Interstitial Cystitis Advice

Marshmallow; what's the first thing that pops into your head when you hear this word? Gooey, golden smores or perhaps Rice Krispie squares? For most of us the first thought is one of food, but long before the word marshmallow became synonymous with campfires everywhere it established it,s roots deep in the world of herbal medicine (modern day confectionary marshmallows no longer contain any marshmallow plant properties).

"Whoever swallows daily half a cyathus of the juice of any one of them (the mallows) will be immune to all disease"
Pliny, AD 77

While I think our good friend Pliny was over exaggerating a little, it is true that the Althaea (or Althea) Officinalis or Marshmallow, a member of the Malvaceae plant family does have healing properties. In fact the word "Altho" is Greek for "to heal" or "to cure" and the use of marshmallow plants for medicinal purposes stretches all the way back to the ancient Egyptians and Syrians. Traditionally, Arabian doctors applied marshmallow plant leaves as a skin poultice to reduce inflammation. Marshmallow plants originally grew in wet, marshy areas of Southern and Western Europe, Western Asia and North America but is now cultivated around the world. Marshmallow is related to the common mallow and hollyhock and is a perennial flower with pink flowers and thick white roots. The aerial parts are harvested in the summer, whilst the roots are collected in autumn. The mallow family is an extensive one; comprised of over 1000 different species, with all members having similar properties. Mallows contain asparagin, volatile oil, cellulose, tannins, sugar, starch, glutinous matter, phosphate of lime, mucilage and pectin. Medicinally, the root that is very mucilaginous, the flowers, the leaves and the gummy secretion they produce, are all used. Both leaves and root have also been used as a vegetable throughout history. The main vitamins and minerals in marshmallows are Calcium, Iodine, Iron, Pantothenic acid, Sodium, Vitamins A and B-complex.

You may be asking what marshmallow does to a body. Well, it has multiple functions, working as an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant (an agent to help ease inflammation), emollient (an agent used externally to soften and soothe), diuretic (an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which in turn cleanses the urinary system), a demulcent (a substance that soothes inflamed mucous membranes and protects them from irritation) and has general soothing abilities, all properties which naturally points marshmallow to Interstitial Cystitis.

Marshmallow is typically taken as a tea from the dried leaves/roots, or in powdered form, as an extract (syrup), tincture or in a capsule or tablet (available coated and uncoated) that is made from leaves, flowers and/or roots. In IC bladders it is thought that marshmallow helps to create a natural protective barrier or shield on the bladder lining, thus providing a soothing layer between the inside of the bladder and potentially harmful/aggravating/painful substance which pass through and come in contact with the bladder lining. In some respects marshmallow could be said to be similar to the IC drug, Elmiron, which also works to coat the bladder lining. It is the mucilage aspects of marshmallow that is thought to provide the soothing affect by reducing local irritation and inflammation, aiding in infection healing (if present), boosting the immune system and inhibiting mucocilary activity. If you are taking other medications in conjunction with marshmallow the absorption rate of the other drugs may be affected, so it is a good idea to discuss marshmallow root (or any other supplement, vitamin or herb) with your doctor and/or naturopath before starting on it.

Like with the majority of herbal supplements and treatments marshmallow root garners different effects on different people. Some IC patients discover marked improvement to their symptoms (often in terms of frequency reductions and decreased bladder pain), others feel nothing and still others feel that their symptoms are worsened and thus stop taking marshmallow. Some patients initially find the capsule/tablet extract forms to be too harsh or painful for their bladders. In that case it's a good idea to opt for a tea, made very weakly from the roots and leaves or powdered form of marshmallow. There is a common misconception that the more of a substance you put into your body the more likely it is to work. In fact this is commonly not the case with herbal medications, and you may be surprised to see what effect even just very weak tea can have on your body and bladder. A few grams of leaves/root prepared as a tea can be made with at least a litre of very hot water, and the leaves discarded after seeping for a few minutes. Or alternatively soak it in cold water for a few hours and strain before drinking, you don't need to down gallons by any means, starting with just a few sips a day and adjusting to how you feel is the best way to start off.

Marshmallow is becoming increasingly easier to find in naturopath stores and vitamin shops, as well it is available from many online sources (to ensure quality it is best to use a trusted site or well known brand). I have personally used both capsule and tea and find that my bladder better responds to the tea, drunken in about ½ cup quantities. If you find the taste unpleasant (if you make the tea weak, the flavor is not very distinct, a little reminiscent of turnips to me), try combining marshmallow root with other herbs you are already taking or infusing decaffeinated chamomile (which most IC patients can handle) tea with marshmallow. Allow yourself a few weeks to see if you notice any positive effects (discontinue if symptoms flare for more then a couple days or immediately if symptoms go haywire).

Marshmallow is a welcome addition to many ICer's medicine cabinet - and one I thoroughly recommend you try for yourself, after all Pliny does seem to have known his stuff.