Marshmallow -- not to be confused with the confection you roast over a campfire -- is a plant in the mallow family. Extracts from the root and leaves are used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes, including as a tea to alleviate coughs and digestive disorders. Limited clinical research supports the demulcent -- or soothing -- properties of marshmallow. Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that occurs naturally in food, is often recommended by natural healers for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Consult your doctor before using marshmallow tea or vitamin C.
Marshmallow Features
Marshmallow -- botanically known as Althaea officinalis and also called althea -- is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia; it presently thrives in the eastern part of the United States. Marshmallow, usually found in moist or wet soil, features velvety three-lobed leaves; the white, red or purple flowers resemble hollyhocks and bloom from July to September. Marshmallow has been used in herbal medicine since about the first century to treat wounds, sore throats, coughs and stomach ailments. Present-day herbalists are likely to prescribe marshmallow tea to treat inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, bronchitis, irritated skin and digestive upsets.
Constituents and Effects
Marshmallow root is composed of 25 to 35 percent mucilage, a gummy substance with documented soothing, coating and protective effects. A compound called asparagine is also found in marshmallow, along with flavonoids, sugars, tannins and the dietary fiber pectin. Drugs.com, which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers, credits marshmallow with antibacterial, cough suppressant, anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties.
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is needed for the production of collagen, essential in the formation of skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. It also plays a vital role in wound repair. University of Maryland Medical Center reports that low levels of this antioxidant vitamin have been associated with chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and vegetables, including marshmallow root.
Research
In a clinical placebo-controlled study published in 2007 in "Pakistan Journal of Nutrition," researchers studied the effectiveness of marshmallow in alleviating coughs associated with ACE inhibitors, drugs used to treat heart disease. They found that patients taking marshmallow for eight weeks experienced significant improvements in their coughs as compared to the control group, with some patients experiencing complete abolition of the cough. They concluded that marshmallow could have an important role in treating ACE inhibitor-induced coughs.
Usage and Considerations
You can make marshmallow tea by adding 2 to 5 tsp. of dried powdered marshmallow root to 5 oz. of hot -- not boiling -- water, and letting the mixture steep for 1 hour. You may drink 3 cups a day. Because marshmallow coats the lining of the stomach, it can interfere with the absorption of other herbs, medications and vitamins. If you also take vitamin C supplements, take them several hours before or after drinking marshmallow root tea. Consult your doctor before using marshmallow tea.
University of Maryland Medical Center advises vitamin C in a dosage of 250 to 500 mg twice a day to aid in healing, enhance immune function, and decrease inflammation. The Office of Dietary Supplements lists 2,000 mg as the upper safe level of vitamin C, and notes that excessive amounts can cause diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. Consult your doctor before taking supplementary vitamin C.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Marsh Mallow Information
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Marshmallow; UMMC Staff; March 2009
- "Pakistan Journal of Nutrition"; Effect of Althaea Officinalis on Cough Associated with ACE Inhibitors; Hamid Rouhi and Forouzan Ganji; 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid); UMMC Staff; June 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin C
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