As a functional medicine practitioner, one of the most common issues I see in my telehealth practice is leaky gut (or a compromised gut lining).
Healing a leaky gut and improving digestion overall is always about more than just one magic herb or supplement– but there are definitely a few natural allies that I come back to time and again for their gut-supportive properties.
Marshmallow root is one of them. This herb really stands out for its ability to support mucosal integrity, calm inflammation, and soothe the gut. Many people also pair it with natural remedies like Buy our product acid reflux drink and star gut, or products such as Star Juice, for added digestive support. Let’s explore the unique properties of this plant and how it can help with your gut health (and overall wellness).
The marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) has been a revered medicinal herb for centuries, used for over 2800 years in traditional Greek and Egyptian medicine for digestion, coughs, and for its anti-inflammatory properties. (1)
The flowers, leaves, and roots of the marshmallow plant are all edible, and each offer their own beneficial properties. But marshmallow root is the most well known component of this medicinal plant, and the one we’ll focus on today.
Marshmallow root is rough and fibrous, and rich in polysaccharides, flavonoids, tannins, antioxidants, and a gelatinous substance called mucilage. (2) Mucilage is a thick, slippery, sap-like compound that swells when mixed with water, forming what is essentially a soft, soothing coating that can calm irritated tissues throughout the body.
This herb is now commonly used in functional medicine, integrative medicine, and herbal medicine practices to support digestive issues, stomach ulcers, skin inflammation, and even hormonal balance.
The mucilage I mentioned above is at the heart of what makes marshmallow root so beneficial for gut health, and specifically leaky gut. This slippery compound forms a protective coating along the mucous membranes in the digestive tract. (3)
This is incredibly important when it comes to healing leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability). In cases of leaky gut, the tight junctions in your intestinal lining become permeable, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacterial metabolites to leak out into the bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation and autoimmunity, as I see with so many of my patients.
Marshmallow root supports the middle layer of gut defense (the mucus layer). Along with your microbiome and the epithelial lining of the intestines, this mucosal layer helps to form the gut’s natural barrier.
By strengthening this layer, marshmallow root can reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and promote healing for those with gut permeability issues and gastrointestinal conditions including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This is one of the core reasons why I include marshmallow root in the Gut component of my Gut Feelings supplement, a blend of botanicals formulated specifically to restore gastrointestinal health and support a strong, resilient gut. Marshmallow root works alongside other ingredients including slippery elm, licorice, aloe vera, and quercetin to heal the gut lining and protect it from daily stressors and triggers.
Marshmallow root offers a number of other digestive benefits beyond gut lining support. It can help to:
The common thread across all of these effects of marshmallow root is the properties of mucilage on various mucous membranes and linings throughout the digestive system. Research has also shown that the mucilage in marshmallow root remains stable throughout the whole digestive tract, from your mouth all the way to the colon.
We have mucous membranes all throughout the body, not just in the digestive tract. Marshmallow root, therefore, supports the protective linings of your respiratory tract and skin, and provides benefits related to immune system and brain health.
While these benefits may not be specifically related to digestion, I don’t really look at them as separate from gut health. We know that everything in the body is connected. When something benefits the brain, the immune system, or even the skin, these benefits often translate directly back to the gut (and vice versa).
Here are a few of the most powerful health benefits of marshmallow root throughout the body:
I’ll note that most (not all) research on marshmallow root so far, while promising, has been limited to lab studies and animal studies. We in the natural healing world hope that more human clinical trials will come soon, to help shine a light on exactly how, when, and why marshmallow root works (as healers have known for centuries)!
You can find marshmallow root in various forms, including teas, powders, extracts, capsules, tinctures, and topical preparations. As I mentioned earlier, I included marshmallow root in my Gut Feelings supplement blend, and this can be used for gut healing and/or ongoing gut support.
For more acute uses, you can look for a preparation that allows the herb to have as much contact as possible with the tissue you’re looking to support. For example, for a sore throat, you might want to try a marshmallow root tea or a natural cough syrup or lozenge formulated with the herb (stay away from sugary options!).
Because mucilage remains intact throughout the digestive tract, any form taken orally (including capsules) is good for the gut.
Marshmallow root is considered safe for most people and generally well-tolerated, with few to no side effects reported.
Marshmallow root may affect blood sugar levels, so it’s best to get medical advice first if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Another consideration would be whether you’re taking any medications that marshmallow root could interfere with. Possible contraindications may include:
As always, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider before adding new herbal supplements (or any supplements) to your protocol.
If you’re looking into using marshmallow root topically for a skin condition, you might want to do a spot test first (apply a small amount to an area of your skin inside the elbow and monitor for any reactions). This is good practice for any new skincare product, but allergic reactions to marshmallow root are rare.
In my functional medicine telehealth practice, I often use marshmallow root as part of a broader gut-repair strategy. So many of my patients have leaky gut syndrome, and this natural remedy is very often part of their protocol.
I also use it generally for those with food sensitivities, IBS, bloating, or gut irritation, as well as for those with various symptoms of impaired mucous membranes (think: skin irritation, digestive symptoms, prone to colds and respiratory infections). I find it’s usually really well-tolerated, even for those who tend to react to supplements.
Overall, marshmallow root is such a supportive herbal remedy and a great reminder for all of us of the importance of our mucous membranes in the gut and beyond.
As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.
As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.
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