effect of topical marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) on atopic dermatitis in children:A pilot double-blind active-controlled clinical trial of an in-silico-analyzed phytomedicine.Phytother Res. 2021;35(3):1389-1398. doi: 0.1002/ptr.6899Mount Sinai Hospital.Marshmallow information.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zaghlool SS, Abo-Seif AA, Rabeh MA, Abdelmohsen UR, Messiha BAS.Gastro-protective and anti-oxidant potential ofAlthaea officinalisandSolanum nigrumon pyloric ligation/indomethacin-induced ulceration in rats.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(11):512. doi:10.3390/antiox8110512Albahri G, Badran A, Hijazi A, Nasser M, Merah O.The therapeutic wound healing bioactivities of various medicinal plants.Life (Basel). 2023;13(2):317. doi:10.3390/life13020317Roshangar F, Modaresi M, Toghyani M.Effect of marshmallow’s root extract on thyroid hormones in broilers.Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology.2014;7(1):161-164. doi:10.19026/rjaset.7.234Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users’ view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res. 2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560Bonaterra GA, Bronischewski K, Hunold P, Schwarzbach H, Heinrich EU, Fink C, Aziz-Kalbhenn H, Müller J, Kinscherf R.Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Phytohustil® and root extract ofAlthaea officinalisL. on macrophagesin vitro.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:290. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00290Asnaashari S, Dastmalchi S, Javadzadeh Y.Gastroprotective effects of herbal medicines (roots).International Journal of Food Properties. 2017;902-920. doi:10.1080/10942912.2018.1473876Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Marshmallow.Silveira D, Prieto-Garcia JM, Boylan F, Estrada O, Fonseca-Bazzo YM, Jamal CM, Magalhães PO, Pereira EO, Tomczyk M, Heinrich M.COVID-19: Is there evidence for the use of herbal medicines as adjuvant symptomatic therapy?Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:581840. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.581840Naseri V, Chavoshzadeh Z, Mizani A, Daneshfard B, Ghaffari F, Abbas-Mohammadi M, Gachkar L, Kamalinejad M, Jafari Hajati R, Bahaeddin Z, Faghihzadeh S, Naseri M. Effect of topical marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) on atopic dermatitis in children:A pilot double-blind active-controlled clinical trial of an in-silico-analyzed phytomedicine.Phytother Res. 2021;35(3):1389-1398. doi: 0.1002/ptr.6899Mount Sinai Hospital.Marshmallow information.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zaghlool SS, Abo-Seif AA, Rabeh MA, Abdelmohsen UR, Messiha BAS.Gastro-protective and anti-oxidant potential ofAlthaea officinalisandSolanum nigrumon pyloric ligation/indomethacin-induced ulceration in rats.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(11):512. doi:10.3390/antiox8110512Albahri G, Badran A, Hijazi A, Nasser M, Merah O.The therapeutic wound healing bioactivities of various medicinal plants.Life (Basel). 2023;13(2):317. doi:10.3390/life13020317Roshangar F, Modaresi M, Toghyani M.Effect of marshmallow’s root extract on thyroid hormones in broilers.Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology.2014;7(1):161-164. doi:10.19026/rjaset.7.234Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users’ view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res. 2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560Bonaterra GA, Bronischewski K, Hunold P, Schwarzbach H, Heinrich EU, Fink C, Aziz-Kalbhenn H, Müller J, Kinscherf R.Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Phytohustil® and root extract ofAlthaea officinalisL. on macrophagesin vitro.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:290. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00290Asnaashari S, Dastmalchi S, Javadzadeh Y.Gastroprotective effects of herbal medicines (roots).International Journal of Food Properties. 2017;902-920. doi:10.1080/10942912.2018.1473876Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Marshmallow.Silveira D, Prieto-Garcia JM, Boylan F, Estrada O, Fonseca-Bazzo YM, Jamal CM, Magalhães PO, Pereira EO, Tomczyk M, Heinrich M.COVID-19: Is there evidence for the use of herbal medicines as adjuvant symptomatic therapy?Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:581840. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.581840Naseri V, Chavoshzadeh Z, Mizani A, Daneshfard B, Ghaffari F, Abbas-Mohammadi M, Gachkar L, Kamalinejad M, Jafari Hajati R, Bahaeddin Z, Faghihzadeh S, Naseri M. Effect of topical marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) on atopic dermatitis in children:A pilot double-blind active-controlled clinical trial of an in-silico-analyzed phytomedicine.Phytother Res. 2021;35(3):1389-1398. doi: 0.1002/ptr.6899Mount Sinai Hospital.Marshmallow information.
Zaghlool SS, Abo-Seif AA, Rabeh MA, Abdelmohsen UR, Messiha BAS.Gastro-protective and anti-oxidant potential ofAlthaea officinalisandSolanum nigrumon pyloric ligation/indomethacin-induced ulceration in rats.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(11):512. doi:10.3390/antiox8110512
Albahri G, Badran A, Hijazi A, Nasser M, Merah O.The therapeutic wound healing bioactivities of various medicinal plants.Life (Basel). 2023;13(2):317. doi:10.3390/life13020317
Roshangar F, Modaresi M, Toghyani M.Effect of marshmallow’s root extract on thyroid hormones in broilers.Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology.2014;7(1):161-164. doi:10.19026/rjaset.7.234
Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K.Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users’ view on effectiveness and tolerability.Complement Med Res. 2018;25(5):299-305. doi:10.1159/000489560
Bonaterra GA, Bronischewski K, Hunold P, Schwarzbach H, Heinrich EU, Fink C, Aziz-Kalbhenn H, Müller J, Kinscherf R.Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Phytohustil® and root extract ofAlthaea officinalisL. on macrophagesin vitro.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:290. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00290
Asnaashari S, Dastmalchi S, Javadzadeh Y.Gastroprotective effects of herbal medicines (roots).International Journal of Food Properties. 2017;902-920. doi:10.1080/10942912.2018.1473876
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Marshmallow.
Silveira D, Prieto-Garcia JM, Boylan F, Estrada O, Fonseca-Bazzo YM, Jamal CM, Magalhães PO, Pereira EO, Tomczyk M, Heinrich M.COVID-19: Is there evidence for the use of herbal medicines as adjuvant symptomatic therapy?Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:581840. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.581840
Naseri V, Chavoshzadeh Z, Mizani A, Daneshfard B, Ghaffari F, Abbas-Mohammadi M, Gachkar L, Kamalinejad M, Jafari Hajati R, Bahaeddin Z, Faghihzadeh S, Naseri M. Effect of topical marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) on atopic dermatitis in children:A pilot double-blind active-controlled clinical trial of an in-silico-analyzed phytomedicine.Phytother Res. 2021;35(3):1389-1398. doi: 0.1002/ptr.6899
Mount Sinai Hospital.Marshmallow information.
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