Althaea officinalis
Parts used: Root and leaf
Marshmallow is an erect perennial herb, reaching a height of up to 150cm, with stalked, three- to five-lobed pale green velvety leaves densely clothed with stellate grey hairs. The leaves and roots of Marshmallow are the parts used for medicinal purposes. Marshmallow preparations are recognized for their ability to soothe and soften irritated tissue, particularly mucous membranes, and to loosen a cough. It also mildly stimulates the immune system. It has been recommended in the health conditions like asthma, bronchitis, common cold/sore throat, cough, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers, weight loss aid, wound healing, etc. It is a very useful household medicinal herb. It’s soothing demulcent properties make it very effective in treating inflammations and irritations of the mucous membranes such as the alimentary canal, the urinary and the respiratory organs. The root counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis. It is also applied externally to bruises, sprains, aching muscles, insect bites, skin inflammations, splinters, etc.
The whole plant, but especially the root, is antitussive, demulcent, diuretic, highly emollient, slightly laxative and odontalgic. Marshmallow root is used primarily for digestive problems and topically on the skin, whilst the leaf is used particularly to treat the lungs and the urinary system, although both root and leaf have similar properties. The root is indicated in all inflammations of the digestive tract including mouth ulcers, hiatus hernia, gastritis, peptic ulcer, enteritis and colitis. Marshmallow contains large amounts of mucilage, making it an excellent demulcent which coats the gastrointestinal mucosa, particularly in the mouth and pharynx, thus protecting them from local irritation, and it counters excess stomach acid. It is also mildly laxative. Some lab experiments have shown that it has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Antimicrobial activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus has been documented. The leaf is an effective treatment for bronchitis, respiratory catarrh and irritating coughs. Its demulcent action helps to relieve dry coughs, bronchial asthma and pleurisy and soothes sore throats.
References:
Purple Sage Botanicals. http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/marshmallow.htm
Plants for a Future Database. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Althaea+officinalis&CAN=COMIND
University of Maryland Medical Center. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/marshmallow-000265.htm
