Marshmallow’s familiar slippery, smooth texture has many medicinal purposes, in addition to its role in baking and treat making. It is a demulcent, agent that coats and protects mucosal surfaces. The active components in marshmallows are large carbohydrate molecules that form marshmallow’s characteristic texture when mixed with fluid.

Top Health Benefits of Marshmallow

In the respiratory tract, this herb decreases coughs, speeds the removal of mucus and helps to heal the tract. In the stomach and intestines, mallow protects the lining from ulceration. Marshmallow also soothes the urinary tract and helps the skin to heal. Natural health practitioners recommend this herb for a variety of needs including sore throat, colds, coughs, bladder infections, digestive ulcers, burns, and wounds.

Marshmallow Supplement Varieties

This herb can be found in a variety of different forms. Dried root, powdered root, and encapsulated root are available. It is often used as a tea or drink. Topically it can be mixed with water and applied directly to the skin or onto a poultice. This herb is found in formulas for cold or cough relief, urinary tract health, and ulcers. Commercial preparations contain this herb for the texture, and large quantities of sugar, for the taste. Plain marshmallow root is not sweet tasting, as you might expect it to be.

Side Effects & Important Considerations

Marshmallows may alter blood sugar levels by reducing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestine. Therefore diabetics, hypoglycemic individuals and people using medication to regulate sugar levels should use marshmallow root with caution. This herb may also inhibit the absorption of other medications or supplements if they are taken at the same time.