Marshmallow, Althaea Officinalis

Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Cold, moist, relaxant

Taste: sweet, salty, bland

Family: Malvaceae

Medicinal parts: leaves, roots

Actions: demulcent, diuretic, expectorant,

anti-inflammatory, nutritive, emollient, vulnerary, antimicrobial

Affinities: mucous membranes; digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems

Notable constituents: flavonoids, phenolic acids, asparagine,pectin (root 11–35%), arabinogalactans,mucilage (root 5–35%, leaf 6–16%),

Medicinal applications 

• Urinary system 

  • Demulcent, diuretic and soothing marshmallow leaf has an affinity for the urinary system. It can be worked with to support the bladder and kidneys. Marshmallow leaf can be helpful for urethritis, urinary gravel, cystitis, kidney and urinary tract infections. 

• Digestive system

  • For the digestive system, it is preferred to work with the root of marshmallow. Marshmallow root is a wound healing herb (vulnerary) that works with endothelial cells, healing damaged inner tissue. It is demulcent, packed soothing polysaccharides. Marshmallow soothes irritation and inflammation of the bowel. Marshmallow root is indicated when there is too much acid, neutralizing the excess and creating a healthy flow of acid. Marshmallow is supportive for a multitude of stomach complaints, such as heartburn, gastritis, ulcers, reflux, IBS and digestive dryness. Alongside healing damage, reducing inflammation and soothing irritation, marshmallow root contains pectin and fibres that feed intestinal bacteria and help promote healthy elimination. For states of dryness, irritation and excess acid, marshmallow root is indicated. 

• Respiratory system

  • Marshmallow leaf is supportive for the respiratory system. Marshmallow has an affinity for mucous membranes, which can lubricate a dry state and help create more mucus for cases of thick unproductive phlegm. It soothes and moisturizes the lungs with its demulcent properties. Marshmallow leaf is a relaxing, moistening expectorant for an irritated, dry and inflamed respiratory system. It is indicated for dry coughs, bronchitis and respiratory catarrh. 

• Topical

  • Marshmallow is a vulnerary herb, helping stimulate cells to heal damaged tissue. It is anti-inflammatory, cooling and moistening as well as having infection fighting action.  It is emollient, soothing dry or chapped skin. This makes marshmallow effective for many topical applications, from wound care to dry skin. 

• Emotional

  • Marshmallow can be supportive on an emotional level. Consider working with marshmallow for times when you are sensitive and worn out or when you have built up emotional walls that could be softened. Marshmallow is supportive for dry, irritated states and these actions can be applied for emotional support. 

In practice:

• Marshmallow can be a suitable ally for people that run hot and dry, perhaps with dry patches of skin, a red tongue, dandruff and dry skin around the nails. Consider marshmallow for people that feel dehydrated but drink lots of water, the mucilage and mineral properties help with water adsorption. 

• There are two medicinal parts of marshmallow that are commonly worked with, the roots and the leafs. It is preferable to work with the leaves for respiratory and urinary ailments while the root is commonly worked with for the digestive system and skin. 

• Marshmallow is often worked with as a cold infusion, this method is great for extracting its mucilaginous properties. When making an infusion, it will become very viscous and it might be necessary to dilute. 

• One method for working with marshmallow root or leaf is to add a couple pinches into the bottom of your water bottle and drink it throughout the day.

• Marshmallow can be very bland and its viscous properties are not the most appetizing, try working with it in a blend. 

• When making a blend of tea that is very drying, consider adding moistening marshmallow for balance.  

• Marshmallow is suitable to add to a gut heal tea blend. 

• When treating ulcers, consider pairing calendula and marshmallow root for their vulnerary properties.

• When topically applying marshmallow to dry and chapped skin, consider adding soothing chamomile.  

• Marshmallow can be worked with in a bath for eczema. 

• Marshmallow is suitable to add into a homemade baby powder, it will help keep a baby's skin soft. 

• Marshmallow can be added to a powdered blend of herbs for treating bladder infections. Consider making a powdered herb blend with capsules, suitable herbs to mix with marshmallow could be golden seal, uva ursi and echinacea. 

• Marshmallow is a good replacement for slippery elm, because it is fast growing while elm is slow growing, making it a more ethical choice. 

Cautions: Be aware when drinking large amounts of marshmallow root while taking medication, it might impact the absorption rate. It is best to be moderate and wait an hour between drinking marshmallow and taking pharmaceuticals.

Friends: common mallow, slippery elm, licorice, cinnamon, linden, hibiscus, mullein

This is for research purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

Cited works

Gladstar, Rosemary. Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing, LLC, 2012. 

Groves, Maria Noël. Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care. Storey Publishing, 2016.

Hoffmann, David. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press, 1998. 

Swift, Katja, and Ryn Midura. “Marshmallow - Materia Medica Entry.” Accessed 25 May. 2025.  

Swift, Katja, and Ryn Midura. “Marshmallow - Althaea officinalis” Family Herbalist Course. https://online.commonwealthherbs.com/courses/take/materia-medica/lessons/2374093-marshmallow-althaea-officinalis Accessed 25 May. 2025. 

Wood, Matthew. Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification. North Atlantic Books, 2013.