Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is the root of the plant Althaea officinalis, which is native to the regions of Europe and Western Asia. More commonly, the plant can be found growing in places like, wet or damp areas, marshes and meadows. Marshmallow plant is a member of the genus, Althaea and the family, Malvaceae . The genus Althaea contains around 6 to 12 species of perennial herbs. This plant is mainly known for its medicinal uses. The roots, leaves and even the flowers of this plant have been used for treating various diseases for a long time. Usually, marshmallow tea is prepared by steeping about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried root of this plant in a cup of boiled water. This herbal tea is strained after steeping for about half an hour. You can slightly warm the tea again to use it for gargling or as a wash for minor cuts and burns. You can also drink this tea to get relief from stomach problems.

Benefits of Drinking Marshmallow Tea

Root of this plant contains many essential vitamins along with some active compounds such as, vitamin A, C, pectin, soluble fiber and mucilage. The herb owns most of its therapeutic properties to these nutrients and active compounds. In the herbal medicine, marshmallow and its root has been used for a plethora of health conditions including, mouth and throat ulcers, respiratory disorders, sore throat and digestive ailments.

• It is used to relieve common digestive problems like, diarrhea, indigestion, peptic ulcers, heartburn and acid reflux disease, as well as inflammatory conditions like, Crohn's disease, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. The root of marshmallow contains pectin and soluble fiber, both of which are known to be beneficial for a healthy digestive system.
• The compound mucilage found in the roots of this plant can soothe the membranes of the body, and help the body to expel excess mucus. For this reason, its roots have been an age-old remedy for conditions like, cough, whooping cough, and laryngitis. It can provide relief from asthma as well.
• It also contains salicylic acid, which can help to reduce pain, especially headache and muscle pain.
• Marshmallow swells up when mixed with fluid, due to which it can give a feeling of fullness in the stomach, when taken internally. This in turn, can reduce the cravings for food and promote weight loss.
• It has diuretic properties, for which it can increase the flow of urine. Thus it can help to excrete the excess fluid from the body.
• Its root can be used for bladder infection, kidney stones, inflammation of the urethra and cystitis. This herb can soothe the urinary tract and improve the functions of the kidney.
• External or topical use of the root in the form of poultice can provide relief from skin conditions like, eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, dry skin and minor cuts and wounds. It can soothe skin irritation and reduce inflammation.
• It can also be used for sore gums associated with baby teething.

Marshmallow Root Side Effects

No serious side effects of marshmallow and its roots have been identified till now. It has also not been found to interact with other drugs and medications. But, it is presumed that this herbal extract can lower the absorption of medications and supplements, as it contains compounds that coat the lining of the digestive tract. To overcome this problem, marshmallow needs to be taken a few hours before and after taking any kind of medication. Its extract may lower the level of blood sugar. But people taking blood sugar lowering medications should always consult their physicians before taking this herbal extract.

It can also lower the amount of stomach acid and adversely affect digestion, especially if you are suffering from a condition, known as hypochlorhydria. This medical condition is characterized by the production of low or no gastric acid in the stomach. Apart from these, some people, can experience allergic reactions after taking this herbal medicine. Such allergic reaction is quite rare, but if it occurs, then one can experience itching, hives or skin rash, unusual swelling, tightness in the chest and breathing difficulty. Usually people allergic to any plants of the Malvaceae family like, cotton, hibiscus, okra, are at a greater risk of developing allergic reaction to marshmallow.

To sum up, this plant and its root is beneficial for a number of health conditions, right from localized skin infections like, boils, burns and sores to inflammatory skin conditions, respiratory problems and digestive ailments. However, it is always advisable to consult your physician or health care provider before taking any herb or herbal medicine including, the root of marshmallow, in order to know the possible side effects, drug interaction and various other aspects of the herb.