Marshmallow root
Althaea officinalis
Herbs & Roots. Western & European.
Also called Marsh mallow, Mallow root, Common marshmallow
Spanish: Malvavisco
A soft, slippery root used to soothe sore throats and irritated stomachs.
Did you know? Early marshmallow candies were made from the sticky sap of this plant's root, whipped with sugar, before gelatin replaced it.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Sore throat & cough. Used to soothe sore throats and dry coughs. Mostly tradition, with only a few small studies.Traditional proof
- Digestion & gut health. Its slippery coat may calm stomach and bowel irritation. Human proof is thin.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
European herbalists have used it for sore throats, dry coughs, and stomach irritation for centuries. It is a classic demulcent, meaning it soothes and coats.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Demulcent, Vulnerary, Expectorant. Energy: cooling.
How people take it
Cold-water infusion: steep about 1 to 2 teaspoons of root in cool water overnight, then strain and drink up to three times a day. Hot tea is also used.
Tea, syrup and tincture.
Where to get it
Grows in wet meadows and marshes across Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and is also farmed. Sold as dried root, tea, syrups, and lozenges.
Be careful
Very gentle. Its coating can slow the absorption of other pills, so take other medicines at least 1 to 2 hours before or after it. People with diabetes should check blood sugar, since its effect on blood sugar is not well studied.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are soothing gel herbs used together in throat teas and lozenges.
- Works well together
Both are soothing herbs used together in cough teas and syrups.
- Works well together
Both are soothing herbs used in cough teas and syrups.
- Works well together
A common pairing in throat lozenges and soothing teas.
- Works well together
A soothing, slippery herb often used with cough herbs.
- Works well together
Both are soothing, slippery herbs for coughs and sore throats.
- Works well together
Soothing herbs often combined for dry coughs and sore throats.
- Works well together
Marshmallow soothes the throat and is often added to cough mixes with other herbs.
- Worth knowingDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Its effect on blood sugar is not well studied. Check blood sugar if you take diabetes drugs.
Found in these formulas
Chest & breath tea (Western)
The honest take
Marshmallow root is a gentle, food-like herb that most people tolerate well. Its soothing effect is likely real, because its slippery coat physically covers irritated tissue, but few trials test it. Its health claims are mostly tradition.