Malvaceae
Marshmallow Leaf
Althaea officinalis
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Western Europe, North Africa, Central Asia
Also known as: Mallow Leaf, Common Marshmallow Leaf
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Dry cough, sore throat, gastritis, IBS, bladder irritation. Similar to root but milder action — suitable for longer-term use and children. Gentle enough for daily use.
Herbal Actions
Demulcent, emollient, anti-inflammatory, mild expectorant
Active Constituents
Mucilage (20% — arabinogalactans, glucuronans), flavonoids, scopoletin, phenolic acids — less mucilage than root but easier extract
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture🍯 Syrup
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2–3 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, cold infusion 4 hours or hot steep 15 min, 3–4x daily |
| Tincture | 4–6 ml (1:5, 25% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Cold infusion extracts more mucilage than hot. Leaf faster to work than root. Excellent for children with coughs. May slow medication absorption — take 1 hour before other herbs/medicines. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: May delay drug absorption (mucilage coats gut). Take medications 1 hour before or 2 hours after. Otherwise very safe.
Side Effects: Delayed drug absorption. Mild laxative effect. Extremely safe — suitable for infants.