Evidence supporting the use of: Marshmallow
For the health condition: Phlebitis

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Synopsis

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

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, primarily for soothing irritated tissues and mucous membranes due to its high mucilage content. In the context of phlebitis, which is inflammation of a vein, marshmallow root has sometimes been used in folk remedies for its purported anti-inflammatory and demulcent (soothing) properties. Herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries occasionally mention topical applications of marshmallow poultices or ointments for skin inflammation and swelling, which could, by extension, include phlebitis. However, this use is largely based on traditional practice rather than scientific validation.

Modern clinical research supporting marshmallow’s efficacy for phlebitis specifically is lacking. While some laboratory studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of marshmallow extracts, these studies are limited and do not directly address vascular inflammation or clinical outcomes in phlebitis. Most contemporary herbalists do not list marshmallow as a primary herb for treating phlebitis, and it is more commonly referenced for respiratory or digestive tract irritation. Therefore, while there is a traditional basis for its soothing effects, marshmallow’s use for phlebitis is not robustly supported by scientific evidence, and any benefit is likely to be mild and symptomatic rather than curative.

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