With Autumn comes the steady work of gathering, drying, and storing the last gifts of the summer herbs. I switch my harvesting from flowers and leaves to preparing for roots. One of those roots is from the Althaea officinalis. Althaea is derived from classical Latin, althaea, marsh mallow from the stem of ancient Greek means, to heal, ultimately from the same Indo-European base as classical Latin meaning, to nourish; so our language reflects the healing properties of this generous plant. Marshmallow Root belongs to the Malvaceae family. Do you know my favorite species that belongs to the Malvaceae family in Hickory Heal Gardens? Roselle Hibiscus!
Marshmallow is native to Europe and Western Asia. Today Marshmallow can be found in the Eastern United States. Through the centuries, Marshmallow leaves and roots have proven to be helpful in countries worldwide for over 2000 years. Still to this day, Marshmallow is approved for use by the international government and medical organizations. In my research, I found fun historical facts of its use by the Egyptians and the French. The Egyptians made candy of marshmallow root and honey. The French druggist made a meringue of marshmallow roots, egg whites, and sugar to treat chest complaints. A few centuries later, in the 19th-century marshmallow root confections were produced for the public and no longer contained marshmallow root extract.
In other regions of the world A. officinalis, the leaf and root have been approved for irritation of the mouth and throat mucosa and associated dry cough. In addition, the roots were approved for soothing mild inflammation of the stomach lining and intestinal tract.
In the United States, marshmallow leaves and roots are used in herbal teas and in topical demulcent preparations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified Marshmallow flowers and roots as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) natural flavoring substances when used in the minimum quantity required to produce this intended effect.
I do appreciate Marshmallow root.
The root is high in calcium and is an excellent source of trace minerals, including chromium, iron, magnesium, and selenium (Pedersen, 2011).
Marshmallow has demulcent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and emollient actions (Hoffman, 2003). As an infusion or decoction, marshmallow’s mucilage relieves sore, dry throats by coating and cooling the irritated tissues with its slippery gel. In a pharmacological study, a mucilage polysaccharide extractive of marshmallow flowers demonstrated significantly higher antitussive activity than the non-narcotic drug dropropizine (frequently prescribed for cough treatment).
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study contained 60 patients diagnosed with acute pharyngitis. The patients were treated with an herbal tea that contained marshmallow root, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Fabaceae), slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra, Ulmaceae), and wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina, Rosaceae), among others. The tea was significantly superior to placebo and provided rapid, temporary relief of sore throat pain. This herbal tea formula reminds me of my Sore Throat Soother Tea recipe.
Marshmallow root also helps the gut by providing prebiotics to feed the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Who doesn’t need help with more prebiotics? Depending on the preparation, it is helpful for both diarrhea and constipation. For diarrhea, soak the powdered root in just a small amount of water for at least an hour and then drink the mucilaginous tea. The small amount of water used in this process will leave the rest of the powder capable of absorbing more water in the gut. Now, this may not be the most pleasant drink for some of you, but I know you can become accustomed to taking this mucilaginous tea in time. For constipation, a teaspoon of powder soaked in 8 ounces of water forms a fiber drink to help move gut contents out of the system.
While the above information on Decoctions and Infusions, an alcohol tincture has its benefits too. In the study, a Marshmallow Root tincture was found to have antibacterial activity against many periodontopathic bacteria. Ok, that is a big word. So what are periodontopathic bacteria? Per· i ·o·don·to·path·ic bacteria has been associated with oral disease, tooth loss and gum infections. Also, surprisingly, COPD. To find out more about Periodontopathic bacteria, check out PubMed.
Most recently, a 2011 report on the pharmacological activity of Althea officinalis concluded that the plant indicates significant pharmacological action in the cough, irritation of the throat, gastric inflammation, anti-tumor, antiviral, and immunostimulant. In addition, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, effects on mucociliary transport, adhesion of polysaccharides to buccal membranes, and cough reduction are reported (Shah et al., 2011). So many of the botanical studies are from international sources.
Another preclinical research that got my attention was the one in 2010 that showed possible potential hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-malarial actions. Of course, that’s far beyond just the use of marshmallow root for coughs, and sore throats have also been studied. Researchers tested aqueous extracts on epithelial cells and human dermal fibroblasts to evaluate the traditional use of marshmallow root for irritated mucosal tissue. The authors of the study concluded that “Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from the roots of A. officinalis are effective stimulators of cell physiology of epithelial cells which can prove the traditional use of Marshmallow preparations for the treatment of irritated mucous membranes within tissue regeneration.” Go back and read that again!
So is Marshmallow “safe”?
Marshmallow root is safe for children three years and over. A 2009 assessment of marshmallow root in the United Kingdom cited post-marketing surveillance of two studies on children using marshmallow root. It said that while the studies were not controlled or randomized, they “… are, however, considered sufficient to support the traditional use as a demulcent for the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal mucosa irritation and associated dry cough.” Yet some studies showed when the herb was taken at the same time with medication or supplement; the same product would be removed from the system faster.
I recommend that you read the Pubmed study of the Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): cellular internalization and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro.
Harvest Marshmallow Root.
In some countries, Marshmallow is considered an endangered plant, and harvesting the plant in the wild is prohibited. In the US, I would encourage you to cultivate the plant in your garden. Growing Marshmallow will allow you to learn the ways of the plant. Learn more of God’s intent for the plant’s presence in your life. Leaves of the Marshmallow can be harvested throughout the summer. The plant should have at least three years of growth before harvesting. The roots can be peeled or unpeeled, whole or cut, or dried for later use, which is my favorite way of keeping Marshmallow roots all year long.
You can grow Marshmallows!
Fall means harvesting roots and planting new Marshmallow Seeds! Marshmallow prefers full sun to part shade, rich, moist garden soil, and if poor drainage is a problem, no big deal. That would be us, Mississippi. Pick a spot that the Marshmallow root can grow freely and undisturbed for three years. Then amend the soil with compost. In a zone with mild winters, plant the marshmallow seeds directly into the garden bed during early fall. Place a stake or marker to be a reminder of the seed placement in the spring.
Here’s to tea time with you! Be Well! Be Blessed, Friends!
Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow? Job 6:6
References
Engels, Gayle. American Botanical
Pubmed
Herbal Academy
Cech, Richo. (2000). Making Plant Medicine
Hoffman, David
