Marshmallow Plant – Benefits and Precautions

A Marshmallow Plant is a plant whose leaves and roots have medicinal properties. It would help if you did not confuse Marshmallow Plants with the mallow or Malva sylvestris flower and leaf.

Marshmallow Plant comprises several compounds like Mucilage polysaccharides that have significant biological activity. It also includes Pectin, Flavonoids, Phytosterols, and Tannins.

The leaves of Marshmallow Plants help in curing pain & swelling of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract. It also works miracles in treating dry cough, inflammation in the stomach lining, ulcers, constipation, urinary tract inflammation, and stones.

Marshmallow Plant acts as a poultice for inflammation or burns, while you can apply its leaf and root to the skin. Marshmallow Plant leaves are also suitable for treating insect bites.

When there is pain and swelling of the feet and hands when exposed to the cold, Marshmallow Plant root is applied to the skin as it is a common ingredient in ointments for chapped skin. In addition, the leaves and roots of Marshmallow Plants are flavouring agents.

Nutritional Facts of Marshmallow Plant

Marshmallow Plant roots and leaves can be of use, but not much nutritional data is available for their pure forms. If we talk about a single serving of Marshmallow Plant candies, it weighs about 28 grams. That is like putting together around four Marshmallow Plants or probably ½ a cup of mini Marshmallow Plants.

If you consume Marshmallow Plants in their basic or candy form, you will take around 90 calories into your system. However, the calories present in Marshmallow Plant candies can vary depending on the brand.

Marshmallow Plant candies are not healthy food that experts will advise in the diet. It’s unhealthy due to the sugar/syrup load in it. One can not eat more than a couple of miniatures (1.4 g) or one large candy(7.2 g), which doesn’t give any micronutrients. And also, instead of benefits, there is more damage to health due to the high glycemic index.

Here are the nutritional facts about Marshmallow Plants in confectionery form:

Carbs in Marshmallow Plant

Most of the calorie content in Marshmallow Plant confectionery comes from carbohydrates due to various sugars like corn syrup and sucrose. The carbohydrate content in a Marshmallow Plant is around 6 grams. In contrast, a single serving with added sugars comprises approximately 23 grams of carbohydrates. 

Marshmallow Plants are usually referred to as a high glycemic food because their glycemic index is around 62. Are you aware of the estimated glycemic load of a Marshmallow Plant? 15. The serving size of Marshmallow Plants is pretty miniature.

Fats in Marshmallow Plant

You do not have to worry about the fat content as Marshmallow Plants comprise less than 1 gram of fat in a single serving. 

Proteins in Marshmallow Plant

Marshmallow Plants cannot even account for a good source of protein with less than 1 gram of protein in a single serving.

Health Benefits of Marshmallow Plant

Helps Cure Cough

As per studies, the severity and duration of your cough can decrease with Marshmallow Plant plant extracts. For example, a study of 822 patients confirmed relief within 10 minutes from consuming Marshmallow Plant tablets and syrup when troubled by throat irritation due to dry cough. In addition, you can also reduce the intensity and frequency of dry cough via syrup of Marshmallow Plant extracts. 

You can also go for a varied clinical trial that comprises a blood pressure medication where dry cough is a side effect. Here, the topic in discussion is ACE inhibitors. In the case of ACEI-related cough, patients with Marshmallow Plant extract had fewer coughing symptoms than patients in the placebo group. 

The HealthifyMe Note

Marshmallow Plant extract helps suppress cough symptoms due to serotonin receptors inside them. In addition, they play a crucial role in the body’s cough reflex by forming a protective lining or layer in the throat, restricting irritation.

Improves Skin Health

Did you know that cutaneous leishmaniasis is a skin condition you can cure with Marshmallow Plant extract? Parasites usually cause this skin condition. As per research, a clinical trial comprising 171 patients tested the same with a topical paste containing Marshmallow Plant extract and found out that it does aid in healing. Marshmallow Plant extract also protects your skin from U.V. damage.

Helps Repair Gut Lining

The root of Marshmallow Plant helps in soothing irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract. It is also advantageous in stimulating cells for tissue generation. Research has also come up with mucilage content that creates a protective tissue lining of the digestive tract. 

You can also treat mucous membrane irritants via an in-vitro study in 2010. So at the first sign of any discomfort, you can go for this extract which can otherwise be taken in the liquid form – 3 times a day (around 2-5 ml). 

Helps Heal Wounds

You can also go for Marshmallow Plant roots which are effective for wound healing due to their antibacterial properties. As per a 2015 animal study, Marshmallow Plants leaf extract can treat gram-positive bacteria, which cause more than 50% of infections, including antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” Despite antibiotic controls, when this extract gets applied to wounds, the process of wound healing is enhanced. 

The HealthifyMe Note

You should be aware of how to use Marshmallow Plants. So, you can go for an ointment or cream with Marshmallow Plant root extract and apply it to the affected area.

