Althaeae radix

Althaeae radix, also known as marshmallow root, is obtained from the mallow species Altaeae officinalis, the true marshmallow. Althaea radix is a drug that is used in herbal medicines to treat inflammation of the mucous membranes and dry irritable coughs. The crushed drug, liquid extracts and dry extracts are used.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, dry irritating cough, relief of gastric complaints.
ESCOP monograph: dry irritating cough; irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat; mild gastrointestinal complaints, irritation of the gastric mucosa
Commission E monograph: irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, dry irritating cough; mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Empirical medicine: external softening compresses, baths and cataplasms for abscesses, boils and skin inflammations.

The marshmallow root contains up to 15% membrane mucus in the roots (galacturonorhamnan, arabinogalactan), which includes a mixture of branched glycans, sucrose (about 10%), starch and 10% pectins. Further ingredients are flavonoids.

Althaeae radix has anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory effects, mucosal protective; immunomodulatory, increase phagocytosis, antiphlogistic and antimicrobial.

Althaeae radix is used according to the guidelines of Commission E for inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat and for mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Marshmallow root is popularly used for dry irritating coughs and acts as a softening agent for wounds and dry skin.

The usual daily dose is 6 g of roots and 5 g of leaves. The single dose of marshmallow syrup is 10 g.

There are no known adverse effects

Children under 3 years, allergy to any of the ingredients.

In pregnancy and lactation due to lack of data on safety.

For children and adolescents: No indication in gastrointestinal disorders, note dosage in case of irritation of the mouth and throat with irritable cough, see under EMA: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-althaea-officinalis-l-radix_en.pdf

If other drugs are taken at the same time, their absorption can be delayed.

The fixed combination primrose root+marshmallow root+anise consists of:

• Primula radix (Primrose root)
• Althaeae radix (marshmallow root)
• Anisi fructus (Aniseed)

has a slightly antispasmodic, soothing, antibacterial and secretolytic effect. In addition, it inhibits mucociliary activity, has expectorant effects and is used for a mild catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and for a dry irritable cough.

Diabetics must pay attention to the sugar content of the marshmallow syrup.
Marshmallow roots should not be used hot as a tea infusion or boiled off, as the high starch and pectin content results in a viscous, viscous mucilage preparation.

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3. Hermann PT et al. (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary, 11th edition, De Gruyter Publishers p. 70.
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6. Sutovská M et al.(2009) Possible mechanisms of dose-dependent cough suppressive effect of Althaea officinalis rhamnogalacturonan in guinea pigs test system. Int J Biol Macromol. 45:27-32.
7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-althaea-officinalis-l-radix_en.pdf
8. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/eibisch.php.
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