Marshmallow Monograph
Althaea officinalis a.k.a. Common Marshmallow
Other Common Names - Althea, Mallards, Sweet Weed, Schloss Tea, Mortification Root
Family - Malvaceae
Siblings - Alcea rosea (hollyhock), Gossypium spp. (cotton), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese hibiscus), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra)
Parts Used - root, leaves, flowers
Botanical Description - A herbaceous perennial plant that can grow 2-6 ft. (.6-1.8 m) tall and 2.5-4 ft. (.75-1.2 m) wide. The long, thick, fibrous tap root has branching secondary roots and is typically whitish-yellow outside and white inside. Multiple erect, usually unbranched, stems originate from the root. Lower portions of stems are thick and woody while upper portions are pubescent with stellate grayish hairs giving them a velvety feel. The alternating leaves have short petioles and are ovate-cordate, entire to 3-5 lobed, irregularly serrated, pubescent with stellate hairs, and palmately venated. The inflorescences are axillary panicles or rare solitary flowers with short peduncles. The pale pink perfect perianths (flower) consists of an epicalyx of 6-9 linear to lanceolate sepal-like bracts, a calyx of 5 ovate sepals, and a corolla of 5 small obovate petals with notched apices. The androecium consists of numerous stamens in which the fused filaments create a tube around the styles and are topped with purplish-red, kidney-shaped, one-celled anthers. The gynoecium consists of numerous fused carpels that form a superior ovary and branches into numerous styles. Fruit is a pubescent schizocarp consisting of numerous smooth-sided pericarps with 1 seed each. (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9)
Habitat/Cultivation - A. officinalis is native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. It is also naturalized in the northeastern area of the United States. It is cultivated in USDA zones 3-9 and most temperate countries around the world.. In nature, you will find A. officinalis in salt water marshes, near the sea, near tidal rivers, in damp meadows and near ditches in moist, sandy soil.
If you are going to cultivate A. officinalis, seeds and root cuttings can be directly sown into the soil in autumn, in winter in cold frames and unheated greenhouses, or started indoors in spring before the last frost. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, sandy soil (but can grow in any type of soil), and should be sown about 2 ft. (.6 m) apart. Flowering typically occurs from July to September and seeds from August to October. A. officinalis is pollinated by bees and is attractive to butterflies and birds. Harvest leaves before they flower and roots after seeding (roots should be 2-5 years old). When harvesting roots, always leave a root cutting behind to regrow the plant. (4,8, 12, 13, 14)
Taste - The leaves and the roots are known to be sweet and mucilaginous. In my own experiences, the roots are also a bit earthy in flavor.
Energetic Properties - A. officinalis is known to be cooling, moistening and soothing.
Actions - Mucilaginous polysaccharide content in A. officinalis is responsible for demulcent, emollient, antitussive, and antispasmodic actions, as well as partially responsible for anti-inflammatory, (mild) immuno-modulant, vulnerary, and hypoglycemic actions. Also partially responsible for anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulant and hypoglycemic actions is scopoletin (coumarin) which is fully responsible for hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic actions. Pectin also plays a partial role in immuno-modulant and vulnarary actions. Flavonoids are fully responsible for antioxidant actions while one specific flavonoid (hypolaetin-8-glucoside) has been shown to be partially responsible for anti-inflammatory action. Two actions attributed to A. officinalis that do not currently have a specific constituent correlation are diuretic and antimicrobial.
I mention constituent correlations because they can have an effect on the type of preparation you use. For instance, research has shown better antimicrobial results with ethanol extracts than water infusions, so even if we are unsure which constituent is responsible for antibiotic action I am guessing it isn’t the polysaccharides. Something to keep in mind. The above actions were all collated from the entire reference list, with one or two exceptions.
Constituents - The constituents of A. officinalis are grouped as follows:
Mucilaginous polysaccharides (5-11.5%) - the following is taken directly from the European Medicines Agency’s final assessment report:
“consisting of the mixture of colloidally soluble polysaccharides (Franz, 1966), particularly of acid arabinanogalactans, galacturonic rhamnans, arabans and glucans acidic heteropolysaccharide (with a MW ca 30 000) containing D-galactose, L-rhamnose, D-glucuronic acid and D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratios of 1.2:1.0:1.0:1.0 (Capek et al., 1987) or in molar ratios 2:3:3:3 (Tomoda et al., 1977), L-arabinans (Capek et al., 1983); D-glucans (Capek et al., 1984). Dominant neutral mucilage component is (16)-α-D-glucan (Nosáľova et al., 1992, 1993). By partial acid hydrolysis of Althaea mucilage O (representative mucous polysaccharide isolated from the roots of Althaea officinalis L.) the following oligosaccharides were obtained: O-α-(D galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(12)-L-rhamnopyranose, O-β-(D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(13)-O-α-(D-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(12)-L-rhamnopyranose and hexasaccharide, nonasaccharide, dodecasaccharide composed of a repeating unit having the structure of the trisaccharide through position 4 of the D-galacturonic acid residue (Tomoda et al., 1980). Partial acid hydrolysis of heteropolysaccharide isolated from the mucilage of the marshmallow indicated that the polymer backbone is composed of (14)-linked D-galactopyranuronic acid and (12)-linked L-rhamnopyranose units in the ratio of 1:1. Each D-galacturonic unit carries a single β-D-glucopyranuronic residue linked to C-3, and each L-rhamnopyranose unit carries D-galactopyranose residues, mainly as non-reducing terminals linked to C-4 (Capek et al., 1987). In addition to reducing oligosaccharides, two other non-reducing oligosaccharides: α-D-galactopyranuronic acid, β-L-rhamnopyranose 1,2 ́:2,1 ́-dianhydride and 3-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-α-D-galactopyranuronic acid β-L-rhamnopyranose 1,2 ́:2,1 ́-dianhydride have been identified (Capek et al., 1988).
