Marshmallow Root Tea Benefits - The Soothing Medicinal Plant

What is Marshmallow Root?

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Malvaceae family (the same family as mallow).

It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia and has been used for centuries in folk medicine due to its excellent medicinal properties.

The Marshmallow root is thick and fleshy, with a rough, brown outer bark and a white, fibrous interior.

By concentrating its natural active principles, Marshmallow root is excellent for preparing teas, decoctions, and home remedies for topical application to the skin and mucous membranes.

What is Marshmallow Root Used For?

Marshmallow root is naturally rich in mucilages and natural anti-inflammatory compounds, making it an excellent medicinal plant when used as a soothing agent.

Mucilages are complex carbohydrates that are soluble in water and form a viscous and gelatinous substance when mixed with liquids.

These mucilages have emollient and moisturizing properties, making them useful in many medicinal and cosmetic applications.

They can form a protective layer on the skin or mucous membranes, helping to alleviate irritation and inflammation.

Benefits and Properties of Althea Root Tea

Marshmallow Root for Cough

When Marshmallow root tea is ingested, its mucilages form a protective layer on the irritated mucous membranes of the throat, not only calming a dry cough but also reducing inflammation.

Moreover, the mucilages can help lubricate the throat and promote the production of mucus, which also helps to eliminate expectoration, making it an excellent herb when the type of cough is not clear.

Relieves Sore Throat

In addition to the mucilages that coat and soothe an irritated throat, the presence of natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds such as vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol help to reduce associated inflammation.

Marshmallow tea is excellent for relieving all types of pharyngitis and laryngitis of any origin and is an excellent complement to antibiotics in bacterial infections.

Treatment of Digestive Discomfort

Of the many home remedies used to treat acid reflux, gastritis, and intestinal inflammations, Marshmallow is possibly one of the most studied herbs, and its effect is verified in all types of causes.

It is no wonder that the calming and coating effect of mucilages and natural anti-inflammatories is excellent in relieving all mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

You can calm irritations and inflammations of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Marshmallow Root Skin Benefits

The mucilages and natural anti-inflammatory compounds naturally present in Marshmallow root not only soothe internal and external mucous membranes but also help to coat and soften inflamed skin.

This mechanical coating also helps to fix and maintain water in the skin, contributing to its deep hydration.

Complement in Urinary Infections and Inflammations

It may sound a little strange, but despite the mucilages of Marshmallow tea theoretically not being absorbed or reaching systemic circulation and consequent elimination in the urinary system, Marshmallow tea is traditionally used as a complement to alleviate urinary irritations and inflammations, especially those associated with bladder infections and kidney stone elimination.

Of course, it is not a solution because a chemical or natural antibiotic will need to be used, but it is said to alleviate associated discomfort.

No publication on this page constitutes medical practice and as such does not replace medical advice and follow-up.