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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Health & Science

Marshmallow Plant: A Natural Remedy for Coughs, Colds, and Skin Irritations

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a medicinal plant historically used for respiratory, digestive, and skin ailments.
  • Its root and leaves contain mucilage, which coats the throat to soothe coughs and reduce irritation, supported by clinical studies.
  • The plant also shows potential benefits for gastrointestinal health and has anti-inflammatory properties for topical skin applications.

The marshmallow plant, scientifically known as Althaea officinalis, has been recognized for its medicinal properties since antiquity, with its origins tracing back to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

This herbaceous plant, reaching up to 1.5 meters in height, is characterized by its white or slightly pink flowers and a root rich in starch, pectin, and flavonoids. Its distinct sweet taste is attributed to a high concentration of polysaccharides. Pablo López Schimpf, a medical specialist in nutrition and clinical applied phytotherapy, highlights mucilage as the key component responsible for its therapeutic effects.

The mucilages present in marshmallow coat the mucosa, especially the oropharyngeal, protecting it from local inflammation, reducing irritation and cough, and promoting rehydration.

— Pablo López Schimpf, Medical SpecialistExplaining the mechanism of action for marshmallow's soothing effects on the throat.

Mucilage, making up 5-20% of the plant, primarily found in the root but also in the leaves, forms a protective coating on mucous membranes. "The mucilages present in marshmallow coat the mucosa, especially the oropharyngeal, protecting it from local inflammation, reducing irritation and cough, and promoting rehydration," explains López Schimpf. Clinical studies have supported its efficacy as an antitussive in adults and have shown a reduction in cough severity and frequency in children.

Beyond respiratory relief, marshmallow is also valued for its gastrointestinal benefits, aiding in the symptomatic treatment of mild dyspeptic or gastrointestinal disorders, including bloating and flatulence. Scientific organizations like ESCOP and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approve its use for such conditions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits potential anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects when applied topically to the skin, offering relief for conditions like furunculosis and eczema, although further research is ongoing.

Scientific organizations like ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approve its use.

— Pablo López Schimpf, Medical SpecialistHighlighting the recognized therapeutic applications of marshmallow.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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