Marshmallow Root Herb Profile

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Herb Profile- Marshmallow Root Uses and Benefits
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Marshmallow Root Herb Profile

Marshmallow Root is an herb that has been around for centuries. In fact, it was mentioned in Homer’s Iliad (written 2800 years ago). It was used in ancient Greek and Indian cultures for its healing properties.

Benefits of Marshmallow Root

Mountain Rose Herbs details some of the many  uses:

Marshmallow root has long been used as a food, particularly during times of famine when it is more abundant than other vegetables. Medicinally, it has been approved by the German Commission E in supporting inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and for irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. When combined with other herbs, it is additionally used for mild respiratory symptoms, including cough. The root is traditionally used to support a healthy digestive system, but this application has not been clinically studied.

It is a demulcent herb, meaning that it is cooling, soothing and slippery. It is often used to sooth digestion, skin or hair. It is unique in that when making a tea with Marshmallow Root, you will want to brew it with cold water to preserve the mucilaginous properties. This explains:

Marshmallow works as a mucilage, producing a thick sticky substance that coats membranes. Marshmallow extract contains flavanoids, which contain anti-inflammatory properties. The flavanoids are able to reduce inflammation while the mucilage holds them in place and prevents further damage. The extracts also induce phagocytosis, which is the process in which certain cells engulf bacteria, dead cell tissues or other solid particles. This helps speed up the healing process. The mucilage remains unaltered until it reaches the colon, which is why marshmallow works well on most inflammatory digestive disorders.

Marshmallow root has not been specifically studies in pregnancy and nursing so consult a doctor or midwife before using this or any other product if you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition.

Uses of Marshmallow Root

Some ways that we use it:

  • As a soothing tea during colds, flu or sore throats.
  • For digestive problems like heartburn, stomach illness or occasional digestive troubles. I usually mix with peppermint leaf or ginger to make a soothing tea.
  • On skin– It makes a great addition to lotions, salves and tinctures for the skin. Also good for eczema and soothing sunburn.
  • In hair– I use the dried root in my homemade detangling hair spray (great for kids).
  • Urinary problems– I’ve used Marshmallow Root tea at the first sign of urinary or bladder infection to help speed healing.
  • Homemade Marshmallows– We use a tea made from the dried root in our homemade marshmallow recipe. It is option but adds extra flavor and a health boost.

Where to Get Marshmallow Root

Soothing Marshmallow Tea Recipe:

The easiest way to try Marshmallow root is in a cooling and soothing tea. This one is my favorite:

Herb Profile- Marshmallow Root Uses and Benefits

Marshmallow Root Tea Recipe

A simple and cooling Marshmallow Root tea to improve digestion
Author Katie Wells

Servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the herbs and water in a pint size mason jar and put on the lid.
  • Shake gently and put in refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
  • Strain and drink cool.

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Ever used marshmallow root? What did you use it for? Share below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

86 responses to “Marshmallow Root Herb Profile”

  1. Giles T Avatar

    Hi great post and comments. Do you know if this will help with stomach / peptic ulcers? If so what’s the best treatment… Tea or tablets?

  2. Janey Danes Avatar
    Janey Danes

    5 stars
    I like drinking it warm. I think it’s more effective in treating sore throat than a cold marshmallow root tea.

  3. cristina Avatar

    Can i make a tea from capsules and use it for the marshmallows and would it b boiled or cold fusion

  4. Stephanie Davis Avatar
    Stephanie Davis

    I ordered from MRH. I steeped the Marshmallow Root in cool water for about 4 to 5 hours, then heated in a microwave. I know that’s a no no but, I like hot tea. Is this ok? Or is there a better way?

  5. Catelyn Olivares Avatar
    Catelyn Olivares

    I noticed that a few of you also purchased a Marshmallow plant but don’t know how to properly harvest the root. Well I guess I’m joining the club! I just bought a plant and it fairly large by I don’t know how to harvest the root properly without killing the plant. Katie, could you please help us out with this? Thanks!

    1. Franchesca Avatar
      Franchesca

      following 🙂 My marshmallow plant has just bloomed flowers and I’m so anxious to use it before the winter comes.

  6. Mary Avatar

    I used to use this for UTI’s…does this also work for yeast infections? Is it safe during pregnancy? Thanks!

  7. Tabitha Avatar

    I feel like I discoverer gold in my back yard. I ordered organic marshmallow root for the detangle spray but didn’t realize it was so valuable internally. Thank you.

  8. Sonia Avatar

    There are no ingredients showing in the tea recipe…is that because it is just the marshmallow root herb + water? Or is it an error? Love your website. Thanks.

  9. Ginger Avatar

    I heard that Slippery Elm and Marshmallow Root are beneficial for healing the gut. What do you know about Slippery Elm that you can share with us? Thanks for a GREAT blog!

  10. Carol Avatar

    I’ve just planted some marshmallow. Can’t wait till it matures so I can try using it. Thanks for your post.

  11. Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama Avatar
    Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama

    My midwife told me you can take Marshmallow Root to increase the fat in your breastmilk (not the volume) for those mamas who need a little more oomph. Just wanted to pass that along 🙂

  12. Deepa Avatar

    Hi Katie,

    Can you share how we can use the marshmallow root for eczema/dry skin. My 3 year old has mild eczema and I want to wean her off of Cetaphil, which is the only cream that worked on her. I tried organic, unrefined coconut oil and Shea butter separately but they did not work at all.

