Marshmallow Herbarium
Latin name: Althea officinalis
Family: Malvaceae
Common Names: Mallards
Descriptive Characteristics: This perennial get 3 feet high. The flower looks white with red in the middle. It can have between 3 and 5 lobes. The leaves are velvety. Oddly, it likes salty soil. Like buchu, this doesn't grow in the wild in quantities enough for medicinal use so it has to be cultivated. That makes me wonder how many people actually grow this herb in their garden or if people rely solely on herbal growers.
Part of the Plant Used: The root is most potent but the leaves are the most common for medicinal use. Probably because of the above mentioned growing issues.
Texture: feels like small bits of debris.
Color: whitish
Aroma: faint
Flavor: sweetish
Constituents: Mucilage polysaccharides - 5-10% in the root but less in the leaf.
Root: Mucilage (polysaccharides); pectin, asparagine, tannins (Hoffman, 2003)
Leaf: Mucilage (low-molecular weight D-glucan); flavonoids (Kaempferol, quercetin, diosmetin glucosides); scopoletin (a coumarin); polyphenolic acids (syringic, caffeic, salicylic, vanillic, p-coumaric). (Hoffman, 2003)
“The root of marshmallow is particularly rich in mucilage, pectin, asparagine, sugars, tannin, lime, calcium, and cellulose. The flowers contain some mucilage, essential oil, sugars, and asparagine. The mucilage and asparagine are responsible for the demulcent and emollient actions. The mucilage also absorbs toxins and harmful micro-organisms in the system.” (Class Lesson Herb 502)
Therapeutic Actions: demulcent, diuretic, emollient, galactagogue, nutritive, and vulnerary; topically it’s an emollient. Hoffman adds expectorant.
Indications:
Irritation of the mouth and throat, dry cough (Weiss and Fintelmann, 2000). Mills and Bones (2010), on page 505, state other uses are for gastritis, peptic ulceration, upper respiratory inflammation, and cystitis. The mucilage in the marshmallow help with all these.
Burns, Inflammation, Swollen joints and Muscles: Prepare a poultice of the powdered root. Mix with slippery elm Ulmus rubra to increase effectiveness.
Constipation: Use the cold extract or infusion.
Coughs, Lung tonic, Sore throat: Use the decoction or prepare a syrup. A decoction of the flowers can be gargled for a sore throat.
Diarrhea: Use the powdered root in boiled milk.
Inflamed eyes: Bathe with the infusion prepared from the leaves and flowers.
Kidney and Bladder Tonic: Use the infusion or fluid extract.
Hot flushes and Promoting milk supply: Use the infusion or decoction or the root.
Stings (bee and wasp): Remove sting and rub with freshly bruised leaves.
Hoffman says the root is good for the digestive system and the leaf is good for the urinary system and lungs. Included in the digestive system are inflammations of the mouth, gastritis, peptic ulcerations, and colitis. Leaf is indicated for cystitis, urethritis, and urinary gravel, respiratory for bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, and irritating cough.
Formulatory: This must be prepared cold because if you do it hot, you'll get the starch from the leaves as well. The mucilage lubes the intestines and help move the blockage along.
Cold Extract of Marshmallow Root: Use two to four tablespoons three to four times a day (It can be warmed before using). 1-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis root (fresh), 3-pt water. Soak the root for half an hour in a little water. Peel off the bark and then chop up the root. Place roots and water in a bowl and leave to steep for 8-10 hours, or until the mucilage is extracted. Strain the liquid through muslin, squeezing the root to extract all the mucilage. Bottle and keep in a cool place.
Cough Ease Syrup: Use one tablespoon every two to three hours or one teaspoon every two to three hours for children. 2-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis, 2-oz thyme Thymus vulgaris, Honey to sweeten, 2-pt water. Simmer herbs slowly in the water until the liquid is reduced to one pint. Strain into a measuring jug and note how much liquid you have. Return the liquid to a clean saucepan and add one cup of honey for each cup of liquid. Return to the heat and simmer slowly until the liquid thickens, about 5-10 minutes. Cool, bottle, and refrigerate.