In hydrolysates of mucilages isolated from roots, leaves and flowers of Althaea officinalis L. and Malva silvestris L. ssp. mauritiana (L.) Thell., D-galactose, D- glucose, D-mannose, L-rhamnose, D-xylose, L-arabinose, D-galacturonic acid, and D-glucuronic acid were identified (Rosík et al., 1984).”
Flavonoids - tiliroside, kaempferol 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-glucoside, hypolaetin-8-glucoside, hypoletin-8-β-gentiobioside, astragalin, kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, hypolaetin-8-O-β-D-(2′′-O-sulfo)-glucopy-ranoside, 4′-O-methylhypolaetin-8-O-β-D-(2′′-O-sulfo)-glucopyranoside, 4′-O methylhypolaetin-8-O-β-D-(3′′-O- sulfo)-glucuronopyranoside, 4′-O-methylisoscutellarein- 8-O-β-D-(3′′-O-sulfo)-glucuronopyranoside, hypolaetin-8- O-β-D-(3′′-O-sulfo)-glucuronopyranoside (theograndin II), hypolaetin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1′′′→4′′)-β-D-glucuronopyra
noside, quercetin, kaempferol, hypolaetin 8-O-β-D-glucoside, isoscutellarein 4'-methyl ether 8-O-β-D-glucoside-2"-SO3K
Phenolic acids - caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, p-hydroxybenzoic, salicylic, syringic, p-hydroxyphenylacetic, vanillic acid, lauric, chlorogenic
Coumarins - scopoletin, 5,6-dihydroxycoumarin-5-dodecanoate- 6β-D-glucopyranoside, scopolin-6′-O-α-L-rhamno- pyranoside
Other - Pectin (11%), Starch (25-35%), Sugars (10%), Tannins, Sterols (β-sitosterol), Fat (1.7%), Amino acids, Volatile oils, Asparagine, Calcium oxalate, Glycine betain
(22,26,27)
Indications - Primarily A. officinalis is used for inflammatory conditions of the mouth, throat, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system and skin. This may include, but is not limited to, a dry cough, bronchitis, acid reflux, gastrointestinal ulcers, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, venous ulcers, catarrh (of all kinds), abscesses, burns and boils. It is the leaf that is mainly used for issues of the genitourinary and respiratory systems, while the root is mainly used for issues of the gastrointestinal system.
Safety/Contraindications - A. officinalis root has been classified as a Generally Recognized as Safe food in the U.S., and both leaf and root have no reported adverse effects when used internally or externally. However, all the sources cited agree that use of A. officinalis may interfere with absorption of medications and other herbs due to the mucilage. For this reason, A. officinalis should not be taken 1/2 hour to an hour before medications or herbal supplements. Do not use if you have a known sensitivity or allergy to A. officinalis or any of its constituents. (3, 10,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22)
Pregnancy - Most sources cite not enough research to make a determination with the exception of Mills & Bone who have deemed it safe. However, many sources also point out that no adverse effects has been recorded when using A. officinalis.
Lactation - Most sources cite not enough research to make a determination with the exception of Mills & Bone who have deemed it safe.However, many sources also point out that no adverse effects has been recorded when using A. officinalis. Some even note that using it topically has a galactogogue action.
Children - According to the European Medicines Agency, aqueous solutions should not be given to children under the age of 3 years old and ethanol solutions should not be given to children under the age of 18 years old. All other sources are divided on safety in reference to children. Best to not use without proper medical supervision.
Preparations and Dosage - A. officinalis is commonly prepared as a cold water infusion, hot water infusion, glycerite, tincture (1:5 ratio), extract (1:1, 1:2), and syrup. According to Dr. Tilgner, the best extract is a 1:2 with 30% alcohol made from fresh root in the fall. Dosages from various references were all fairly different so I tried to give the best average of what I could find. Dosages are not standardized across the profession, rather they are often the personal preference of individual herbalists based on experience.
