Marshmallow Root

Western Bulk Herbs – Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is used in modern herbal medicine to relieve sore throat, but it also relieves anal inflammation caused by severe diarrhea. The root is a powerful demulcent and is quite soothing to the digestive tract. Marshmallow root also has external use in relieving symptoms of varicose veins, ulcers, abscesses, and boils. Try pairing with comfrey for ulcers, and licorice and horehound when dealing with bronchitis.

Latin Name:
Althaea officinalis

Common Names:
Althaea root, mallow root, mallow root, mortification root, Schloss tea, sweet weed, Hock herb, Mallards, Guimauve, Mortification Plant, Wymote

Parts Used:
The dried root

Properties:
Anti-inflammatory, laxative, demulcent, emollient, diuretic, vulnerary

Traditional Uses:
Cold maceration (in wine), warm infusions, tincture, and extract or capsules.

Topical Uses / Applications:
The root can be used in a poultice to relieve varicose veins, abscesses and boils.

Culinary Uses:
Not used in cooking but history shows it was used as a food. Mediterranean peoples used the herb as a source of food in ancient times, particularly when other means of sustenance were scarce.

Folk Lore:
Pliny said: ‘Whosoever shall take a spoonful of the Mallows shall that day be free from all diseases that may come to him.’ All Mallows contain abundant mucilage, and the Arab physicians in early times used the leaves as a poultice to suppress inflammation.

Chemical Properties:
Mucilage (arabinogalactans and galacturonorhamnan), the amino acid asparagines, antioxidant flavonoids 8-hydroxyluteolin and 8-b-gentiobioside, coumarins, fats, kaempferol, phenolic acids, quercetin, sugars, tannins, and volatile oil.

Cautions:
GRAS: Generally Recognized as Safe. This herb can be safely consumed when used appropriately. It is speculated that Marshmallow root mucilage could interfere with the absorption of other medicines if taken at the same time. The excessive mucilage may also exaggerate the effect of the mucosal discharge.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.
The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.
A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)
Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.