BACKGROUND
Ingredient Type: Botanical
Also Known As: Althea officinalis, Common marshmallow, White mallow, Wymote
Marshmallow is a perennial plant native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. Most people know it as a sweet confection made from the plant’s root, but its leaves, flowers, and roots have also long been used in herbal medicine. It has been used traditionally to calm irritated mucous membranes, as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to help soothe sore throats in the Middle Ages.
Marshmallow is used in health supplements today to help soothe mucous membranes in the respiratory and digestive tracts and to promote a healthy urinary system.
MORE COMING SOON
In the meantime see the Penn State Hershey Health Information Library entry for marshmallow, the Michigan Medicine Health Library entry for marshmallow, the WebMD entry for marshmallow, or this European Medicines Agency monograph on Althaea officinalis for more information.
