Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine, particularly for soothing mucous membranes in the digestive and respiratory tracts. Its roots and leaves contain mucilage—a gelatinous substance that can coat and protect irritated tissues. In the context of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), marshmallow has been used traditionally to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, ease inflammation, and relieve symptoms like abdominal pain or mild diarrhea. However, the bulk of this support comes from historical herbal texts and anecdotal reports rather than rigorous scientific studies.

Despite its traditional use, there is limited clinical research specifically examining marshmallow’s efficacy for IBS. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that marshmallow’s mucilage can exhibit anti-inflammatory and demulcent (soothing) effects on the gut lining, which could, in theory, benefit IBS patients whose symptoms are related to mucosal irritation. Nevertheless, modern clinical trials evaluating marshmallow root or extract for IBS symptoms in humans are lacking. Therefore, while marshmallow is sometimes recommended in herbal traditions for IBS, the evidence supporting its use is weak and mainly based on its general demulcent properties rather than IBS-specific research.

In summary, marshmallow’s use for IBS is primarily justified by traditional usage rather than scientific validation, and the evidence rating is low due to the absence of robust, targeted clinical studies.

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