Dried Herb & Tea

Marshmallow Flower

Althaea officinalis

T Traditional use

Marshmallow flower tea is a folk remedy for cough and colds in Türkiye; most market samples are Alcea species. Not recommended in pregnancy.

Respiratory, Throat & Mouth
Marshmallow Flower
Pregnancy⚠ Avoid
Breastfeeding⚠ Avoid
ChildrenCaution
Drug interactionsInteraction reported
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At a glance

Marshmallow flower is a mucilage-rich herbal drug used in Türkiye more often than the root or leaf. A flower infusion is drunk as a folk remedy for bronchial complaints, cough and colds. There is no EMA monograph for the flower, and all 33 samples bought from Turkish herbal markets turned out to be related Alcea species rather than Althaea.

Parts used: flowers
Key constituents: Mucilage (polysaccharides)

Updated: October 22, 2026

Sources include an EMA HMPC monograph. Its scope is limited to the specified species, plant part and preparation; this is not professional approval.

What is it used for?

  • T Traditional use

    Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    An infusion of the flowers is traditionally drunk as a folk remedy for bronchial complaints, cough and colds. There are no clinical studies and no official monograph for this use. [2]

How is it used?

Tea

Dried flowers are steeped in hot water (infusion) and drunk. The sources give no verified amount or duration for the flower.

[2]

Safety & interactions

  • Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: there are no safety data for the flower, and the EMA does not recommend the root of the same plant in these periods due to lack of data.
  • Do not use it to bring on a period or to affect a pregnancy; no reliable source supports this use.
  • Its mucilage may delay absorption of other oral medicines; leave at least 30–60 minutes between them.
  • Market samples often showed species mix-ups and insect residues; choose a product with a known source and clean material.
  • See a doctor for fever, shortness of breath, bloody or purulent sputum, or a cough lasting more than a week.
  • There are no flower-specific data for children; do not give it without medical advice.
[1][2]

Drug interactions

Drug interactions
Medicine / substanceEffectSeverity
Other oral medicinesAbsorption may be delayed by the mucilage (warning from the EMA monograph on the root of the same plant); leave at least 30–60 minutes between them. [1]Minor

Side effects

  • No systematic side-effect data exist for the flower; allergic reactions are possible in people allergic to the mallow family (Malvaceae)

⚕ When to see a doctor

  • If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
  • If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
  • If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

Did you know?

All 33 samples sold as “hatmi flower” in Turkish herbal markets were Alcea species such as hollyhock, not true marshmallow (Althaea); 28 contained insect or snail residues. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Does marshmallow flower bring on a period?

No clinical study or official monograph shows that marshmallow flower brings on menstruation. Using it for this purpose is not recommended; if a period is late, first consider pregnancy and see a doctor.

Can I drink marshmallow flower tea while pregnant?

It is not recommended. There are no safety data for the flower, and the EMA does not recommend the root of the same plant in pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of data.

Is marshmallow flower the same as marshmallow root?

No. The root has an EMA monograph and is prepared by soaking in cold water. The flower has no official monograph, and flowers sold in Turkish markets are mostly related Alcea species.

Does marshmallow flower help with cough?

A flower infusion is a folk remedy for cough and colds, but no clinical study confirms it. Marshmallow root is the better-documented option; see its page.

Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

  1. European Union herbal monograph on Althaea officinalis L., radixEMA HMPC · 2015 · MonographSource accessed:
  2. Proposal for an "Althaeae flos (marshmallow flower)" monograph set-up based on European Pharmacopoeia template and quality evaluation of commercial samplesActa Pharmaceutica Sciencia · 2018 · Observational study / case seriesSource accessed:

Cite This Page

Marshmallow Flower (Althaea officinalis). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/marshmallow-flower/

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