🧬 The Science Behind It

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is rich in mucilage polysaccharides, which have been shown to:

  • Coat and soothe the mucous membranes of the digestive tract [1]
  • Help relieve irritation in cases of gut inflammation or acid sensitivity [2]
  • Support gut lining integrity and reduce intestinal permeability in preclinical models [3]
  • Exhibit antioxidant and mild antimicrobial activity, contributing to overall gut wellness [4]

Because mucilage acts physically (rather than systemically), its benefits don’t rely on digestion or absorption — instead, it works on contact. This makes it especially helpful for the upper GI tract, and a beautiful botanical pairing with deeper-acting herbs like chicory and fennel.

✨ Flavor Profile

Gentle and grounding, marshmallow root doesn’t shout — it lingers. With soft earthy sweetness and a whisper of woodland warmth, it rounds out brighter notes like cardamom and fennel, giving the honey a plush, mellow base.

It’s not the toasted campfire marshmallow you may be imagining. This is the true root — ancient, subtle, and softly vegetal — creating a smooth canvas that lets other flavors rise, while offering a quiet complexity of its own. Think of it as the “base note” of a fragrance: grounding the blend and deepening the experience.

Why We Chose Marshmallow root

Marshmallow root has been used for centuries in traditional herbalism to soothe, coat, and calm. Its high mucilage content forms a soft gel-like texture when steeped — a quality that inspired its use for throat and digestive comfort since ancient Egypt.

In Your Other Honey, this root is part of the BeeBiome™ blend — supporting the gut lining and mucosal layers that form the body’s first line of defense. It’s also one of the most gentle, skin-friendly, and internally balancing herbs, making it ideal for a daily ritual.

It doesn’t just support the honey’s function — it enhances the feel of the blend too. Slightly plush, a little velvety — it softens and deepens the flavor, bringing a grounded calm to each spoonful.

🔎 Quick Cheat Sheet

  • 🩵 Contains mucilage polysaccharides, known to coat and soothe the gut lining
  • 🌱 Traditionally used to support mucosal health and digestive comfort
  • 🛡️ Helps protect and calm the gastrointestinal tract during occasional irritation
  • 🌸 Provides gentle, grounding support in botanical blends
  • 🧬 Contains antioxidant flavonoids that contribute to gut resilience
  • ✨ Adds a subtle, plush depth to the honey’s overall flavor
  • 🤍 A quiet hero in our BeeBiome™ blend for daily gut ritual support

ℹ️ A Note About Marshmallow Root

  • Marshmallow is a flowering herb that has been used for centuries to soothe and protect the gut
  • Its roots are naturally rich in mucilage, a gel-like compound that supports digestive comfort
  • Traditionally brewed as tea or used topically, it’s long valued for its calming and restorative qualities
  • We include it for its gentle, grounding properties — a quiet ally in your daily ritual

📚 Sources

  1. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. “A Review of the Bioactivity and Potential Health Benefits of Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis).” Phytother Res. 2006;20(11):935–946.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16906646/
  2. Khan A, Kausar S, Bashir S, et al. “Anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective potential of Althaea officinalis root extract in experimental models.” Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017;30(6):2221–2226.
    https://www.pjps.pk/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/30/6/PJPS_30_6_27.pdf
  3. Nosalova G, Mokry J, Hassan KM. “Antitussive activity of the Althaea officinalis L. (marshmallow) root extract in animal model.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2003;88(1):137–140.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00219-2
  4. Batiha GE, Magdy Beshbishy A, El-Mleeh A, et al. “Bioactive compounds and pharmacological mechanisms of Althaea officinalis L.: A comprehensive review.” Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:578249.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.578249
  5. European Medicines Agency. “Assessment report on Althaea officinalis L., radix.” EMA/HMPC/418072/2010.
    https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-althaea-officinalis-l-radix_en.pdf
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. References are provided for educational purposes and relate to the cited ingredients, not necessarily to this product as used.

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