BT-059 · Malvaceae

Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

The English name comes from the plant being a mallow that grows by marshes.

Other names: Althaea, hatmi (Turkish)
Part used: Root, leaves, flowers
Region: Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use: Healing

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Marshmallow?

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a plant of the Malvaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: root, leaves, flowers.

What is Marshmallow used for?

Traditional use: The root and flowers are soaked in cold water and drunk for dry cough and throat and stomach irritation. Scientific evidence: traditional. The root is very rich in mucilage, which coats the throat and stomach.

Is Marshmallow safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe. The mucilage can delay absorption of other medicines; leave an hour between them.

Traditional use

Anatolia

The root and flowers are soaked in cold water and drunk for dry cough and throat and stomach irritation.

Europe

In the 19th century the mucilage from the root was whipped with sugar to make the first marshmallow sweets.

In nature

Where it grows: Damp and salty soils, stream and lake banks throughout Türkiye.
Harvest season: Roots in autumn, flowers July–August.
Local names: hatmi, hatmi çiçeği, gülhatmi (for Alcea species)

Mix-up risk

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is also sold as hatmi and used similarly.

Preparation

The root is soaked in cold water for a few hours; not heated.

What science says

The root is very rich in mucilage, which coats the throat and stomach. The EMA recognises marshmallow root for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough as traditional uses.