Eyewash: Make a fresh infusion for each use. Do not store. 1-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis, ¼-oz raspberry Rubus idaeus leaves, ¼-oz eyebright Euphrasia officinalis herb. Prepare a standard infusion using one teaspoon of the herb blend to one cup of water. Cover the infusion and leave to steep until cool. Next, strain the infusion carefully through a double layer of muslin. Strain again if necessary, using clean muslin. It is very important to remove all of the remaining herbs. Use an eye bath or sterile cotton pad and bathe the eyes three to four times during the day and once before bed. Use a fresh piece of cotton pad for each eye—never use the same one on both eyes.
Petersen (2018, p. 118)
Cough Syrup I: 1 oz Horehound, 1 oz licorice, 1 oz elecampane, ½ oz hyssop, ½ oz marshmallow, honey to taste, 1 drop to 1 pint fluid of peppermint essential oil. Prepare a decoction with all herbs except horehound. Strain and pour over horehound. Steep 10-15 minutes. Strain and measure. For each c of fluid, add 1 c honey. Simmer until thickened. Cool and add peppermint. Bottle and store. Use 2-4t as required every 1-2 hours.
Dosage (adult):
Ulbricht (2010, p. 494) mentions that 2g of marshmallow in 1 cup of cold water soaked for 2 hours and gargled can be used for oral irritation though science has yet to confirm this.
Mills and Bones (2010, 505)
Cold extract: 6-15 g/day of dried leaf
1:2 extract of leaf: 3-6 ml/day
1:5 liquid extract of root (glycerol water mixture)-3-6 ml/day
Class Lesson Herb 502 Adult: All doses three to four times a day unless stated otherwise:
Cold extract: 2-T to 4-T
Decoction: 2-T to 4-T
Fluid extract: 2-ml to 5-ml
Infusion: 4-T to 6-T
Poultice: Apply as necessary
Hoffman (2003)
1:5 25% Tincture: 1-4ml 3/day
Cold infusion: 2-4g to 1c cold water
BHC
Dried herb/cold infusion: 2-5g
Tincture: 5-15ml
BPC
Syrup: 2-10ml
Commission E
Root: 6g
Leaf: 5g
American Botanical Council
Leaf: Unless otherwise prescribed: 5 g per day of cut leaf.
Infusion: 1-2 g in 150 ml boiled water, two to three times daily.
Cold maceration: 1-2 g in 150 ml cold water for 60 minutes stirring occasionally; strain and warm before drinking, two to three times daily.
1:1 Fluid extract (g/ml): 1-2 ml, two to three times daily.
1:5 Tincture (g/ml): 5-10 ml, two to three times daily.
Root: Unless otherwise prescribed: 6 g per day of cut or ground root.
Cold maceration: 2-5 g in 150 ml cold water for 30 minutes stirring frequently; strain and warm before drinking, up to three times daily.
Dried root: 2-5 g, up to three times daily.
1:1 Fluid extract (g/ml): 2-5 ml, up to three times daily.
1:5 Tincture (g/ml): 10-25 ml, up to three times daily.
Native dry extract 3.5-5.0:1 (w/w): 0.4-0.6 g, up to three times daily.
Native soft extract 2.3-3.2:1 (w/w): 0.6-0.9 g, up to three times daily.
Syrupus Althaeae: Single dose: 10 ml, to be used only in treating throat irritation.
Note: Marshmallow syrup: diabetics need to allow for sugar concentration.
Safety: May delay absorption of other drugs when taken at the same time.
Lab:
Cold Extract of Marshmallow Root for Constipation
1/3-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis root
1-pt water
Preparation:
Soak the root for half an hour in a little water.
Peel off the bark and then chop up the root.
Place roots and water in a bowl and leave to steep for 8-10 hours, or until the mucilage is extracted.
Strain the liquid through muslin, squeezing the root to extract all the mucilage.
Bottle and keep in a cool place.
Oral use: Use two to four tablespoons three to four times a day (It can be warmed before using).
