Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Marshmallow Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Marshmallow is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for cough and sore throat, dry mouth and throat irritation, digestive upset and heartburn.Based on those ingredients, 2,040 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Marshmallow. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: marshmallow root or leaf extract in capsule form. Marshmallow is a plant whose parts have been used in traditional medicine, most commonly for digestive and respiratory support.

The capsule itself is an inactive ingredient.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Marshmallow's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: respiratory support and digestive soothing.
  • We looked for evidence on: Respiratory tract infections, cough, sore throat, throat irritation.
  • The closest evidence on file: Marshmallow is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for ACE inhibitor-induced cough (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Marshmallow is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Respiratory tract infections, Cough.

The evidence for marshmallow isn't yet established in our data. The product is studied for vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis), diarrhea, leg ulcers, eczema (atopic dermatitis), and respiratory infections, but the data we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate how well it works for any of these.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Marshmallow

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 0 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Marshmallow is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though human safety data are limited. The safety information we hold advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding due to not enough reliable data to know it's safe.

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinking about it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Marshmallow

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Marshmallow.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; lithium.
  • For scale: 2,041 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take lithium for bipolar disorder, check with your doctor or pharmacist first—marshmallow may raise lithium levels and require a dose adjustment. Also double-check if you're on blood thinners (anticoagulants) or antiplatelet drugs, and space marshmallow at least 30 to 60 minutes away from any other oral medications to keep them from being absorbed less well.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and some safety-information gaps remain.

Marshmallow may be worth considering if you're looking for traditional digestive or respiratory support, but the evidence for its benefits isn't yet solid in our data. If you take lithium or blood thinners, you'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding it—spacing it away from other oral medications also helps.

Talk it over with your own healthcare provider to see if it fits your situation.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Marshmallow, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904004405
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 278167
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
099904004405
IngredientAmount% DV
Marshmallow450 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

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.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

Formulation

Traditional respiratory support Soothes digestion naturally

Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 1 capsule with a meal twice daily.

See for yourself

Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Marshmallow

Interacts with
2,040 drugs
450 mg per serving

Marshmallow root is a traditional herb rich in soothing, gel-like fibers called mucilage, which is why it has long been used for coughs, sore throats,...

Marshmallow monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Marshmallow?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2,040Drugs
1 Moderate 2,039 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Marshmallow 2,040

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Marshmallow with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Marshmallow3 drug types · 2,040 drugs

Lithium

Theoretically, due to potential diuretic effects, marshmallow might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.
Marshmallow is thought to have diuretic properties. To avoid lithium toxicity, the dose of lithium might need to be decreased when used with marshmallow.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, marshmallow flower might have antiplatelet effects.
Animal research suggests that marshmallow flower extract has antiplatelet effects. However, the root and leaf of marshmallow, not the flower, are the plant parts most commonly found in dietary supplements. Theoretically, use of marshmallow flower with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs can have additive effects, and might increase the risk for bleeding in some patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Oral Drugs

Theoretically, mucilage in marshmallow might impair absorption of oral drugs.
Marshmallow contains mucilage which can affect oral drug absorption. To avoid changes in absorption, take marshmallow 30-60 minutes after oral medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Marshmallow, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
Utah
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Marshmallow by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Marshmallow has a known interaction with 2,040 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Marshmallow contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety information we hold advises against marshmallow during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough reliable data to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What is marshmallow used for?
Marshmallow has been used traditionally for digestive and respiratory support. The product is studied for conditions like diarrhea, yeast infections, eczema, and respiratory infections, but we don't yet have enough reliable evidence to confirm how well it works for any of them.
Are there any side effects?
No adverse effects are documented in the data we hold. Marshmallow is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though human safety data are limited.
Will this slow down my other medications?
Yes—marshmallow contains a thick substance called mucilage that can slow how well your body absorbs oral drugs. To avoid that, take marshmallow 30 to 60 minutes after your other medications.
Is this safe if I take lithium?
Not without checking first. Marshmallow may have diuretic effects that could raise lithium levels in your blood and cause toxicity. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist—they may need to adjust your lithium dose if you use both.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Marshmallow is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Marshmallow label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Marshmallow's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 5 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Marshmallow 5 references
  1. Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Co-op Phytother, 1997.
  2. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  4. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  5. Hage-Sleiman R, Mroueh M, Daher CF. Pharmacological evaluation of aqueous extract of Althaea officinalis flower grown in Lebanon. Pharm Biol 2011;49(3):327-33.

See these in context on the Marshmallow monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring