Althaea Officinalis

Althaea officinalis, commonly known as Marshmallow, is a medicinal herb that has been used for centuries for its soothing, healing, and skin-protective properties. It's best known for its soft, mucilaginous root, which has long been a remedy for sore throats, coughs, and digestive issues.

Common Names

• Marshmallow

• Marsh Mallow

• Marshmellow

• Common Marshmallow

Parts of the Plant Used

• Root (most commonly)

• Leaves

• Flowers

Taste and Smell

• Mildly sweet

• Nutritious

• Mucilaginous (gel-like when mixed with water)

Habitat & Growth

• Native to: North America, Europe, and parts of Asia

• Grows wild along roadsides, open spaces, and fields

• Prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade

• Perennial plant that blooms from May to November

• Grows up to 4 feet tall with heart-shaped leaves and soft hairs covering the plant

Fun Fact:
Its fruits are round and flat, earning it nicknames like cheese plant.

Traditional Herbal Uses

In herbal medicine:

• Used as a gargle for mouth and throat ulcers

• Believed to help with gastric and digestive ulcers

• Leaves and flowers are edible — added to salads, or cooked

• Applied externally as a skin treatment for wounds and inflammations

• Roots were chewed by teething children in the Middle Ages

• Root decoctions were made to lower fevers and blood pressure

• Seeds chewed to sweeten breath and calm nerves

Key Chemical Compounds

Marshmallow contains several active natural chemicals:

• Altheahexacosanyl lactone

• Altheacalamene

• Altheacoumarin glucoside

• Lauric acid

• Beta-sitosterol

• Lanosterol

• Asparagine

• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

• Flavonoids like Quercetin and Malvin

• Pectin

• Phenolic acids

• Salicylic acid

• Sucrose

These compounds are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and healing effects.

Medicinal Properties & Benefits

Marshmallow is:

• Demulcent (forms a soothing film over mucous membranes)

• Expectorant (helps expel mucus)

• Diuretic (increases urine flow)

• Emollient (softens and soothes skin)

• Antitussive (relieves cough)

• Analgesic (mild pain reliever)

• Slightly laxative

• Febrifuge (reduces fever)

• Odontalgic (relieves toothache)

Medicinal Uses

Internal Uses

• Soothes throat irritation, laryngitis, and bronchitis

• Treats coughs, respiratory problems, and dysentery

• Used for gastritis, enteritis, colitis, and peptic ulcers

• Relieves urinary tract issues like urethritis and kidney stones

• Increases breast milk flow

• Eases irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation

• Acts as a mild laxative (especially for children)

• Seeds used to sweeten breath and calm nerves

External Uses

• Applied as poultice or ointment for:

  • Burns

  • Ulcers

  • Abscesses

  • Varicose veins

  • Wounds and skin inflammations

• Used as a toothbrush (root) for teething babies

• Anti-inflammatory for swollen skin or injuries

Tea and Traditional Remedies

• Mallow or Hibiscus tea is widely used in traditional medicine:

  • To calm coughs and soothe throats

  • As an expectorant for clearing mucus

  • To treat gastric inflammation

  • As an enema for intestinal issues

Fun Fact:
Okra is a plant cousin of Marshmallow and also contains similar soothing mucilage.

Summary Table