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# A soft breath; Into the Root of Marshmallow
- URL: https://betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io/a-soft-breath-into-the-root-of-marshmallow/
- Published: 2026-11-02T15:45:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-02T15:45:32.000Z
- Author: student 514775

***Words from a medical herbalist on the medicinal qualities of Marshmallow root in soothing a dry cough.*** 

**Name:** *Althaea officinalis* L.

**Synonyms:** *Malva althaea* E.H.L.Krause, *Malva matitma* Salisb., *Malva officinalis* (L.) K.F.Schimp. & Spenn. 

**Family:** Malvaceae 

(*Althaea officinalis L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science*, 2019) 

**This article is for educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. Email** [**student514775@medical.com**](mailto:student514775@email.com) **to speak to me, a medical herbalist or look at /**[**nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist/**](http://nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) **to use herbs medicinally.** 

In the early spring, as the soil warms and life re-emerges after winter young marshmallow leaves begin to appear. In the summer, the soft velvet leaves are followed by delicate blooms on tall stems (Royal Horticultural Society, 2024) . 

Marshmallow was an anti-inflammatory herb in ancient Greek and Roman medicine and over 2000 years of recorded use in Europe, earned Marshmallow's reputation as a trusted healer with a rich tradition of global and historical use (Deni Bown & Royal Horticultural Society, 2003). 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--2-.png)

**Understanding a Dry Cough**

A cough is a reflex action that clears the airways. A productive cough brings up mucus and when it does not it is a dry cough (Peters, 2007). Dry coughs can be caused by short-term bacterial and viral infections. A dry cough caused by an infection should clear within 3 weeks. (Birrer et al., 2016).Irritable persistent coughing causes discomfort and stress on the vocal cords and throat, triggering a tickling sensation (Parker et al., 2023).

**Opening the medicine box…**

*Actions: Demulcent, Anti-tussive (prevent coughing), anti-inflammatory & vulnerary (healing skin) (McIntyre, 2019).* 

Marshmallow root is an anti-inflammatory and demulcent herb. It is rich in polysaccharides that when exposed to water produce large amounts of mucilage content (Zeinab Bahari et al., 2025) ; a thick gelatinous substance that coats the throat relieving symptoms of a dry cough whilst protecting mucosal linings (EMA, 2021). 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--3-.png)

Marshmallow root is often prepared as a cold water maceration by soaking the chopped root in water for up to 12 hours so the medicinal mucilage is extracted. The mucilage rich liquid is strained with a cheesecloth and often mixed with honey/ syrup for a soothing preparation (Bone & Mills, 2013). 

For something different, ‘Eat Weeds’ has a recipe for turning this herb into marshmallow confectionery (Harford, 2025). [https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/wild-marshmallow-vegan-recipe](https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/wild-marshmallow-vegan-recipe?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) 

**Marshmallow root lines the gastro-intestinal tract therefore delaying the absorption of medication. Leave a 1-2 hour gap between ingesting marshmallows and medications.* (McIntyre, 2019)*.** 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--5-.png)

This herb is a European wetland native. Despite growing well in the UK, little commercial marshmallow is grown here. It is a non-threatened wild species (Khela, 2026) however, it is illegal to harvest any root from the wild (The Theft Act 1968 (Section 4), 1968) and research shows a huge concern for pesticide contaminated wild crafted products, particularly those involving roots (Patrick J. Sullivan et al., 2005). 

Marshmallow is straight forward to grow from seed (*How to Grow Marsh Mallow Plant*, n.d.) and a growing guide is available at the gardeners world webpage - [https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/marshmallow-plant-althaea-officinalis/?srsltid=AU7gw4UudYEoQEpQWuspLGNl22909JkZWPFlgK7fh-XUW1JBrqD2571h](https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/marshmallow-plant-althaea-officinalis/?srsltid=AU7gw4UudYEoQEpQWuspLGNl22909JkZWPFlgK7fh-XUW1JBrqD2571h&ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) . 

There are reputable suppliers of marshmallow powder such as ‘Five Bee’s Farm’ at [https://www.fivebeesfarm.co.uk/marshmallow-root](https://www.fivebeesfarm.co.uk/marshmallow-root?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io).

Thanks for reading! If you want to learn more sign up for my newsletter or visit [Betonica.co.uk](http://betonica.co.uk/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io). 

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By Student 514775

Reference List

*Althaea officinalis L. | plants of the world online | kew science*. (2019). Plants of the World Online. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:558872-1

Birrer, R. B., O’connor, F. G., & Kane, S. F. (2016). *Musculoskeletal and sports medicine for the primary care practitioner* (3rd ed.). Crc Press, Taylor & Francis Group.

Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). *Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine* (2nd ed.). Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.

Deni Bown, & Royal Horticultural Society. (2003). *The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of herbs & their uses*. Dorling Kindersley.

EMA. (2021, November 3). *Althaeae radix - European Medicines Agency*. European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/althaeae-radix

Harford, R. (2025, November 5). *Wild marshmallow vegan recipe*. Robin Harford from Eatweeds. Http s://www.eatweeds.co.uk/wild-marshmallow-vegan-recipe

*How to grow marshmallow plant*. (n.d.). BBC Gardeners World Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/marshmallow-plant-althaea-officinalis/

Khela, S. (2026). *Althaea officinalis. The IUCN red list of threatened species 2013: E.T202921A2758027*. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202921/2758027

McIntyre, A. (2019). *The complete herbal tutor the definitive guide to the principles and practices of herbal medicine - second edition*. Aeon Books.

Parker, S. M., Smith, J. A., Birring, S. S., Chamberlain-Mitchell, S., Gruffydd-Jones, K., Haines, J., Hennessey, S., McGarvey, L. P., Marsden, P., Martin, M. J., Morice, A., O’Hara, J., & Thomas, M. (2023). British thoracic society clinical statement on chronic cough in adults. *Thorax*, *78*(Suppl 6), s3–s19\. https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax-2023-220592

Patrick J. Sullivan, Agardy, F. J., & Clark, J. J. J. (2005). *The environmental science of drinking water*. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Peters, M. (2007). *Illustrated medical dictionary*. Dorling Kindersley.

Royal Horticultural Society. (2024a). *Althaea officinalis | marsh mallow herbaceous perennial/RHS*. Rhs.Org.Uk. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/1024/althaea-officinalis/details

Royal Horticultural Society. (2024b). *Althaea officinalis | marsh mallow herbaceous perennial/RHS*. Rhs.Org.Uk. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/1024/althaea-officinalis/details

The Theft Act 1968 (Section 4) (1968).

Zeinab Bahari, Saidi, A., Anwar, F., Masoud Tohidfar, Abdolali Shojaeiyan, Ahmad, N., & Wissem Mnif. (2025). High-value phytochemicals and nutra-pharmaceutical prospects of Althaea officinalis L. (marshmallow). A review. *Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology*, *67*, 103601–103601\. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2025.103601

**Images:**

Illustrations are stock art with permission granted for usage from [www.canva.com](http://www.canva.com/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io)

Photos are by the author. 

**Instagram Post**

'Who knew Marshmallow could be so good for us? Learn more about herbs from a registered medical herbalist on my blog and newsletter at \_\_\_\_\_\_ . More recipes and learning inspiration available at @robinharwoodoffical and @betonicaschoolofherbalmedicine ! 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--6-.png)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--7-.png)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--10-.png)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/A-soft-breath--in-to-the-root-of-Marshmallow--12-.png)