You can apply it three times per day. But make sure that you do not forget to do a skin patch test before topical medication. You can do this by rubbing a dime-sized amount of ointment onto the inside of your forearm.

Suppose any inflammation or irritation does not occur within 24 hours. In that case, you can safely use it anywhere and everywhere on other body parts.

Stomach Ulcers

Are you aware of indomethacin, an NSAID drug used to treat pain? So, consuming this drug might cause stomach ulcers which you can treat using Marshmallow Plant extracts. It is used primarily due to its antioxidant and histamine blocking properties. 

Acts as a Pain Reliever

You can use Marshmallow Plant roots as an analgesic or pain reliever. It is a superb choice for benign conditions that cause pain or irritation, like a sore throat or abrasion. You can also consume around 2-5 ml of liquid Marshmallow Plant extracts at least three times a day or drink it at the first sign of discomfort. 

Works as a Diuretic

Marshmallow Plants root extract also works perfectly as a diuretic. It is fantastic to flush out excess body fluid and helps cleanse the kidney and bladder. In addition, you can improve overall urinary health with Marshmallow Plant root extracts. The soothing effect aids in relieving internal irritation & inflammation in the urinary tract. 

The HealthifyMe Note

You can always use fresh Marshmallow Plants for curating Marshmallow Plant root tea by adding boiling water to 2 teaspoons of dried root. Buying bagged Marshmallow Plant tea is also an option. Keep drinking Marshmallow Plant tea throughout the day to see results. 

Supports Heart Health

Marshmallow Plants also support heart health as their flower extract has the potential to treat several heart conditions. It aids in treating lipemia, platelet aggregation, inflammation, etc., all of which correlate to cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the flower extract promotes heart health by positively affecting cholesterol levels. 

Safety and Side Effects

When you consume Marshmallow Plants in exact amounts as mentioned by FDA, it is rendered safe for consumption. Also, its root gets relatively well-tolerated, but people sometimes experience stomach upsets and dizziness. You might start with a low dose and gradually take up a higher amount which will work well to reduce your risk of side effects.

It is also known that consuming Marshmallow Plants leaf or root extract with an 8-ounce glass of water aids digestion and reduces side effects. You can consume Marshmallow Plants’ roots only for four weeks at a stretch. Remember to take a breather in between before you move on to consuming it again.

Skin irritation can be taken care of or restricted with topical application of Marshmallow Plant leaf extract. But make sure to do a patch test before you use it thoroughly on your body or anywhere.

Marshmallow Plants can interact with lithium and diabetes drugs. So, it is always a good decision to consult your doctor before beginning Marshmallow Plant root consumption. You should seek medical advice if you are on other medications as well. It is because it can cause stomach pain and interfere with the absorption of other medicines.

Avoid Use if You

You can decide not to consume Marshmallow Plant extracts if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, suffer from diabetes, or have surgery in two weeks. 

Precautionary Measures

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

We do not know if it is an excellent time to consume Marshmallow Plant extracts during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, it is better to stay on the safe side and stick to how much you should drink. 

Bleeding Disorders

Yes. The risk of bleeding disorders increases on consuming Marshmallow Plant leaf and root extract.

Surgery

The Marshmallow Plants’ flowers slow down the blood clotting, making it difficult and concerning during and after surgeries. Therefore, you must stop taking Marshmallow Plant extracts or any form at least two weeks before surgery.

Drug Interactions

When discussing drug interactions, consult your doctor or healthcare provider before consuming Marshmallow Plant herbal supplements and other medications. Not all symptoms are well-known; hence, you can be a victim of any potentially dangerous interactions that nobody might be aware of.

In addition, Marshmallow Plant herbal supplements might decrease blood glucose levels, which could go down the slope, even more, when taken with diabetes medications.

Another interaction you should take care of is the lithium plus Marshmallow Plant combination. The interaction might be moderate, but you have to be cautious. Taking Marshmallow Plants root extract might affect the body’s ability to get rid of lithium early.

It acts like a water pill or “diuretic.” Hence, it can increase the amount of lithium in the body, and the body becomes prone to side effects. Be in touch with your doctor and look into the lithium issue, as he might have to alter the dosage as per requirements.

Forms and Dosage

If we discuss the forms and dosage of Marshmallow Plant supplement consumption, its availability is in several states. It involves dried roots, dried leaves macerated in liquid, syrup, and tablets. In traditional households, the dried parts of Marshmallow Plants are put to perfect use for making tea. Dosage equivalent to around 2-15 grams can prove to be enough when it comes to cough & throat irritation. 

Conclusion

At the end of it all, you should remember that it is essential to consult your doctor before consuming Marshmallow Plant supplements. It is not a replacement for any treatment plan approved by the doctor.

Always consult a doctor before adding any oral or topical ointment to your routine. If you are scared about any side effects, you can begin with a small dose and gradually increase it over time. If any unusual side effects come to your notice, discontinue using it and call a doctor. Marshmallow Plant plant supplements have both pros and cons.