Marshmallow Leaf has been traditionally used to soothe and support the intestines. Herbs high in mucilage (a natural gummy substance that does not dissolve in water) such as Marshmallow, are often helpful for symptomatic relief of coughs and irritated throats. Marshmallow root and, to a lesser extent, marshmallow leaf both contain significant percentages of mucilage; Like other mucilage-containing substances, marshmallow swells up and becomes slick when it is exposed to fluids. The resulting slippery material coats the linings of the mouth, throat and stomach to relieve irritation.
Marshmallow has expectorant and demulcent properties, which accounts for this herb’s historical use as a remedy for the respiratory tract, particularly in cases of irritating coughs with bronchial congestion and to alleviate heartburn. Marshmallow leaf relieves irritation by coating inflamed surfaces. Its primary use in modern herbal medicine is to relieve sore throat, but it also relieves perianal inflammation (when taken orally) caused by severe diarrhea. It also has mild antibacterial, anti-allergy and immune-boosting properties. Topically, marshmallow is used to soothe and soften irritated skin. Marshmallow leaf is completely non-toxic.
