Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- May delay absorption of oral medications -- timing separation recommended
- Mild hypoglycemic activity
- Rare allergic reactions in Malvaceae family-sensitive individuals
Contraindications
- May delay absorption of oral medications -- timing separation recommended
- Mild hypoglycemic activity
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Marshmallow root contains mucilaginous polysaccharides used for soothing mucous membranes, gastric inflammation, and dry cough. Very low toxicity. May slow absorption of orally co-administered medications due to mucilaginous coating.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Althaea officinalis
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- May delay absorption of oral medications -- timing separation recommended
- Mild hypoglycemic activity
- Rare allergic reactions in Malvaceae family-sensitive individuals
The available scientific evidence for Marshmallow Root indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 9/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 9/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 22:40
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAntimicrobial and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous, Methanolic, and a Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Extracts of Althaea officinalis. ↗Khodadadi H et al.. Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous, Methanolic, and a Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Extracts of Althaea officinalis.. Scientifica (Cairo). 2026. PMID:41757369.PMID 41757369 ↗Journal Scientifica (Cairo)Year 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41757369/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAnthelmintic Activity of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in Europe. ↗Boyko O et al.. Anthelmintic Activity of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in Europe.. Biology (Basel). 2025. PMID:41463411.PMID 41463411 ↗Journal Biology (Basel)Year 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41463411/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBiofilm-inhibiting ZnO@Eggshell nanocomposites: green synthesis, characterization, and biomedical potential. ↗u015eensoy Gu00fcn B et al.. Biofilm-inhibiting ZnO@Eggshell nanocomposites: green synthesis, characterization, and biomedical potential.. Biometals. 2025. PMID:40601177.PMID 40601177 ↗Journal BiometalsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40601177/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAugmented Marshmallow Extract Lipid Nanoparticles with Clove Oil Embedded in Collagen Sponge for Ultimate Antimicrobial Healing of Diabetic Mouth Ulcer. ↗Elhabal SF et al.. Augmented Marshmallow Extract Lipid Nanoparticles with Clove Oil Embedded in Collagen Sponge for Ultimate Antimicrobial Healing of Diabetic Mouth Ulcer.. Pharmaceutics. 2025. PMID:40430902.PMID 40430902 ↗Journal PharmaceuticsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40430902/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInterplay Between Traditional and Scientific Knowledge: Phytoconstituents and Their Roles in Lung and Colorectal Cancer Signaling Pathways. ↗Imtiaz I et al.. Interplay Between Traditional and Scientific Knowledge: Phytoconstituents and Their Roles in Lung and Colorectal Cancer Signaling Pathways.. Biomolecules. 2025. PMID:40149916.PMID 40149916 ↗Journal BiomoleculesYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40149916/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDevelopment of multifunctional agar/u03ba-carrageenan/kaolinite hydrogels: Role of tetracycline and marshmallow extract loading in antibacterial and controlled release properties. ↗Khazaei S et al.. Development of multifunctional agar/u03ba-carrageenan/kaolinite hydrogels: Role of tetracycline and marshmallow extract loading in antibacterial and controlled release properties.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2025. PMID:40120909.PMID 40120909 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40120909/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAromatic plants as cosmeceuticals: benefits and applications for skin health. ↗Olivero-Verbel J et al.. Aromatic plants as cosmeceuticals: benefits and applications for skin health.. Planta. 2024. PMID:39500772.PMID 39500772 ↗Journal PlantaYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39500772/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTherapeutic Effects of Althaea officinalis L. and Metformin on Estradiol-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats: Insights into The PI3K/AKT Pathway, Inflammation, and… ↗Gao J et al.. Therapeutic Effects of Althaea officinalis L. and Metformin on Estradiol-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats: Insights into The PI3K/AKT Pathway, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress.. Cell J. 2024. PMID:39380478.PMID 39380478 ↗Journal Cell JYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39380478/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAssessing physicochemical characteristics of a shear-thinning polysaccharide mucilage extracted from marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis L.) by an ohmic heating system. ↗Rownaghi M et al.. Assessing physicochemical characteristics of a shear-thinning polysaccharide mucilage extracted from marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis L.) by an ohmic heating system.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024. PMID:39094881.PMID 39094881 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39094881/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMarshmallow. ↗Marshmallow.. 2006. PMID:30000899.PMID 30000899 ↗Year 2006Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30000899/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Marshmallow Root. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Marshmallow Root
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.