I followed the directions however I didn't notice any bark on my roots. Due to my children keeping me busy, my herbs steeped much longer: 16 hours. I strained the liquid then squeezed the mucilage and was amazed to discover how oily the liquid was that squeezed out of the herbs.
On 11 January 2019, I started a tincture of 1:5 25% but the herb was so fluffy I doubled it to 1:10. I used 40% alcohol I used 100ml of alcohol and 60ml of distilled water. I strained this tincture on 31 January. It was REALLY thick. Even straining through 1 layer of my flour towel, I only got 25ml of yield and the herbs were still wet.
Research:
This herb has been used since the 9th century BCE. The American Botanical Council stated there is not clinical studies on this herb but the longevity of its use speak volumes to its effectiveness. In Herbal Healing for Children, Clark (2011) says marshmallow root is one ingredient to use in a salve to heal eczema (86). She also has a list on page 65 where she has a chart of herbs that should be kept on hand to use as a first aid kit. Marshmallow is listed for treating rashes in general.
In addition to checking in the above book, I also looked in Clark (2015). While I was unable to breastfeed, a friend was and she often calls me to consult my books on “this or that”. One interesting thing I learned is this herb can help if you are feeding and develop a blocked milk duct! I know my friend encountered this problem early in her breastfeeding days but she never had me look this one up, she just used a warm compress, which is also on the list of remedies. This book also says marshmallow root can be used for carpal tunnel, constipation, vaginal tears and episiotomies, and urinary incontinence.
References
American Botanical Council. Retrieved from http://cms.herbalgram.org/healthyingredients/Marshmallow.html
Clark, D. (2015). Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies for Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding. Book Publishing Company. P 153-4.
Clark, D. (2011). Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent's Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses. Healthy Living Publications.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. P. 526-7
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. 59, 505-506.
Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-based Guide. Mosby, Inc. Elsevier, Inc. 494.
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000). Herbal Medicine. Theime. 186-187, 364, 384, 399, 408.
Family: Malvaceae
Common Names: Mallards
Descriptive Characteristics: This perennial get 3 feet high. The flower looks white with red in the middle. It can have between 3 and 5 lobes. The leaves are velvety. Oddly, it likes salty soil. Like buchu, this doesn't grow in the wild in quantities enough for medicinal use so it has to be cultivated. That makes me wonder how many people actually grow this herb in their garden or if people rely solely on herbal growers.
Part of the Plant Used: The root is most potent but the leaves are the most common for medicinal use. Probably because of the above mentioned growing issues.
Texture: feels like small bits of debris.
Color: whitish
Aroma: faint
Flavor: sweetish
Constituents: Mucilage polysaccharides - 5-10% in the root but less in the leaf.
Root: Mucilage (polysaccharides); pectin, asparagine, tannins (Hoffman, 2003)
Leaf: Mucilage (low-molecular weight D-glucan); flavonoids (Kaempferol, quercetin, diosmetin glucosides); scopoletin (a coumarin); polyphenolic acids (syringic, caffeic, salicylic, vanillic, p-coumaric). (Hoffman, 2003)
“The root of marshmallow is particularly rich in mucilage, pectin, asparagine, sugars, tannin, lime, calcium, and cellulose. The flowers contain some mucilage, essential oil, sugars, and asparagine. The mucilage and asparagine are responsible for the demulcent and emollient actions. The mucilage also absorbs toxins and harmful micro-organisms in the system.” (Class Lesson Herb 502)
Therapeutic Actions: demulcent, diuretic, emollient, galactagogue, nutritive, and vulnerary; topically it’s an emollient. Hoffman adds expectorant.
Indications:
Irritation of the mouth and throat, dry cough (Weiss and Fintelmann, 2000). Mills and Bones (2010), on page 505, state other uses are for gastritis, peptic ulceration, upper respiratory inflammation, and cystitis. The mucilage in the marshmallow help with all these.
Burns, Inflammation, Swollen joints and Muscles: Prepare a poultice of the powdered root. Mix with slippery elm Ulmus rubra to increase effectiveness.