Cold/Hot water infusion - 5 grams per 150 mL water 3-5X a day
1:5 Glycerite - 3-6 mL a day
1:5 Tincture - 3-10 mL up to 3X a day
1:2 Extract - 3 mL up to 4X a day
1:1 Extract - 2 mL 3X a day
Syrup - 10 mL as needed
Traditional Uses -
Traditionally, A. officinalis leaves and root have been used as both food and medicine throughout Europe, Asia and Egypt. Ancient Persians, Romans, Greek, Indians and Egyptians ate the roots as a common crop, while ancient Chinese mainly used it in formulas. The leaves were eaten in salads or sautéed by many cultures. Royal Egyptians also ate a confection of A. officinalis and honey (2000 BCE) which is similar to the French confection Pâté de Guimauve made from A. officinalis extract, egg whites and sugar. This confection eventually became the fluffy marshmallows we eat today.
As a medicine, A. officinalis has been used by many herbal systems including Western herbalism, Unani, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As far back as the 9th century BCE in Greece A. officinalis was used in teas and syrups to sooth a cough. Throughout the history of Western herbalism, A. officinalis has been used to address issues that need cooling, moistening and soothing energetics in relation to the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine only the root of A. officinalis (Yao Shu Kui) is used in medicinal formulas. Energetically it is cold, sweet and salty with an affinity to the lungs, heart, bladder and large intestine. Typically used by this system for Yin deficiency/Yang excess, and more specifically to stop coughing, ease inflammation, remove toxicity, facilitate urination, reduce edema, and clear accumulations. A typical dosage is 50-100 grams.
In Unami and Ayurveda A. officinalis is called Khatmi and they use the flower, seed, leaf and root.Unami energetics describe Khatmi as warm to moderately cold and wet or hot and wet. Within this system Khatmi flowers were used internally for cough, catarrh and congestion while they were used externally for burns. The seeds were used for bladder and kidney issues as well as UTIs. The leaves were used externally for poultices on wounds, boils, abscesses, and burns. The roots were used for cough, congestion, ulcers, hernias, and hemorrhoids. A typical dosage is 5-7 grams of whole herb. The Unani system also suggests pairing A. officinalis with honey, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Ayurvedic energetics describe Khatmi as sweet, cold, unctuous, slimy, and heavy. Khatme was typically used by Ayurveda to address inflammation in general (and burning painful urinary issues in particular), cough, rhinitis, diseases of the throat, gastroenteritis, and bleeding disorders with a malfunctioning liver. A typical dosage is 3-6 grams. It is noted that Khatmi is an ingredient in the important formula Gojihvada Kuatha Curna used for respiratory infections, cough and asthma.
As A. officinalis was not native to North America, but rather introduced with European colonization, I could find no traditional uses by indigenous people of America. If anyone has information otherwise I would certainly like to know about it.
Current Research -
Khalighi, N., Jabbari-Azad, F., Barzegar-Amini, M. et al. Impact of Althaea officinalis extract in patients with atopic eczema: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Clin Phytosci 7, 73 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-021-00306-z
This small scale double blind clinical trial shows that a preparation of A. officinalis is as effective as steroids, but without any side effects, in the treatment of atopic eczema in both men and women with an average age of 32. Due to the size of the trial further research may be needed.
Ghaidaa Raheem Lateef Al-Awsi et al The antibacterial activity of Althaea officinalis L. methanolic extract against some nosocomial pathogens in vitro and in vivo 2021 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 790 012013
This study used both in vitro and in vivo methodology to test the anti bacterial activity of A. officinalis extract against Klebsiella aerogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These are pathogens that usually originate in hospitals. The extract showed observable antibacterial activity in all tests performed. The authors of the paper suggest that the high flavonoid content of A. officinalis may be responsible for it’s antibacterial activity.
Negar Khalighi, Farahzad Jabbari-Azad, Maral Barzegar-Amini, Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari, Pouran Layegh, Roshanak Salari, Impact of Althaea officinalis extract in patients with atopic eczema: a double-blind randomized controlled trial, Clinical Phytoscience, 10.1186/s40816-021-00306-z, 7, 1, (2021).
This randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, and single-center clinical trial shows that an extract of A. officinalis is more effective than hydrocortisone in treating children, ages 3 years old and up, with atopic dermatitis. Due to the size of the trial (22 children) more studies may be needed.
Combination Suggestions - Combination #1 and #2 were inspired by a formulary collection gifted to me by a teacher (Dr. Sheila Kingbury), while combination #3 was inspired by a Gaia product called Reflux Relief.
#1 (for acute bronchitis) - Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme), Verbascum thapsus (Mullein), Marrubium vulgare (Horehound)
#2 (for urinary tract infections) - Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow), Zea mays (Corn silk), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
#3 (for acid reflux/ulcers) - Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow), Aloe vera (Aloe), Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
* In the sections for actions, indications and dosage I collated data from all references used.
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Disclaimer: The information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease