Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis L.) belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is mainluy cultivated for medical purposes. Herbal raw materials of the plant are root, leaf and flower (Althaeae radix/folium/flos). Marshmallow root contains plant mucus, pectin, starch, mineral salts, asparagine and betaine. On the other hand leaves and flower contains lower amounts of plant mucus, however it has essential oils, tannins, flavonoids and coumarin. Products made from marshmallow root are traditionally used for inflamation of the oral cavity and throat, dry cough and benign inflammations of digestive system as a coating agent. Longterm usage of mucus/coating products can interfere with absorbing of nutrients from food.