Why Marshmallow Root?
For many years marshmallow plant has been used to relieve coughs, sore throats, and minor wounds. However it is also very useful as an immune booster and in reducing calcium kidney stones.
Biological Description
Marshmallow plant or
Althaea officinalis
is an upright perennial from family Malvaceae. The genus name of the
plant - Althaea - comes from Greek word that means ‘associated with
healing’. The name is given because of the special qualities of the
Mallows to soften and heal. More names of the Marshmallow: March Mallow
root, White Mallow root, Althea and Cheeses. Some others are Sweet Weed,
Mallards, Mauls, Mortification plant, Mortification Koot, Guimauve
(French), Schloss Tea (german), and Wymote.
The plant has a fleshy taproot. It is a perennial, thick and
long, whitish-yellow outside, white and fibrous within. The stem is
downy, generally die down in the autumn until the spring comes and it
puts out branches again. Velvety leaves are roundish, irregularly
toothed at the margin, and thick. They are soft on both sides, as have
covering of stellate hairs. Marshmallow flowers are smaller than common
Mallow flowers are, of a pale pink color (also paler than the Common
Mallow). They are in bloom during August and September. The whole plant
abounds with a mild mucilage (especially the root).
Growing
Marshmallow is a native of most countries of Europe (including
central Russia south) . To be specific, it is native to Britain and
occurs in most of the maritime counties in the south of England. The
plant now grows in the United States (from Massachusetts to Virginia)
and other countries as well.
The marshmallow plant can be found growing in salt marshes, in
damp, wet meadows, by the sides of ditches, by the sea and on the banks
of tidal rivers. So, it prefers moist in its growing.
It used to be cultivated always in gardens, thanks to its medicinal
qualities. It raises from seed, sown in spring; needs cutting and
offsets of the root.
Parts Used
The root and leaves of the plant are used medicinally. Flowers
can also be used. The root is used to a greater extent than the leaves,
as both fresh and dried leaves (that are used for the same conditions as
the root) are considered to be weaker.
Market
The whole and cut-and-sifted root and powder are available in
teas ("slimy" teas), capsules, and other formulations. Marshmallow root
is more popular in America, while the leaves – more in Europe. Peeled
root is considered of higher quality than root with the outer bark. The
root and leaves in form of the marshmallow syrups are also available.
Action
The root as well as the leaves contain mucilage – a mucus-like
substance that does not dissolve in water (mostly composed of
galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, galactose, arabinose and rhamnose).
The root contains 25 – 30 percent of this substance (the leaves – only
16%). Thank to this substance the plant can swell up and become slippery
when wet. It gives the root an ability to soothe irritated tissue,
particularly mucous membranes, and to loosen a cough.
Other active compound in the root are different
polysaccharides, L-rhamnose, D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid and
D-glucuronic, as well as highly branched L-arabifurranan and
trisaccharide. Also about 35 % of pectin, l-2% of asparagines, starch,
oil, sugar, phosphate of lime, glutinous matter and cellulose.
Marshmallow root has the following properties:
· It is astringent – has a binding effect
· Diuretic – it increases the secretion and flow of urine
· Lithotriptic - dissolves urinary calculi (stones)
· Emollient - soothes inflamed tissue, softens and protects the skin
· Demulcent - soothes damaged or inflamed surfaces
· Mucilant – the herb protects mucous membranes and inflamed tissues
· Tonic – it nourishes and refresh the entire body
· Galactogogue – Marshmallow promotes the flow of milk in breastfeeding mothers
· Laxative – it stimulates bowel movements
· Vulnerary – gives additional help in healing of wounds by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth
· Nutritive – assists in the process of assimilating food and nourishes the body
Health Benefits
Its abundance of mucilage makes Marshmallow an excellent
demulcent and emollient – these properties make it useful in
inflammation and irritation of the alimentary canal, and of the urinary
and respiratory organs. Decoctions of the plant (especially of the root)
are excellent in painful complaints of the urinary organs, exerting a
relaxing effect upon the passages. Powdered root boiled in milk is
recommended in hemorrhage from the urinary organs and in dysentery.
The decoctions are also effective in curing bruises, sprains or
any ache in the muscles, burns and inflammations. Good for any
localized irritations, abscesses, different injuries. Marshmallow helps
to minimize skin inflammatory processes, thus improving wound healing
processes.
Boiled in wine or milk, Marshmallow will relieve diseases of
the chest, it is a nice remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and
whooping-cough (in the form of syrups it is available and popular in
children treatment). It relieves local irritation and soothes irritated
mucous membranes in sore throat accompanied by dry cough; slows down
lung congestion in sore throat with dry cough, and relieve mild
inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Marshmallow mildly stimulates the immune system at cellular level.
Ointments of the root may help in case of varicose veins.
The usage of Marshmallow is helpful (though has not been
substantiated by human pharmalogical studies) in case of asthma, Crohn's
disease, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis and others.
It is recommended to use Marshmallow after consulting the
doctor, it is considered to be safe (there are no side effects
reported).
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of I'm Holistic, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experiences of I'm Holistic. I'm Holistic encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