Constipation: Use the cold extract or infusion.
Coughs, Lung tonic, Sore throat: Use the decoction or prepare a syrup. A decoction of the flowers can be gargled for a sore throat.
Diarrhea: Use the powdered root in boiled milk.
Inflamed eyes: Bathe with the infusion prepared from the leaves and flowers.
Kidney and Bladder Tonic: Use the infusion or fluid extract.
Hot flushes and Promoting milk supply: Use the infusion or decoction or the root.
Stings (bee and wasp): Remove sting and rub with freshly bruised leaves.
Hoffman says the root is good for the digestive system and the leaf is good for the urinary system and lungs. Included in the digestive system are inflammations of the mouth, gastritis, peptic ulcerations, and colitis. Leaf is indicated for cystitis, urethritis, and urinary gravel, respiratory for bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, and irritating cough.
Formulatory: This must be prepared cold because if you do it hot, you'll get the starch from the leaves as well. The mucilage lubes the intestines and help move the blockage along.
Cold Extract of Marshmallow Root: Use two to four tablespoons three to four times a day (It can be warmed before using). 1-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis root (fresh), 3-pt water. Soak the root for half an hour in a little water. Peel off the bark and then chop up the root. Place roots and water in a bowl and leave to steep for 8-10 hours, or until the mucilage is extracted. Strain the liquid through muslin, squeezing the root to extract all the mucilage. Bottle and keep in a cool place.
Cough Ease Syrup: Use one tablespoon every two to three hours or one teaspoon every two to three hours for children. 2-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis, 2-oz thyme Thymus vulgaris, Honey to sweeten, 2-pt water. Simmer herbs slowly in the water until the liquid is reduced to one pint. Strain into a measuring jug and note how much liquid you have. Return the liquid to a clean saucepan and add one cup of honey for each cup of liquid. Return to the heat and simmer slowly until the liquid thickens, about 5-10 minutes. Cool, bottle, and refrigerate.
Eyewash: Make a fresh infusion for each use. Do not store. 1-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis, ¼-oz raspberry Rubus idaeus leaves, ¼-oz eyebright Euphrasia officinalis herb. Prepare a standard infusion using one teaspoon of the herb blend to one cup of water. Cover the infusion and leave to steep until cool. Next, strain the infusion carefully through a double layer of muslin. Strain again if necessary, using clean muslin. It is very important to remove all of the remaining herbs. Use an eye bath or sterile cotton pad and bathe the eyes three to four times during the day and once before bed. Use a fresh piece of cotton pad for each eye—never use the same one on both eyes.
Petersen (2018, p. 118)
Cough Syrup I: 1 oz Horehound, 1 oz licorice, 1 oz elecampane, ½ oz hyssop, ½ oz marshmallow, honey to taste, 1 drop to 1 pint fluid of peppermint essential oil. Prepare a decoction with all herbs except horehound. Strain and pour over horehound. Steep 10-15 minutes. Strain and measure. For each c of fluid, add 1 c honey. Simmer until thickened. Cool and add peppermint. Bottle and store. Use 2-4t as required every 1-2 hours.
Dosage (adult):
Ulbricht (2010, p. 494) mentions that 2g of marshmallow in 1 cup of cold water soaked for 2 hours and gargled can be used for oral irritation though science has yet to confirm this.
Mills and Bones (2010, 505)
Cold extract: 6-15 g/day of dried leaf
1:2 extract of leaf: 3-6 ml/day
1:5 liquid extract of root (glycerol water mixture)-3-6 ml/day
Class Lesson Herb 502 Adult: All doses three to four times a day unless stated otherwise:
Cold extract: 2-T to 4-T
Decoction: 2-T to 4-T
Fluid extract: 2-ml to 5-ml
Infusion: 4-T to 6-T
Poultice: Apply as necessary
Hoffman (2003)
1:5 25% Tincture: 1-4ml 3/day
Cold infusion: 2-4g to 1c cold water
BHC
Dried herb/cold infusion: 2-5g
Tincture: 5-15ml
BPC
Syrup: 2-10ml
Commission E
Root: 6g
Leaf: 5g
American Botanical Council
Leaf: Unless otherwise prescribed: 5 g per day of cut leaf.
