Marshmallow: A Surprising Ingredient for Detox, the Gut, Respiratory Health & More

By Nikki Lyn Pugh

Reading Time: 6 minutes

This article discusses emerging/ongoing science and research. It is intended for general informational purposes only. This content is unrelated to products offered by Organixx and does not contain any representations about the performance of such products.

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When you hear the word “marshmallow” you likely think of the sweet, fluffy concoction popular around campfires and used as a filling for candied yam casseroles at Thanksgiving. But in this article, we’re focusing on the benefits of the marshmallow plant (aka Althea officinalis or Althaea plant). This mucilage-producing perennial has provided powerful relief for digestive distress, respiratory infections, chronic inflammation, and more for hundreds (if not thousands) of years.

Marshmallow Plant vs. Marshmallows (the sugary treat): What’s the Difference?

homemade-sweet-square-marshmallows

Indeed, there was once a connection between the marshmallow plant and the confectionery. In antiquity, the squishy, sugary marshmallow was made from marshmallow plant root and honey. It was a treat that was consumed sparingly, and supposedly only by the upper class in Europe. It was also used as an effective throat soother, akin to our modern-day “cough drops.”

Nowadays, the gooey, puff-pillow variety of marshmallows we get at the grocery store is mostly developed in a lab with high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients that are too long to pronounce. In contrast, the marshmallow plant was created by Mother Nature and possesses a wide variety of medicinal qualities.   

The Althaea plant was first possibly cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and came into its own in Greece. Its popularity as a food source and medicinal eventually expanded to include Rome, where marshmallow leaves were enjoyed as a delicacy. Eventually, marshmallow was eaten and used medicinally across all of Europe

Where Marshmallow Plant Grows

althaea-officinalis-in-the-meadow-closeup

Marshmallow plants tend to prefer wet, marshy environments. However, like all mallow plants, they’re a relatively hardy variety that’s flexible in terms of where it can take root. All mallows are related to the hibiscus flower as well as cotton and okra.

It’s not uncommon to see marshmallow plants and other mallows growing along fence lines, in abandoned fields, in sidewalk cracks, and even popping up as a weed in your neighbors’ (or maybe even your own) lawn.

Althaea Officinalis Medicinal Uses: A Quick Overview

Before we zero in on some exciting and specific conditions and situations that marshmallow can help with, here’s a brief overview of multiple medicinal uses that Althea officinalis is known for:

dried-and-sliced-marshmallow-root-althea oficinalis
  • bruises
  • bleeding
  • as a mild laxative for constipation
  • for stomach aches
  • to help relieve heartburn
  • diarrhea
  • to soothe the intestines
  • to help clear up more serious gut-related issues, such as gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, and enteritis
  • for respiratory infection, such as bronchitis
  • soothing a sore throat
  • clearing up congestion
  • to help with “smoker’s cough”
  • soothing irritated, rashy skin
  • to help clean and heal cuts and other wounds
  • healing abscesses and boils
  • as an all-around antimicrobial
  • for general immune strengthening

Looking at this list, it’s easy to see why the ancient Greeks and Romans considered the Althaea plant an all-around healing tonic!

Marshmallow Leaves Are Excellent in Salads

marshmallow-leaf-salad

As an aside, marshmallow leaves are also a delightful addition to salads, as they contain many essential minerals such as iron, sodium, zinc, vitamin B, iodine, pantothenic acid, and more.

Experiment with the raw leaves and trade your ordinary salad greens like romaine or arugula for marshmallow leaves if you ever get the chance. You’ll be surprised by their refreshing, slightly sweet, nutty flavor.

Marshmallow Helps Your Body Detoxify in More Ways Than One

Marshmallow’s healing and detoxifying power for the gut, the respiratory tract, and other areas of the body, in large part, has to do with particular substances within both the root and leaf, which have a soothing effect on the body’s inner pathways.

Marshmallow Contains Mucilage

The roots of the marshmallow plant especially contain mucilage, which is a naturally gummy substance that doesn’t dissolve in water. When mucilage is released in the body, wherever it lands it will do its job of soothing, healing, and ultimately relaxing the tissues – whether that’s the inner tissues of the colon and stomach or the throat, esophagus, and lungs.

tea-of-marshmallow-root-herbal-medicine

Althea and Inflammation

Inflammatory reactions are, in reality, part of the way in which the body rids itself of toxins. When tissues stay irritated and inflamed for longer than is healthy to do the job, however, is when chronic inflammation occurs.

This state can have the opposite effect than what the body was originally intending and can actually produce an environment that invites more infection, pathogens, and, ultimately, disease [1].

The mucilage effect of the Althaea plant helps to lower inflammation in specific tissues. In addition, the antioxidants in the plant leaves themselves help to lower inflammation systemwide.

