Yes, marshmallow plant was once used to make marshmallows. Those spongy sweet treats that are an essential ingredient to campfires and hot chocolate had their origins in the herbal world but modern day marshmallows no longer contain any part of marshmallow root. Marshmallow has a long history of use and Pliny, an ancient Roman scholar said, “Whosoever shall take a spoonful of the Mallows shall that day be free from all diseases that may come to him”, indicating how highly regarded the plant was in ancient times.
Marshmallow is revered as a demulcent herb making it useful for soothing hot and inflamed tissues in the lungs which is why our Naturopaths often use marshmallow for coughs. The soothing effects also provide assistance to inflamed digestive disorders such as IBS as well as for the urinary tract. It has been traditionally used for the management of dry, irritated coughs and other respiratory problems and is a wonderful ally for the cold and flu season. It is also useful to soothe an inflamed and sore throat. It frequently gets used for hot and painful urinary problems such as cystitis, kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
A 2020 in vitro investigation indicated protective effects for marshmallow through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Macrophages are key components of the innate immune defence system and provide the first line of defence against mucosal invasive pathogens. Marshmallow treatment increased the viability of macrophages in human cells without affecting the cell number. In line with these findings marshmallow had positive effects on the viability of epithelial cells involved in the mucosal barrier. The findings show that marshmallow has antioxidant properties, stimulates antioxidant defence mechanisms and, thus, may protect against oxidative stress in macrophages.
With thanks to Christine Thomas