Infusion: 1-2 g in 150 ml boiled water, two to three times daily.
Cold maceration: 1-2 g in 150 ml cold water for 60 minutes stirring occasionally; strain and warm before drinking, two to three times daily.
1:1 Fluid extract (g/ml): 1-2 ml, two to three times daily.
1:5 Tincture (g/ml): 5-10 ml, two to three times daily.
Root: Unless otherwise prescribed: 6 g per day of cut or ground root.
Cold maceration: 2-5 g in 150 ml cold water for 30 minutes stirring frequently; strain and warm before drinking, up to three times daily.
Dried root: 2-5 g, up to three times daily.
1:1 Fluid extract (g/ml): 2-5 ml, up to three times daily.
1:5 Tincture (g/ml): 10-25 ml, up to three times daily.
Native dry extract 3.5-5.0:1 (w/w): 0.4-0.6 g, up to three times daily.
Native soft extract 2.3-3.2:1 (w/w): 0.6-0.9 g, up to three times daily.
Syrupus Althaeae: Single dose: 10 ml, to be used only in treating throat irritation.
Note: Marshmallow syrup: diabetics need to allow for sugar concentration.
Safety: May delay absorption of other drugs when taken at the same time.
Lab:
Cold Extract of Marshmallow Root for Constipation
1/3-oz marshmallow Althaea officinalis root
1-pt water
Preparation:
Soak the root for half an hour in a little water.
Peel off the bark and then chop up the root.
Place roots and water in a bowl and leave to steep for 8-10 hours, or until the mucilage is extracted.
Strain the liquid through muslin, squeezing the root to extract all the mucilage.
Bottle and keep in a cool place.
Oral use: Use two to four tablespoons three to four times a day (It can be warmed before using).
I followed the directions however I didn't notice any bark on my roots. Due to my children keeping me busy, my herbs steeped much longer: 16 hours. I strained the liquid then squeezed the mucilage and was amazed to discover how oily the liquid was that squeezed out of the herbs.
On 11 January 2019, I started a tincture of 1:5 25% but the herb was so fluffy I doubled it to 1:10. I used 40% alcohol I used 100ml of alcohol and 60ml of distilled water. I strained this tincture on 31 January. It was REALLY thick. Even straining through 1 layer of my flour towel, I only got 25ml of yield and the herbs were still wet.
Research:
This herb has been used since the 9th century BCE. The American Botanical Council stated there is not clinical studies on this herb but the longevity of its use speak volumes to its effectiveness. In Herbal Healing for Children, Clark (2011) says marshmallow root is one ingredient to use in a salve to heal eczema (86). She also has a list on page 65 where she has a chart of herbs that should be kept on hand to use as a first aid kit. Marshmallow is listed for treating rashes in general.
In addition to checking in the above book, I also looked in Clark (2015). While I was unable to breastfeed, a friend was and she often calls me to consult my books on “this or that”. One interesting thing I learned is this herb can help if you are feeding and develop a blocked milk duct! I know my friend encountered this problem early in her breastfeeding days but she never had me look this one up, she just used a warm compress, which is also on the list of remedies. This book also says marshmallow root can be used for carpal tunnel, constipation, vaginal tears and episiotomies, and urinary incontinence.
References
American Botanical Council. Retrieved from http://cms.herbalgram.org/healthyingredients/Marshmallow.html
Clark, D. (2015). Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies for Pregnancy, Birth, and Breastfeeding. Book Publishing Company. P 153-4.
Clark, D. (2011). Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent's Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses. Healthy Living Publications.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. P. 526-7
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. 59, 505-506.
Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-based Guide. Mosby, Inc. Elsevier, Inc. 494.
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000). Herbal Medicine. Theime. 186-187, 364, 384, 399, 408.
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