Althaea officinalis

Marshmallow/Drug Interactions:

  • ACE inhibitorsACE inhibitors: In human research, marshmallow resulted in a reduction in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced cough (13).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In animal research, marshmallow exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, and S. aureus (14; 15). According to secondary sources, marshmallow may interact with antibiotics.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In animal research, marshmallow had hypoglycemic effects (12).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In animal research, marshmallow had anti-inflammatory properties (16).
  • AntimicrobialsAntimicrobials: In animal research, marshmallow exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, and S. aureus (14; 15).
  • AntiprotozoalsAntiprotozoals: In human research, a topical combination product containing marshmallow showed a curing effect for Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (17).
  • AntitussivesAntitussives: In animal and laboratory research, marshmallow root extract and marshmallow polysaccharides had antitussive effects (18; 14; 19; 20). In human research, marshmallow resulted in a reduction in ACE inhibitor-induced cough (13).
  • GastrointestinalagentsGastrointestinalagents: According to secondary sources, marshmallow has been used for gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, and ulcerative colitis and theoretically may interact with gastrointestinal agents.
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: According to secondary sources, marshmallow has been used as an immunostimulant and theoretically may interact with immunostimulant agents.
  • Oral drugsOral drugs: According to secondary sources, the fiber in marshmallow may impair absorption of oral drugs.
  • Topical steroidsTopical steroids: In human research, marshmallow increased the topical anti-inflammatory effects of steroids (1).

    • Marshmallow/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In animal research, marshmallow exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, and S. aureus (14; 15). According to secondary sources, marshmallow may interact with herbs and supplements with antibacterial properties.
  • Anti-inflammatory herbs and supplementsAnti-inflammatory herbs and supplements: In animal research, marshmallow had anti-inflammatory properties (16).
  • AntimicrobialsAntimicrobials: In animal research, marshmallow exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, and S. aureus (14; 15).
  • AntiprotozoalsAntiprotozoals: In human research, a topical combination product containing marshmallow showed a curing effect for Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (17).
  • Antitussive herbs and supplementsAntitussive herbs and supplements: In human research, marshmallow resulted in a reduction in ACE inhibitor-induced cough (13). In animal and laboratory research, marshmallow root extract and marshmallow polysaccharides had antitussive effects (18; 14; 19; 20).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In animal research, marshmallow had hypoglycemic effects (12).
  • Oral agentsOral agents: According to secondary sources, the fiber in marshmallow may impair absorption of oral drugs.

    • Marshmallow/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Marshmallow/Lab Interactions:

  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: In animal research, marshmallow had a hypoglycemic effect (12).