Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Althaea_officinalis#/media/File:Althaea_officinalis_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-008.jpg
Common name Marshmallow
Plant family Malvaceae
Parts used Leaves, roots and flowers (Grieve, 1971).
Constituents
Mucilage (polysaccharides) 5-10%, starch, pectin (Hechtman, 2011).
Actions
Dumulcent, emollient (Grieve, 1971). Vulnerary (Hechtman, 2011). Urinary demulcent (Bone, 2003)
Indications
Culpeper advised that the marshmallow root could be used to 'loosen the belly gently' indicating a mild laxative property, and recommended a poultice of the leaves, when "rubbed upon any place stung with bees, wasps, or the like, presently take away the pain, redness, and swelling that rise thereupon"(Culpeper, 1985).
Bone (Bone, 2003) indicates marshmallow for use in the treatment of cystitis and general urinary tract infection, and as a topical treatment for boils, varicose ulcers, bronchitis, irritations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, gastric and peptic ulcers, citing Schmidgall, Schnetz and Hensel's 2000 study on the bioadhesive effects of polysaccharides and polysaccharide-containing herbs- though the ability of marshmallow-derived polysaccaharides was shown to be moderate, and less than that of Calendula officinalis (Schmidgall, Schnetz & Hensel, 2000).
The mucilaginous, emollient, soothing and vulnerary qualities of Marshmallow make it suitable for soothing and healing post-partum perineal tears (Clark, 2005).
A 2010 in vitro study of the action of an extract of marshmallow showed that "aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from the roots of A. officinalis are effective stimulators of cell physiology of epithelial cells "stimulating keratinocytes' and fibroblasts' cellular activity and proliferation rate". Their researchers concluded that this evidence supports "the traditional use of Marshmallow preparations for treatment of irritated mucous membranes within tissue regeneration" (Deters et al., 2010).
Cautions/Contraindications
Mucilaginous herbs may slow or alter the absorption of some pharmaceuticals (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Animal research indicates that marshmallow may have hypoglycaemic effects making dose adjustments to diabetic medications necessary (Naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com, 2015).
The possible diuretic properties of marshmallow may reduce excretion and increase levels of Lithium (Naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com, 2015).
Animal research indicates that marshmallow may have hypoglycaemic effects making dose adjustments to diabetic medications necessary (Naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com, 2015).
The possible diuretic properties of marshmallow may reduce excretion and increase levels of Lithium (Naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com, 2015).
Combinations
Dosage
A leaf tea may be prepared with 2-5 grams of the dried herb, to be take three times a day (Rakel, 2012).
Root- 3-6 ml of 1:5 tincture or glycetract per day, or 20-40 ml of 1:5 tincture or glycetract per week (Bone, 2003).
Leaf- 3-6 ml of 1:2 liquid extract per day or 20-40 ml 1:2 liquid extract per week (Bone 2003).
Bone and Mills advise that if mucilaginous herbs such as marshmallow are given as powders, that patients be advised to drink them quickly before the mucilages swell into a mass that would be difficult to swallow (Bone & Mills, 2013).
References
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs. Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone.
Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2010). Herbs & natural supplements. Sydney: Elsevier Australia.
Clark, D. (2005). Herbs for Postpartum Perineum Care: Part Two. The Birthkit, (September), 4-11.
Culpeper, N. (1985). Culpeper's complete herbal. Omega.
Deters, A., Zippel, J., Hellenbrand, N., Pappai, D., Possemeyer, C., & Hensel, A. (2010). Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): Cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro. Journal Of Ethnopharmacology, 127(1), 62-69.
Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal. New York: Dover Publications.
Hechtman, L. (2011). Clinical naturopathic medicine. Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Australia.
Rakel, D. (2012). Integrative medicine (3rd ed.). Saunders.
Schmidgall, J., Schnetz, E., & Hensel, A. (2000). Evidence for Bioadhesive Effects of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Containing Herbs in an ex vivo Bioadhesion Assay on Buccal Membranes. Planta Med, 66(1), 48-53.
Rakel, D. (2012). Integrative medicine (3rd ed.). Saunders.
Schmidgall, J., Schnetz, E., & Hensel, A. (2000). Evidence for Bioadhesive Effects of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Containing Herbs in an ex vivo Bioadhesion Assay on Buccal Membranes. Planta Med, 66(1), 48-53.