Marshmallow is ideal for relieving all inflammation. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antitussive, softening and emollient properties, this plant can act on inflammation of the respiratory, digestive, urinary and skin tracts. Latin name: Althaea officinalis L. Part of the plant: roots.

This article was updated on 08/02/2023
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In case of Constipation

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Borage, Pink, Worry, Dandelion, Mauve, Olivier, Bourdaine

In case of' Canker sore, stomatitis, gingivitis

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

Gargling

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Let it cool then use it as a gargle several times a day.

Plants often associated

Matricaria Chamomile, Clove, Pink, Officinal Sage, Thyme, Nettle, Mauve, Licorice

In case of Pruritus, Wound, Irritated skin, Stings

Recommended modes of use

In compress

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Allow to cool then soak a compress or clean cloth to apply to the affected areas.

In lotion

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Allow to cool then use it directly on the affected area.

Plants often associated

Matricaria Chamomile, Hibiscus, White broth, Mauve, Burdock

In case of Dry hair

Recommended modes of use

In lotion

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Allow to cool then use it directly on the affected area.

Plants often associated

Hibiscus, Shikakai

In case of Pharyngitis, Laryngitis, Sore throat

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Marjoram, Officinal Sage, Thyme, White broth, Mauve, Coltsfoot, Eucalyptus, Savory

In case of Colitis, Gastritis, Digestive disorders

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Marjoram, Pepper mint, Meadowsweet, Licorice, Savory, Sweet Mint

In case of Diarrhea

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Alchemilla, Cassis, Lemongrass, Officinal Sage, Red Vine, Oak, Blueberry, Marshmallow, Nettle, White broth, Savory, Fireweed

In case of' Angina, bronchitis, cough, ENT infection, tracheitis

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Thyme, Laurel, White broth, Mauve, Licorice, Coltsfoot, Eucalyptus

In case of' Abscess, Boil

Recommended modes of use

In compress

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Allow to cool then soak a compress or clean cloth to apply to the affected areas.

In lotion

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Allow to cool then use it directly on the affected area.

Plants often associated

White broth, Mauve, Burdock

In case of' Tooth abscess

Recommended modes of use

Gargling

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Let it cool then use it as a gargle several times a day.

Plants often associated

Burdock

In case of Cystitis, Urinary tract infection

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Cassis, Lemongrass, Juniper (Juniper), Goldenrod, Thyme, Quackgrass, Heather, Mauve, Bearberry, Savory

In case of' Digestive ulcer

Recommended modes of use

In infusion

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 L of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter the preparation. Drink 2 cups per day.

In decoction

Pour 30 g of dry roots into 1 L of cold water and leave to macerate for 2 hours. Heat over low heat without boiling (or until 50°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Filter the preparation. Drink 3 cups per day.

In cold maceration

Pour 10 g of dry roots into 1 liter of cold water. Leave to macerate for 10 hours. Filter the preparation and drink 2 cups per day.

Plants often associated

Matricaria Chamomile, Ginger, Marjoram, Meadowsweet, Licorice

Properties and active components

Properties

  • emollient
  • anti-inflammatory (flavonoids including hypolaetin-8-gentiobioside, scopoletol)
  • cough suppressant (mucilages in particular galacturonorhamnan)
  • immunostimulant
  • softener (mucilage)
  • anti-infectious

Active components

  • Mucilages: arabinogalactans, galacturonorhamnan
  • Starch
  • Coumarins: scopoletol
  • Flavonoids: hypolaetin-8-gentiobioside, tiliroside, isoscutellarein
  • Asparagine
  • Phenol acids
  • Tannins

Precautions for use

  • Seek medical advice in case of diabetes (high sugar concentration).
  • Due to the presence of mucilage, it is recommended to space out the consumption of Marshmallow infusion with meals and the taking of medicinal treatments or other dietary supplements.
  • Seek medical advice in the event of a cortisone-dependent pathology.

Botanical

Marshmallow belongs to the family of Malvaceae. It is a perennial herb up to 1.5 m high. Its stem bears velvety green-whitish leaves, lobed and toothed. Arranged in their armpits, pinkish-white flowers, 3 to 5 cm wide, bloom in summer. The fruits are achenes.

There thick root, swivel and pale yellow gray is harvested in the fall. Marshmallow “sticks” were used in folk medicine to relieve teething in babies. Marshmallow in confectionery reminds us of delicious childhood memories and it is thanks to the mucilages extracted from Marshmallow that it was originally made.

Native to Europe and Western Asia, Marshmallow is found in humid soils and meadows as well as in salty coastal lands. It is a plant that appreciates different regions as long as it finds sun and humidity there. Its ideal climate is a temperate climate which tends towards mediterranean climate. 

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Bibliography

Publication: Mahboubi, M. (2019). Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis L.) and Its Potency in the Treatment of Cough. Complementary Medicine Research, 27(3), 174-183. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503747

Publication: Al-Snafi, Ali. (2013). The Pharmaceutical importance of Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea: A review. International Journal of PharmTech Research. 5(3). 1378-1385. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ali_Al-Snafi/publication/285919150

Publication: SMA Shah, N. Akhtar, M. Akram, P. Akhtar Shah, T. Saeed, K. Ahmed and HM Asif (2011). Review Pharmacological activity of Althaea officinalis L. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 5(24), 5662-5666. https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/BD00EAD40178

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Website : EMA, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) (2016). Assessment report on Althaea officinalis L., radix. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-althaea-officinalis-l-radix_en.pdf

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