MARSHMALLOW ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS

MARSHMALLOW (Althaea officinalis L.) +++

Synonym:
A. taurinensis DC.

Activities (Marshmallow) :
Analgesic (f; BRU); Antibacterial (1; APA); Anticomplementary (1; PHR; PH2); Antidote (f; APA); Antiinflammatory (2; BGB; PHR; PH2); Antiirritant (2; KOM); Antilithic (f; CAN); Antiseptic (2; CAN); Antitussive (2; BGB; BIS; LAF); Chelator (1; PED); Collyrium (f; DEP); Decongestant (f; APA); Demulcent (1; APA; PIP; WAM); Deobstruent (f; TOM); Diuretic (1; APA; CAN; PED); Emollient (1; BGB; BRU; PIP); Expectorant (f; APA; CAN; KAP; PED; WO2); Hypoglycemic (1; APA; CAN; LAF; PH2); Immunostimulant (1; PHR; PH2; PIP; WAM); Laxative (1; DEP; PED); Litholytic (f; PED); Mucogenic (1; PED); Nephrotonic (f; WO2); Parasiticide (f; DEP); Pectoral (f; JFM); Phagocytotic (2; BGB; BIS; KOM; PH2); Suppurative (f; DEP); Tonic (f; PED); Vermifuge (1; PED); Vulnerary (f; BGB; PED).

Indications (Marshmallow) :
Abscess (f; PHR; PH2); Arthrosis (f; PED); Asthma (f; JFM, SKY); Bacteria (1; APA); Bite (f; DEP; PH2); Bronchosis (2; APA; PHR; PH2; WO2); Bruise (1; APA; DEP; WOI); Burn (1; APA; DEP; PHR; PH2; WO2); Cancer (f; TOM); Catarrh (1; BGB; CAN; PH2); Chafing (1; APA; SKY); Cholecystosis (1; PED); Chilblain (1; SKY); Cold (1; SKY); Colic (f; DEP; TOM); Colosis (1; BIS; BRU); Congestion (f; APA); Constipation (1; BRU; DEP; PED; PHR; PH2); Cough (2; APA; BRU; DEP; KOM; PIP; PH2); Cramp (1; BRU); Crohn’s Disease (1; SKY); Cystosis (1; APA; CAN; DEP; TOM); Dermatophyte (f; DEP); Dermatosis (1; BGB; BRU; DEP; SKY); Diabetes (1; APA; PHR); Diarrhea (1; APA; LMP; PHR; PH2; WAM); Dysentery (f; TOM); Dyspepsia (1; WAM); Dysuria (1; KAP; WAM); Eczema (1; BGB); Enterosis (2; CAN; DEP; JFM; KOM; PH2); Erysipelas (f; TOM); Furunculosis (1; BGB); Gastrosis (2; BIS; DEP; KOM; PH2; WAM); Gravel (1; DEP); Hemorrhoid (f; TOM); Hoarseness (f; WO2); Hyperglycemia (1; APA; CAN; LAF; PH2); IBD (1; BIS); IBS (1; BIS); Immunodepression (1; PHR; PH2; PIP; WAM); Inflammation (2; APA; BGB; PHR; PH2; TOM); Itch (1; BRU; DEP); Mucososis (1; APA; PH2); Nephrosis (1; APA; PED); Ophthalmia (f; DEP); Pain (1; BRU; DEP); Parasite (f; DEP); Pertussis (f; WO2); Pharyngosis (2; BRU; CAN; KOM; PH2); Proctosis (f; BIS; TOM); Respirosis (1; APA; BGB; TOM; WAM); Snakebite (f; KAP); Sore (1; CAN; PH2); Sore Throat (2; APA; PH2; SKY; WAM); Sprain (f; DEP; WO2); Stomatosis (2; APA; BRU; KOM; PH2; PIP); Stone (f; CAN; PED; TOM); Sunburn (1; APA); Tonsilosis (f; JFM); Toothache (f; APA; DEP); Ulcer (1; BGB; CAN); Urethrosis (f; CAN; PH2); UTI (f; WO2); Vaginosis (f; TOM); Varicosis (f; CAN); Water Retention (1; APA; CAN; PED); Worm (1; PED); Wound (1; APA).

Dosages (Marshmallow) :
1 tsp leaf/cup water (APA); 5 g leaf/day (KOM; PH2); 2–5 g leaf (1 tsp = 1.4 g) or in tea (BIS); 2–5 ml liquid leaf extract (PNC); 2–5 ml liquid leaf extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 5–6 g root 3 ×/day (SKY); 6 g root/day (KOM; PH2); 3–10 g root (1 tsp = 3 g) (BIS); 1–2 tsp root/cup water (APA); 2–5 g root, or in cold tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 10–15 g root/150 ml water/90 minutes, warm to drink (PH2); 2–5 g dry root/day (PED); 1/8–1/3 cup fresh root (PED); 10 g root syrup (APA); 2–8 ml root syrup (PNC); 2–5 ml liquid root extract (PNC); 2–5 ml liquid root extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 5–15 ml root tincture 3 ×/day (SKY); 2–10 ml althea syrup 3 ×/day (CAN); 6–8 g/200 cc sweet plant water (2 tbsp every 2 hours) (JFM); 20 g plant decoction in 1 liter water for tonsilitis (JFM).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Marshmallow) :
Class 1 (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Commission E reports absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed (AEH; PH2). High pectin/mucilage content may interfere with uptake of other pharmaceuticals, especially hypoglycemics (CAN; KOM). May interfere with existing hypoglycemic therapy (CAN). Safer than coffee in my book. Remote chance of gossypol. Volatile acids, oils, and tannins may irritate the urinary tract (PED). Antimicrobial activity against Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Mucilage can protect irritated mucous membranes and digestive, respiratory, and urinary tract as well as skin (SKY). Did not show antiedemic or antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan tests (CAN).