Marshmallow

• What other names is Marshmallow known by?
• What is Marshmallow?
• How does Marshmallow work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for Marshmallow.

What other names is Marshmallow known by?

Altea, Alteia, Althaea officinalis, Althaea taurinensis, Althaeae Folium, Althaeae Radi, Althea, Althée, Guimauve, Guimauve Officinale, Gulkhairo, Herba Malvae, Mallards, Malvavisco, Marsh Maillo, Mauve Blanche, Mortification Root, Racine de Guimauve, Sweet Weed, Wymote.

What is Marshmallow?

Marshmallow is a plant. The leaves and the root are used to make medicine. Don't confuse marshmallow with the mallow (Malva sylvestris) flower and leaf.

Marshmallow leaf and root are used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. They are also used for dry cough, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, constipation, urinary tract inflammation, and stones in the urinary tract.

People sometimes apply marshmallow leaf and root directly to the skin for pockets of infection (abscesses) and skin ulcers; and as a poultice for skin inflammation or burns, and for other wounds.

Marshmallow leaf is used topically as a poultice for insect bites.

Marshmallow root is applied to the skin as an ingredient in ointments for chapped skin as well as for pain and swelling of the feet and hands due to exposure to the cold (chilblains).

In foods, marshmallow leaf and root are used as a flavoring agent.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Cough caused by ACE inhibitors. Medications used for high blood pressure called ACE inhibitors can sometimes cause coughing as a side effect. Early research suggests that taking marshmallow root by mouth for 4 weeks can reduce cough caused by ACE inhibitors. Some examples of ACE-inhibitors include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).
• Skin infection caused by parasites (Leishmania lesions). Early research suggests that applying a combination of marshmallow and hollyhock extracts to affected skin for 5 days can help improve Leishmania lesions.
• Sores.
• Skin inflammation.
• Burns.
• Wounds.
• Insect bites.
• Chapped skin.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Stomach and intestinal ulcers.
• Irritation of the mouth and throat.
• Dry cough.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of marshmallow for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).