When you hear someone say “marshmallow”, what comes to mind?
For most of us, our brains will conjure up cozy visions of edible white pillows floating in our hot chocolate, or roasting on a stick over a barbeque.
But once upon a time, the marshmallow wasn’t made to be consumed as candy.
It had a much higher calling – as an herbal remedy for treating ailments and supporting overall wellbeing.
The Illustrious History of Marshmallows
The word “marshmallow” actually comes from the marshmallow plant, which is indigenous to parts of Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
A Medicinal Powerhouse
Ancient Greeks, Romans and Arabs used various parts of the plant for an assortment of medicinal purposes, such as soothing sore throats and healing wounds. By the time the Middle Ages came around, it was believed to be able to resolve a wide range of maladies, including upset stomachs, and even insomnia.
They were practically considered a cure-all. The marshmallow root was particularly valued for its ability to relieve pain.
“It contains many polysaccharides, making it highly slimy or gel-like. This mucilaginous property makes it soothing for the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive and urinary tract walls, and for damaged skin,” explained Associate Professor Gavin Dawe, Head of the Department of Pharmacology at National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, in CNA.
“The mucilaginous coating may also be protective, preventing further damage or infection and allowing the tissue time to heal,” he added.
A Sugary Delight
As for its culinary history, the marshmallow began its life as a sweet treat when ancient Egyptians mixed its sap with nuts and honey.
It was centuries later that this candy was altered into a form closer to our modern concept of the marshmallow; the 1800s saw French confectioners whipping the root’s mucilage together with sugar, egg whites and water to create a spongy dessert.
However, if you think the packaged marshmallows found in supermarkets today would have any medicinal properties at all, you will be disappointed.
The process of preparing the original marshmallow dessert was a task so laborious that the marshmallow plant was soon switched out with gelatine, making it both easier and cheaper to produce.
Eating modern marshmallows will do nothing more than make your tastebuds tingle and give you a sugar rush.
Regardless of its long-forgotten association with the saccharine snack, the pervasiveness of marshmallow root during its glory days inspired modern scientists to determine its medical worth – and the results have given some credence to the belief our ancestors held over the curative capabilities of this plant.
The Health Benefits of Marshmallow Root
Of the many benefits marshmallow root is proclaimed to have, the oft-studied ones are with regard to its aptitude in easing respiratory, skin and digestive concerns.
It should be noted that much of the research is limited to lab or animal studies. More testing, including human trials, is needed to explore and verify the true potential of marshmallow root in improving our health.
Easing Coughs and Sore Throats
By coating and soothing the throat, the mucilage can provide immediate relief from irritation in the respiratory tract and help reduce swelling.
According to research from 2017, it may also help to loosen mucus in the airways and inhibit bacteria, which aids in alleviating congestion and fighting off further infection.
Supporting Skin Health
When applied topically, marshmallow root can have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help soothe skin irritation resulting from conditions such as eczema or sunburn.
It also has antibacterial properties, with a 2015 animal study uncovering how wound healing using its extract was significantly higher when compared to controls. As an antioxidant, it could also help reduce oxidative stress and neutralise free radicals.
Soothing Digestive Troubles
The mucilage does not just cover the throat; it can also form a protective layer over the stomach lining. This layer can be particularly effective as a shield against gastrointestinal ulcers.
Taking Marshmallow Root in the 21st Century
Even though marshmallow candies have lost their herbal soul, marshmallow root is still widely available in other forms:
If you have any digestive issues, for instance, you can turn to marshmallow root capsules.
And if your throat is feeling a little dry, you can find this herb in lozenges or syrups.
For something a touch more comforting, you can also concoct marshmallow root tea.
Just steep some dried marshmallow root in hot water. If you’d like to add a sweetener for extra flavour, honey is a good option; it just so happens that it’s also well-known for relieving cough symptoms.
Should you want to simplify the process further, marshmallow root is also available as tea bags and powder. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging when you’re preparing your tea.
For skin conditions, some recipes recommend creating salves by combining marshmallow extract or cooled marshmallow tea with a base oil like coconut oil, to apply to the affected skin. However, some people are allergic to the marshmallow plant. Before trying this herb out, consult a doctor for advice on its safety, and whether it could interfere with any medication already prescribed to you.
It may no longer be a mainstream medicine, but marshmallow root still holds some therapeutic promise. As research continues, this sweet plant could once again reclaim its place in your wellness toolkit – not in the candy stash, but in your medicine cabinet.
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Read More
- 5 Natural Adaptogens to Fight Stress and Fatigue
- Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®) and Its Place in Modern Health Practices
- A Shot of Wellness: The Real Reasons Ginger and Turmeric Are Trending
External References
- Berry, J. (2019, April 2). What are the benefits of marshmallow root? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324860
- Cronkleton, E. (2024, September 20). Everything You Need to Know About Marshmallow Root. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/marshmallow-root
- Dawid-Pać R. (2013). Medicinal plants used in treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Postepy Permatologii i Alergologii, 30(3), 170–177. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3834722/
- Khoo, B. K. (2025, March 27). From medicine to munchies: The surprising history behind your favourite drinks and snacks. CNA. Retrieved from: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/wellness/history-behind-soft-drinks-snacks-461191
- Millhone, C. (2023, November 14). What Is Marshmallow Root? Health. Retrieved from: https://www.health.com/marshmallow-root-benefits-8385277
- Pugle, M. (2024, August 8). Herbal Uses of Marshmallow Root. Verywell Health. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/marshmallow-root-7485537
- Rezaei, M., Dadgar, Z., Noori-Zadeh, A., Mesbah-Namin, S. A., Pakzad, I., & Davodian, E. (2015). Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the Althaea officinalis L. leaf extract and its wound healing potency in the rat model of excision wound creation. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 5(2), 105–112. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4418059/
- Rupp, R. (2015, August 14). The Gooey Story of S’mores. National Geographic. Retrieved from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/the-gooey-story-of-smores
- Seladi-Schulman, J. (2022, November 10). The 7 Best Teas to Help Ease a Cough. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/tea-for-cough
- Sendker, J., Böker, I., Lengers, I., Brandt, S., Jose, J., Stark, T., Hofmann, T., Fink, C., Abdel-Aziz, H., & Hensel, A. (2017). Phytochemical Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Constituents from Marshmallow Roots (Althaea officinalis) and Inhibiting Effects of the Aqueous Extract on Human Hyaluronidase-1. Journal of Natural Products, 80(2), 290–297. Retrieved from: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00670
- Silver, N. (2020, May 20). Can Marshmallows Soothe a Sore Throat? The Facts. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/marshmallow-sore-throat
- Wells, J. (2016, October 13). The Long, Sweet History of Marshmallows. Mental Floss. Retrieved from: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/86346/long-sweet-history-marshmallows
