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Althaea officinalis
Echter Eibisch · (Althaea officinalis)
Mallow family (Malvaceae)
Description
Althaea officinalis, the marsh mallow or marshmallow, is a species of flowering plant indigenous to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, which is used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant.
- TeaRootInternalTraditional use
Soothing cold macerate for dry tickly cough and irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Heat-sensitive mucilage polysaccharides coat irritated mucosal surfaces — traditionally first choice for children's cough.
Preparation & dosage
COLD MACERATE (mandatory — mucilage is heat-sensitive): Soak 0.5–3 g crushed dried marshmallow root in 150 ml cold water 30–90 min, strain. Warm only to drinking temperature (max. 40 °C) — never boil. 3× daily, up to 5× if needed.
- Dry amount
- 0.5–3 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 3 years — Per EMA monograph from 3 years — traditionally used for children's cough.
[#src_ema_althaeae_radix] [#src_wp_de_althaea] [#src_wp_en_althaea]
- GargleRootExternalTraditional use
Cold macerate as gargle and mouth rinse for irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Mucilage forms a protective coating over the irritated surface.
Preparation & dosage
COLD MACERATE: 0.5–3 g in 150 ml cold water 30–90 min, strain. Lukewarm 2–3× daily as gargle or mouth rinse. Never boil.
- Dry amount
- 0.5–3 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 3 years — From 3 years (children should be supervised while gargling).
- TeaRootInternalTraditional use
Traditional use for mild gastrointestinal complaints. Marshmallow root mucilage coats the irritated gastric mucosa — used in folk medicine for gastritis and stomach irritation.
Preparation & dosage
COLD MACERATE: 2–5 g + 150 ml cold water 30–90 min. 3× daily between meals — coating effect on GI mucosa.
- Dry amount
- 2–5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — For GI complaints from 12 years per EMA.
- TeaLeafInternalTraditional use
Leaf infusion for dry irritated cough and throat irritation — somewhat less mucilage-rich than the root, but traditionally used as an easily accessible alternative. Often combined with flowers.
Preparation & dosage
HOT INFUSION: 1.5–2.5 g dried marshmallow leaves with 150 ml hot (not boiling, ca. 80–90 °C) water, cover, steep 10 min, strain. 2–3× daily. Leaves contain less mucilage than root (ca. 6–9 % vs. 10–20 %) but are suitable as an infusion.
- Dry amount
- 1.5–2.5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Leaf use from 12 years — data for younger children lacking.
- CompressRootExternalFolk medicine
Folk medicine compress with marshmallow root for skin irritations, minor inflammations, insect stings and first-degree burns. Mucilage acts cooling and soothing on irritated skin.
Preparation & dosage
COLD MACERATE COMPRESS: 5–10 g finely ground or grated marshmallow root in 200 ml cold water 30–60 min. Soak clean cloth, apply to affected skin 15–20 min. 1–2× daily, freshly prepared. Alternative: marshmallow root paste applied directly to small skin inflammations.
- Dry amount
- 5–10 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
- TinctureRootInternalTraditional use
Tincture or liquid extract for dry cough and oral mucosal irritation — more convenient than cold macerate but with lower mucilage content. Suitable as a daily alternative for adults.
Preparation & dosage
LIQUID EXTRACT / TINCTURE: Standardised finished preparations from marshmallow root per package leaflet. Tincture typically 2–5 ml per dose, 3× daily. NOTE: Mucilage content in ethanolic extracts is lower than in cold macerate — for maximum mucilage effect, prefer cold macerate.
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Ethanol-containing preparations per EMA only for adults from 18.
- SalveRootExternalFolk medicine
Folk medicine salve with marshmallow root for dry, irritated or cracked skin, eczema and scabs. Mucilage forms a moisture-retaining protective film.
Preparation & dosage
SALVE: Incorporate marshmallow root extract or finely powdered marshmallow root into a fatty base (beeswax, lanolin, cocoa butter) — typically 5–10 % dry extract. Apply thinly to irritated skin areas. Ready-made marshmallow salves available commercially.