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. Adriane Avatar

    I’ve had quite a bit of experience with Mallow root this summer and wanted to share here in case it helps other readers save some money! There are many different varieties and all will produce the mucilaginous substance we can use in remedies as well as making real marshmallows. Not only that, but no matter where you live in the USA, the plant is a common weed and you can probably find it growing right in your backyard!

    I first because intrigued with the plant after learning that the root contains natural rennet and can be used in cheese making. I was determined to find this so called weed and experiment with a frugal cheese recipe. I found something similar in my backyard called Creeping Charlie but apparently it was not what I needed. My mom happened to grow it from seed and dug up a root for me to use. After seeing the plant in person, I was better able to identify it and found it growing wild at my community garden and outside of a gas station (of all places)! I’ve since spotted it growing all over the place (I live in Ohio).

    I’ve successfully used it in cheese making and just wanted to share that Common Mallow is easier to find than the article states and for those who can’t always afford to order all the great herbs Katie writes about, a little foraging might pay off!

  2. Teresa Avatar

    2 stars
    Dose it work with actual marshnellow root and not that powered form which may be made from other substances?

  3. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    Hi, i bought some marshmallow root capsules with the intention of adding them to a healing salve i am making, however i really dont jnow how much to add. Would you be willing to give me a suggestion for this. Maybe gow many capsules per ounce of other ingredients. Thank you.

  4. Bea Avatar

    Adding to the comment about using it for UTI’s, I got it as one of two or three herbs from a local homeopathic pharmacy to use to get rid of interstitial cystitis, and it worked. One of the others was slippery elm. After about 6 months, I only had a rare flare-up for another year or two, and took the herbs again for a few days to clear it up.

  5. Cara Avatar

    I have had terrible heartburn during the last trimester of my pregnancy and the tea was recommended to me. I know herbs during pregnancy can be tricky. Would this be ok to take? If so, how much?

  6. Kris Avatar

    I have food allergies which seem to give me stomach discomfort on a regular basis. I also have autoimmune such as arthritis and most likely leaky gut. Marshmallow root sounds like a great addition to my tea cabinet. If it helps stomach issues, overtime do you think consistent use will heal my gut so that eating certain foods won’t be a problem?

  7. victor Avatar

    So Im not quite understanding, is this better to take with cold or hot water?(to combat diarrhea and heal gut)
    I have the same question for slippery elm too, is it better with cold or hot water for results?(specifically combatting diarrhea)

  8. Elissa Gentry Avatar
    Elissa Gentry

    5 stars
    Hi! Thank you for all of this amazing info! I’m really wanting to make a copycat Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie Latte lotion. I have everything other than the marshmallow scent. I’m wondering if the fine Marshmallow Root powder will work. Does it smell like marshmallows at all? I’m thinking an extract otherwise.
    Thanks!

  9. Jenni Avatar

    Hello Katie!

    Love all things wellnessmama – thank you for your work!
    Can I give marshmallow tea to my 9 month old? She has a persistent cough and thought this might help her.

    Thank you!

  10. Lisa Avatar

    Is it ok to take marshmallow infusion (for cold and cough), if I have taken Advil / Tylenol for fever? Wanted to know if herbal remedies react with Allopathy medication in an undesirable way.

  11. Shelley L. Avatar
    Shelley L.

    Hi! I have read several posts re: Interstitial Cystiti, and the wonderful benefits Marshmallow Root provide. Any advise on pill or tea form?
    Thank You Very Much!!
    Shelley L.

    1. Velma Avatar

      I have Interstitial Cystitis also and have recently heard about marshmallow root. I just purchased the liquid marshmallow, Do you know if it will help my damaged bladder wall, or if the ground up root in a tea would work better?

  12. Vicky Hite Avatar
    Vicky Hite

    5 stars
    Question 1, can I make kombucha with marshmallow root tea or can I mix marshmallow root tea with other liquid drink like kombucha and still get same benifets?

      1. Vicky Hite Avatar
        Vicky Hite

        So your saying to brew the teas together instead of mixing finished product

  13. Tara Avatar

    Hi,
    Thank you for the marshmallow root tea information. I have been taking the MR capsules for ulcerative colitis. It has been amazing. But now I am pregnant and found an herbalist that told me to try the tea as it might not be as harsh. Thank you for this information!

    Do you know where to find the actual root by any chance?

  14. Kit Avatar

    Hi there,

    Ive been on the mend from chron”s disease and someone mentioned marshmellow tea to me. Ive fone the reaserch and it apears that tea containing both powder and the leaf is most benificial. My question is, ” Is there a tea i can buy that contains both the powder and the leaf or do i buy them both seperate? If the latter how much powder to leaf ratio?

  15. Peter Avatar

    Hi,
    Im new at this forum.
    I just purchased Marshmallow Root grounded into powder.
    I heard it can be used on sore throat
    my kid is 7 and I wonder if this would help and if she is not too young to drink it
    Could you please provide a recipe for a sore throat with this herb?

    thank you kindly

  16. Nicole Bjelica Avatar
    Nicole Bjelica

    Hi Katie- Thank you so much for your ever helpful blog! My mother in law who lives in Eastern Europe (where they often use herbal remedies) recommended Marshmallow Root tea for my baby’s bronchial/mucus problem. I was unable to find the tea at my local health food store, so I picked up the capsules. Any idea how to prepare the powder form? Each capsule contains 480mg of Marshmallow Root. Thank you in advance for all you share and do!!

    1. Katie - Wellness Mama Avatar

      You could probably just take the capsules. You could also dump in water and let sit for a few minutes and it should make the water somewhat smooth/gelled to use as a drink.

  17. Sue Erickson Avatar
    Sue Erickson

    Years ago I suffered from bladder infections. I was told about marshmallow root. This probably goes against what is suggested here, but I simmered the root for 10 minutes, then strained and chilled it. I drank a cup four times a day. After about two weeks, I passed a stone with no pain. It just scared me because I was bleeding. The flavor is similar to weak chamomile.

  18. McKenzie Avatar

    I’m also interested in trying this for my daughter. She’s had a cough for months now and we can’t get rid of it. Anyone know anything about this or osha root? And is the taste tolerable for children?

    1. Jina Avatar

      McKenzie: And those who have a cough. I had a chronic cough for 10+ years, specialist, drug etc nothing helped. I was told about Marshmallow root. It didn’t seem to work at first but I figured well I bought the darn thing I might as well finish it instead of wasting it. Well after two weeks into it my cough was down 50%. I am on my second bottle and my cough has been down 90%. I don’t know if this would be a cure but it has helped me soo very much. If you have a cough I would suggest buying a bottle. I wouldn’t know who has the best ingredient but I just bought it from my local health food store. Call around and try it or online.

  19. Sarah Avatar

    My 3 year old has had a dry cough at night for 3 weeks I have tried lots of things herbal & non herbal. I was recommended Marshmallow yesterday. I have purchased the capsules but just wondering how I can give it to him. Should I make a tea with it?

  20. Marc Avatar

    I saw on the Doctors that the root is useful for puffiness under the eyes. If so, how should it be made and safe application ?

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