Marshmallow root: what does it have to do with marshmallow candies, and what potential does it have?

• An (un)ordinary marshmallow plant
• The history behind the popular candy
• Marshmallow in traditional medicine
• What modern research shows
• Rediscovered potential
• FAQ

An (un)ordinary marshmallow plant

Althaea officinalis, also known as marshmallow, is a perennial plant found mainly in Europe and Western Asia. It prefers moist habitats, typically riverbanks, wetlands and meadows 🌿.

The plant can reach a height of up to 180 cm and is characterized by a hairy stem, velvety leaves and small pinkish flowers.

It was not the leaves or the flowers that people valued from ancient times, but the root 🫚. This is because it is rich in so-called mucilage polysaccharides, starches and other components. Mucilage polysaccharides are long chains of sugar units which, when they come into contact with water, do not dissolve like regular sugar, but can absorb it, swell and form a sweetish gel. And it is precisely this property that made marshmallow popular as early as antiquity.

The history behind the popular candy 🍬

The first version of today’s much-loved fluffy candy was created in ancient Egypt. The root was boiled to create a sweet gel, into which honey 🍯 was then mixed, making the mass even sweeter and thicker. The chewy sweet was then a privilege reserved only for the wealthiest.

The marshmallow candy as we know it today, however, only appeared in 19th-century France. French confectioners made pâte de guimauve, or marshmallow cream, from marshmallow root extract, sugar and whipped egg white 🥚.

Very shortly afterwards, with the arrival of the Industrial Revolution, the root extract was replaced by gelatin, which was easier to process and cheaper.

Although today’s marshmallow candies no longer contain marshmallow, the name remained — as a reminder of what stood at the beginning of the whole story.

Marshmallow in traditional medicine

Marshmallow gel became popular in folk medicine as early as ancient Egypt and Greece and later also in medieval Europe.

Gel from marshmallow root was used externally and internally. When applied to the skin, it was believed to help with irritation, insect bites, blisters, minor burns and small wounds.

When used internally, it was believed to soothe mucous membranes and relieve problems with the respiratory tract, urinary tract and digestion. But what are the real effects of marshmallow?

What modern research shows

Current knowledge focuses mainly on the composition of the root and how its compounds behave when they come into contact with mucous membranes and cells 🦠.

According to a report by the European Medicines Agency, marshmallow root may contain:

• more than 10% mucilage polysaccharides,
• approximately 25–35% starch,
• around 10% sucrose,
• tenths of a percent of flavonoids.

The most interesting components of the root are precisely the mucilage polysaccharides. Laboratory tests have shown that they can adhere to the surface of cells and form an adhesive layer, a kind of protective film that could influence cell viability, gene expression and cellular activity.

Animal studies have shown that marshmallow extract as well as separately isolated polysaccharides reduced the frequency and intensity of cough. While conventional cough medicines work by dilating the bronchi, this did not occur in the case of marshmallow. The effect could involve 5-HT2 serotonin receptors, meaning neural regulation of the cough reflex 🧠.

The effect of marshmallow on cough has also been studied in humans, but the research is still limited.

The most promising results came from a study that followed 60 people for 4 weeks who had cough caused by the use of ACE inhibitors. In the group taking marshmallow extract, there was a marked reduction in cough intensity compared with the group taking placebo. However, because this was a small sample, a specific type of cough and the precise composition of the extract used was not described, these results cannot be taken as clear evidence of the effect of marshmallow on cough.

Current knowledge suggests that the traditional use of marshmallow has a biologically plausible explanation. Another piece of good news is that no significant adverse effects have been discovered so far. Although marshmallow is still used in modern medicine as part of some medicines, especially cough syrups, it is not a clinically confirmed medicinal treatment. If you are dealing with health problems, you should always consult your condition with a doctor.

Rediscovered potential

Why is marshmallow trending again? Modern society is increasingly showing interest in natural substances and alternative medicine. Marshmallow is a common, undemanding herb that is easily available, has a rich history and interesting potential — so it is no surprise that it is gaining attention again.

Gel from the root of marshmallow has been used since ancient times, both for making confectionery and in medicine. The extract is behind the creation of popular marshmallow candies and, historically, it was also credited with the ability to soothe irritated skin and mucous membranes and relieve problems with the respiratory and urinary tracts and digestive system.

Although modern research has not yet provided definitive evidence clearly confirming possible medicinal effects, marshmallow is still used today as part of cough preparations.

Sources:

• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): Benefits, Safety, Uses | Herbal Reality
• Assessment report on Althaea officinalis L., radix

Author: Natálie Kubíčková

Photo: AI

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