Dosage
Traditional use is 5 g of dried root in tea, three times a day. Syrups and lozenges deliver a soothing dose. Ask your healthcare provider before regular use if you take medicine, since the mucilage can slow absorption.
Ingredient guide
Marshmallow Root (Althaea): Cough and the Evidence
Marshmallow root supplies mucilage polysaccharides that form a soothing coat on the throat and gut lining. Small trials and traditional use support its role for dry, irritable cough. Modern human evidence is limited.
Limited evidenceBenefits
- Coats irritated throat and oral mucous membranes via mucilage.
- Small trial in 63 adults with ACE-inhibitor cough showed significant cough reduction.
- Traditionally used for dry, irritable cough and digestive discomfort.
Evidence summary
What marshmallow root is
Marshmallow root is the dried root of Althaea officinalis, a tall pink-flowered plant native to Europe. The root is rich in mucilage polysaccharides that swell with water into a thick soothing gel. The modern marshmallow candy was originally made from this plant, though now uses corn syrup and gelatin.
What the human research shows
A randomised trial in 63 adults with persistent cough from ACE-inhibitor medicine found that marshmallow root significantly reduced cough severity over four weeks. A larger trial in 822 patients with dry pharyngeal cough reported that root extract lozenges and syrup improved symptoms within 10 minutes. We grade the evidence as limited but supportive of short-term use for dry cough.
Dosage & safety
Side effects
- Generally very well tolerated.
- May slow the absorption of medicines taken at the same time.
Interactions
- Marshmallow mucilage may slow the absorption of some medicines.
Warnings
- Speak with a doctor or pharmacist before regular marshmallow use if you take medicine, since the mucilage may slow absorption.
- Separate marshmallow doses by 1 to 2 hours from medicines.
- See a healthcare provider for cough lasting more than 2 weeks.
Products with this ingredient
Related ingredient guides
Citations
- Marshmallow root: benefits, side effects healthline.com
- Althaea officinalis (monograph) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Frequently asked questions
Does marshmallow root help cough?
Yes, especially for dry, irritable cough. Small trials show it can reduce cough severity and provide quick soothing relief.
Is marshmallow root the same as candy marshmallows?
No. The candy was originally made from the plant centuries ago, but modern marshmallows are made from corn syrup and gelatin with no plant content.