The end result is that the body can relax and begin to flush out toxins naturally. This occurs wherever toxins need to be released, whether this is in the form of:

  • harmful bacteria and other waste along the intestinal tract
  • phlegm from inside the respiratory tract
  • dead cells and other debris in the blood

Althea Officinalis Helps Suppress Coughs & Fight Deadly Bacteria

According to a 2007 study conducted at Comenius University in Slovakia in Eastern Europe, extracted polysaccharides from the Althaea officinalis leaf proved to be a stronger “antitussive” (cough suppressing) agent than most common drugs routinely given for cough or obtained over the counter [2].

couple-sick-at-home-on-the-sofa-coughing-sneezing

Furthermore, a 2017 report in the Journal of Natural Products found that extracts of marshmallow contained substances that inhibited the enzymatic growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The researchers from the 2017 study deduced that this element alone was a significant reason why marshmallow extract may have such a profound effect against respiratory conditions such as bronchitis.

Certain Plants Help the Body Detoxify Through the Gut-Liver-Brain Axis

Another way that certain plants and herbs can help with detoxifying and healing the body is through what they can do for the gut. The connection isn’t always clear, but recent research has clearly spelled out the direct link between a healthy balance of microbiota within the gut and the overall health of the liver, in particular. One way that new research is making this connection is by focusing on what is called the “gut-liver-brain axis [3].”

Here’s one way of thinking about this connection: if, for whatever reason, your digestive system cannot break down and assimilate all the nutrients from food that it needs, one of the results will be an overabundance of “foreign particulars” in your system as a whole.

This is part of what’s known as “leaky gut” (aka intestinal permeability) and is also a factor for higher risk for chronic inflammation, autoimmune, a higher toxic load, and disease in general [4].

Marshmallow for Helping Your Organs with a Detoxification & Gut-Healing Routine

Marshmallow is currently listed on the British Herbal Compendium for use in helping with gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, enteritis, and colitis [5].

A 2015 study conducted by researchers at the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran found that “herbal extract of officinalis L. can be a great candidate for the treatment of gram-positive infections and merits further studies [6].”

A comprehensive review of the Althaea plant conducted in 2017 emphasized not only the antimicrobial, gut-healing, and respiratory system soothing effects of the plant, but its immunomodulatory (regulating immune function) and anti-inflammatory characteristics as well [7].

These recent findings (and more) conclude that there are literally dozens of ways that the marshmallow plant can be your ally for general health, and for supporting your body’s natural detoxification system, in particular.

Organic Marshmallow Root is one of six key ingredients in Organixx Daily Detox powder.  


Organixx Cleanse & Detoxx is a two-step formula that provides a gentle yet powerful full-body detox using organic botanical ingredients. Naturally purge your body of toxins, chemicals, free radicals, heavy metals, waste, as well as bacteria, and pesticides. Easily cleanse your colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, and lymphatic system resulting in increased energy, and better digestion with more nutrient absorption, in addition to improved immunity, mental clarity, and overall health and wellbeing.

Organixx Cleanse & Detoxx
Nikki Lyn Pugh
Nikki Lyn Pugh, MFA, INHC is a natural health researcher and writer. She is also an integrative nutritional health coach specializing in autoimmune conditions, chronic stress, and energy medicine. She loves to inspire people to become empowered with their health through education and gentle guidance. Nikki lives and works in Cottonwood, AZ, with her bunny "Mr. Dot."

Article Summary

  • When you hear the word “marshmallow” you likely think of the sweet, fluffy confection. But there’s an actual marshmallow plant (aka Althea Officinalis or the Althaea plant) which has many noteworthy health benefits.

  • The marshmallow treat we’re familiar with today was originally made from marshmallow plant root and honey. It was also used as an effective throat soother, akin to our modern-day “cough drops.”

  • As a medicinal plant, marshmallow was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians. It spread to Greece and Rome and eventually was eaten and used medicinally across all of Europe.

  • Marshmallow’s healing and detoxifying power for the gut, respiratory tract, and other areas of the body is due to particular substances within both the root and leaf which have a soothing effect on the body’s inner pathways.

  • The roots of the marshmallow plant contain mucilage, which is a gummy substance that doesn’t dissolve in water. Mucilage soothes, heals, and relaxes tissues including the inner tissues of the colon, stomach, throat, esophagus, and lungs.

  • The mucilage effect of the Althaea plant helps to lower inflammation in specific tissues. The antioxidants in the plant leaves themselves also help to lower inflammation systemwide. The end result is that the body can relax and begin to flush out toxins naturally.

  • Organic Marshmallow Root is one of six key ingredients in new Organixx Daily Detox powder which contains 6 key superfood ingredients to support your body’s natural detox response system for improved immunity & health.

Comments

  1. It’s very interesting that I would just get this email from you, I am right now drinking Marshmallow root tea. I drink it every evening because it soothes my stomach. I have been trying to figure out if I may have low or high stomach acid and I’ve been feeling pretty miserable off and on throughout the day. This tea definitely helps at the end of the day for me.

    • Hi Susan, thank you for your question.

      Organic Marshmallow Root is not available in capsule form. It is, however, one of six key ingredients in our Daily Detox powder.

      All you would need to do is mix one scoop daily in 8-10 oz of hot or cold water or your favorite beverage.

      We hope this helps. Wishing you a lovely day!

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