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
- I order in bulk here by the pound.
- I’ve also ordered in capsule form for easy use.
- If you won’t use a whole pound, you can order teabags to use as tea or in the detangling spray recipe, marshmallow recipe or on skin.
- I’ve also ordered a pre-made herbal salve that contains marshmallow root and is is great for wound healing, skin irritation and more.
Soothing Marshmallow Tea Recipe:
The easiest way to try Marshmallow root is in a cooling and soothing tea. This one is my favorite:
Marshmallow Root Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP Marshmallow Root
- 1 tsp Peppermint Leaf optional- for taste
- 1 cup warm not boiling water
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!
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 🙂
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.
I brew a strong tea and mix with my sea salt spray to spray on skin. I also just posted an eczema bar recipe that is really helpful
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
I also had this bad. I shut down all processed foods and started drinking kefir milk and it changed my life
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
60th decade! Wow thats pretty impressive. There’s not that many who live to be 600!
A decade is 10 years Fiona
That’s what Fiona said….
60th makes her 600
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
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
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?
Thank you for that info. I bought the marshmallow extract in liquid form. Does that work the same way for respiratory and digestive issues?
Hi Katie wat home remedy do u have for dandruff problem and for healthy hair growth
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 …
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?
We named the candy after the root since it was originally used in making marshmallows before the days of high fructose corn syrup
is marshmallow is an cotton plant
Marshmallow is actually a member of the Hibiscus family
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.
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.
Yep, just as a tea every few hours until the infection clears
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.
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,