Herbs and plantsMarshmallow root—the root that stops a dry cough faster than syrup?
- Henryk Różański — Prawoślaz lekarski – Althaea officinalis
- Henryk Różański — Symphytum – żywokost
- Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis L.) and Its Potency in the Treatment of Cough. · Complement Med Res 2020
- [Marshmallow Root Extract for the Treatment of Irritative Cough: Two Surveys on Users' View on Effectiveness and Tolerability]. · Complement Med Res 2018
- [Antitussive action of extracts and polysaccharides of marsh mallow (Althea officinalis L., var. robusta)]. · Pharmazie 1992
- The antitussive activity of polysaccharides from Althaea officinalis l., var. Robusta, Arctium lappa L., var. Herkules, and Prunus persica L., Batsch. · Bratisl Lek Listy 2007
- Antitussive activity of Althaea officinalis L. polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan and its changes in guinea pigs with ovalbumine-induced airways inflammation. · Bratisl Lek Listy 2011
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service — Sodium Ascorbate Treatment of Whooping Cough
Henryk Różański describes marshmallow root as a remedy that soothes acute, dry cough.
- To prepare a macerate, use 2–3 tablespoons of chopped root and 1–2 glasses of cold, boiled water.
- You can make syrup from the macerate by adding honey, raspberry juice, or a saturated sugar solution.
- Marshmallow can replace comfrey in a mixture for dry cough, which should contain several ingredients.
What the authors write
Marshmallow root is an antitussive and soothing herbal substance used to make an infusion and a macerate.
To prepare a macerate, pour 1–2 glasses of cold, boiled water over 2–3 tablespoons of chopped herbal material; drink it for a cough.
You can make syrup from a macerate of the root or leaves by adding honey; raspberry juice or a saturated sugar solution can be used instead.
Marshmallow soothes acute, dry cough.
Marshmallow root is listed as one of the ingredients that can replace comfrey for treating dry cough, but the author points out that several ingredients are needed.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 5 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 18.
The review indicates that animal and human studies confirmed the effectiveness of marshmallow extracts for dry cough.
Aim of the study: Althaea officinalis has traditionally been used to manage cough and other respiratory problems. The aim of this review article was to evaluate its effectiveness in modern research in light of its traditional uses.
Results: Different mechanisms contribute to the expectorant and antitussive effects of A. officinalis in cough treatment. Therefore, A. officinalis combined with other plant extracts in different forms of medicine could be a good choice for cough, sore throat, and other respiratory ailments.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In surveys, users of syrup and lozenges containing an aqueous extract of the root reported rapid relief from throat irritation and dry cough.
Aim of the study: Cough preparations containing aqueous marshmallow root extracts (Althaea officinalis) have a long history as medicinal products in Germany. The aim of the 2 prospective, non-interventional surveys reported here was to better document users' impressions of effectiveness and tolerability, as well as their satisfaction.
Results: These consumer-reported results show that both preparations had a good effect in the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal irritation and associated dry cough, with effects beginning very rapidly—in most cases within 10 min. Tolerability was very good (with only 3 minor adverse events for the syrup). The survey results support the long-established use of both marshmallow preparations for the symptomatic treatment of dry cough.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In cats, a polysaccharide from marshmallow root reduced the number of coughing attacks, and its effect was comparable to that of marshmallow syrup.
Aim of the study: The complex extract and the polysaccharide isolated from marshmallow roots were tested for antitussive activity in unanaesthetized cats of both sexes. Cough was induced by mechanically stimulating the laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial mucous areas of the respiratory system with a Nylon fibre (diameter 0.35 mm).
Results: It was as effective at inhibiting the cough reflex as Sirupus Althaeae at a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. and more effective than prenoxdiazine at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. However, the cough-suppressing effect of the polysaccharide was lower than that of dropropizine. The extract was less effective than the polysaccharide.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In an experiment on cats, plant polysaccharides—especially those from marshmallow—clearly suppressed cough.
Aim of the study: Treating pathological cough presents a serious medical problem. The aim of the experiments was to investigate the effect of polysaccharides on experimentally induced cough.
Results: The results showed that the tested polysaccharides had statistically significant cough-suppressing activity, noticeably greater than that of the non-narcotic drug used in clinical practice to treat cough. The strongest antitussive activity was observed with the polysaccharide from marshmallow, which contained the highest proportion of the uronic acid component. The tested compounds had a negligible negative effect on expectoration compared with codeine. The antitussive activity of various plant polysaccharides was confirmed. These results suggest that they are potential antitussive agents (Tab. 2, Fig. 6, Ref. 15) Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In guinea pigs, marshmallow polysaccharide suppressed the cough reflex in a dose-dependent way, although under inflammatory conditions its effect lasted for a shorter time.
Aim of the study: The studies presented aimed to experimentally confirm the antitussive effect of the Althaea officinalis polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan and assess how it changes under conditions of allergic inflammation.
Results: 1) The Althaea officinalis polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan inhibits the cough reflex in unsensitized guinea pigs in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, the plant polysaccharide shortened the duration of the antitussive effect when tested under inflammatory conditions. 2) Rhamnogalacturonan did not affect airway reactivity in vivo, as measured by specific resistance, in either sensitized or unsensitized groups of animals. 3) The antitussive activity of codeine (oral dose 10 mg.kg(-1) b.w.), tested under the same conditions, was comparable to that of a higher dose of rhamnogalacturonan in unsensitized animals. 4) Histopathological investigations confirmed the characteristic cellular pattern of allergic airway inflammation. Rhamnogalacturonan isolated from Althaea officinalis mucilage has a very strong cough-suppressing effect in guinea pigs, which is shortened under conditions of experimentally induced allergic airway inflammation (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 25).
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.