    I have just begun to going natural at home and your website is so wonderful for beginners like me.

    Keep up the good work.

      1. Mai Avatar

        Hello Katie,

        Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this. My daughter has severe eczema and going to the dermatologist for the last 5 years has not happened. Could you please elaborate on what the measuring mix is for this?

        Thank you,
        Mai

        1. Vicky Hite Avatar
          Vicky Hite

          I also had this bad. I shut down all processed foods and started drinking kefir milk and it changed my life

      2. Krissie Avatar
        Krissie

        I’m making an organic colloidal oatmeal bath soak. How much marshmallow root tea would you recommend I use to blend with the oatmeal. Assuming you can blend it with the oatmeal. This is for a 3 year old.

        Thanks

  13. Grandma Avatar

    Thank you, Katie, for all the great work you do! Marshmallow is indeed a great herb for heartburn, but peppermint should not be used in cases of heartburn. Peppermint is very useful for upset stomachs due to other issues, but peppermint loosens the esophageal sphincter and allows stomach acid to reflux up into the esophagus, exacerbating heartburn. If someone is dealing with reflux, it is imperative to avoid peppermint or anything with peppermint oil in it.

    1. Jess Avatar

      Oo! Thanks for that info about peppermint and heartburn. I’ve been using peppermint and ginger more or less interchangeably for any stomach disturbance, and noticed that *both* can make heartburn worse under the right circumstances, but I’m glad to know peppermint actually has that loosening effect on the sphincter.

    2. Lisa Avatar

      I was wondering how much tea to make. I’ve been making a cup a day. If I made a quart would it be best to refrigerate or keep it at room temp?
      Thanks

  14. Alyssa Avatar

    Hi Katie! I wanted to mention that I have a great experience with marshmallow root tea! I had to have my tonsils removed a month ago and I got some herbal tea that had marshmallow root in it to drink post-op. My recovery was phenomenal and I shocked my doctors and nurses because I had minimal pain and I healed very quickly compared to the normal recovery of patients post tonsillectomy! I drank that tea constantly and I know it helped my recovery!

    1. Wendy Avatar

      Hello Alyssa,
      I’m in my 60th decade and am considering tonsillectomy. I’m encouraged by your report that drinking marshmallow tea helped speed your recovery. Did you drink the marshmallow tea warmed/heated or cold or at room temperature? Do you have any other tips for recovery? I wonder your age..i.e. decade of life when you had this surgery? Thank you.

      1. fiona Avatar

        60th decade! Wow thats pretty impressive. There’s not that many who live to be 600!

  15. Cindy Avatar

    Is the extract just as effective for heartburn as the tea? I also noticed on your link for tea bags, they suggest brewing in hot water. Please clarify between hot and cold. Thank you

    1. Katie - Wellness Mama Avatar

      You can brew hot or cold and both will be effective but cold brewing will have more noticeable short term effects. I find the leaf/tea more effective than the extract but both help

      1. Jen Avatar

        Hi!

        Is it best to drink this tea on an empty stomach or before or after a meal? I read on an herbalist site it was best taken away from medications as it may affect absorbency. Was wondering about food in that matter?

  16. Asia Hamilton Avatar
    Asia Hamilton

    Thank you for that info. I bought the marshmallow extract in liquid form. Does that work the same way for respiratory and digestive issues?

  17. Charlotte Avatar
    Charlotte

    Hi Katie wat home remedy do u have for dandruff problem and for healthy hair growth

    1. Sherrie Avatar

      I’m not Katie (So I hope its ok I answered the question) but after reading your question I just wanted to say for 2 years all I wash my hair with is bi carbonate of soda mixed with water ..we call it in Australia bi-carb..its amazing ..I have long very thick hair just use about a teaspoon mixed in about half a cup of water and just use like you would shampoo..in my 53 years of life best thing I’ve ever used to wash my hair ..its so silky soft and healthy..and no dandruff either its brilliant and super cheap and no toxic chemicals either..
      Kind regards Sherrie from Simpleliving …

  18. Tarah Avatar

    I am curious, why is it called Marshmallow root? It existed before our modern puffy candy called marshmallow was invented, so maybe we named the candy after the root if they taste similar?

    1. Valerie Avatar

      Also, if you add hot water to it and let it sit, it gets a gel consistency to it, especially when increasing the amount of marshmallow root/decreasing the amount of water. Would probably work with warm water too.

  19. Lee Avatar

    I am curious how you use marshmallow root for bladder infections. Do you make a tea and drink it? If so how much?

    Tx, I love your Blog by the way. Lots of great info.

  20. Angela Green Avatar
    Angela Green

    Hi Katie. I am so thankful for you sharing all your knowledge with all of us viewers. You’ve helped me make a lot of changes along the way. I started growing marshmallow last year but I’m unsure on how to harvest the roots without killing the plant. Can you help with that? Thank you.

    1. Bertie Avatar

      Hi Katie,

      Can you use Marshmallow Root tincture in place of dried in your Probiotic Marshmallow Recipe and if so how much would you use.

      Thanks,

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