Marshmallow as a dietary supplement
Marshmallow, derived from the Althaea officinalis plant, is a natural dietary supplement known for its proposed health benefits. Traditionally used since ancient times, it has been employed to alleviate various ailments, including coughs, sore throats, and digestive issues. The primary active components in marshmallow are large sugar molecules called mucilage, which are believed to soothe mucous membranes, contributing to its therapeutic applications. Common uses include managing symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, Crohn’s disease, and skin inflammation, as well as promoting overall skin health and urinary tract function.
Marshmallow can be consumed as a tea, in capsule form, or as an ointment applied to the skin. While regarded as safe for most people, caution is advised for those with diabetes due to potential blood sugar-lowering effects, and interactions with lithium have been noted. Though there is limited research supporting its effectiveness, anecdotal evidence and small studies suggest potential benefits, prompting continued interest in its use as a holistic health remedy.
Marshmallow as a dietary supplement
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used as a dietary supplement for specific health benefits.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Asthma, colds, cough, Crohn’s disease, skin inflammation, sore throat, ulcers, bronchitis, digestive issues, overall skin health, immune system booster, managing urinary health
Overview
The similarity in name between the herb marshmallow and the sweet treat is more than a coincidence. However, the modern sugar-puff ball no longer bears much relationship to the old-fashioned candy flavored with marshmallow herb.
Besides inspiring makers of campfire food, marshmallow has also been used medicinally since Ancient Greece. Hippocrates spoke of it as a treatment for bruises and blood loss, and subsequent Roman physicians recommended marshmallow for toothaches, insect bites, chilblains, and irritated skin. In medieval Europe, herbalists used marshmallow to soothe toothaches, coughs, sore throats, chapped skin, indigestion, and diarrhea.
Therapeutic Dosages
Marshmallow can be made into a soothing tea by steeping roots overnight in water and diluting to taste. This tea can be drunk as desired for symptomatic relief. Alternatively, one can take marshmallow in capsules (5 to 6 grams daily) or in tincture according to label directions. Marshmallow ointments can be applied directly to soothe inflamed or irritated skin.
Therapeutic Uses
Marshmallow contains large sugar molecules called mucilage, which are thought to exert a soothing effect on mucous membranes; this is the basis of most proposed uses of the herb. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can prove a treatment effective, and only a few of such studies of marshmallow have been reported. One pilot study in children found marshmallow equally effective for treating atopic dermatitis as hydrocortisone. Other small studies for other conditions have been undertaken, but more are necessary.
Based on its supposed soothing properties, tea or lozenges containing marshmallow tea are often recommended for asthma, bronchitis, cough, colds, and sore throat. Marshmallow taken as tea or in capsules is sometimes recommended for Crohn’s disease or ulcers, on the theory that mucilage might soothe the lining of the digestive tract. In this way, marshmallow is believed to be good for gut health and other digestive issues including heartburn, indigestion, and constipation. Marshmallow has several other perceived benefits, including as an antioxidant, pain reliever, and diuretic for kidney and bladder health, and may also have cardiac benefits. Marshmallow may also have immune-boosting properties. Finally, marshmallow ointment is sometimes recommended for irritated skin.
Safety Issues
Marshmallow is believed to be entirely safe. It is approved for use in foods, and its chemical makeup does not suggest any but benign effects. However, detailed safety studies have not been performed. One study suggests that marshmallow can slightly lower blood sugar levels. For this reason, people with diabetes should use caution when taking marshmallow. Studies also suggest marshmallow may interact with lithium, heightening levels in the body. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Bibliography
Amini, Fatemeh, et al. "The Efficacy of Complementary Treatment with Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.) on Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial." Explore, vol. 19, no. 6, 2023, pp. 813-819, doi:10.1016/j.explore.2023.04.005. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
"Althaea officinalis, Marshmallow." In The Western Herbal Tradition, by Graeme Tobyn, Alison Denham, and Margaret Whitelegg. New York: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2011.
"Marshmallow Information." Mount Sinai, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/marshmallow. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.
Tomoda, M., et al. "Hypoglycemic Activity of Twenty Plant Mucilages and Three Modified Products." Planta Medica, vol. 53, 1987, pp. 8-12.
Wilson, Debra Rose, and Emily Cronkleton. "Everything You Need to Know About Marshmallow Root." Healthline, 30 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/marshmallow-root#heart. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.