Marshmallow Root for Skin Health

Research suggests that marshmallow root and its constituent compounds show promise for several aspects of skin health, including reducing inflammation in atopic dermatitis, supporting wound healing, and offering some protection against UVA-induced DNA damage in skin cells. Studies indicate that its polysaccharides and other plant compounds may promote collagen production, fibroblast activity, and blood vessel formation in animal wound-healing models, while a small pilot clinical trial in children found a 1% marshmallow ointment comparable to hydrocortisone for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis over four weeks. The body of evidence currently consists primarily of animal studies, laboratory experiments, formulation research, and a single small pilot trial, with traditional and historical use documented across Persian medical texts and contemporary ethnobotanical records — meaning the overall evidence base remains preliminary and human clinical trials are largely absent. Limitations across these studies include small sample sizes, reliance on animal or cell-based models, and the frequent use of multi-ingredient preparations that make it difficult to attribute effects to marshmallow root alone, so while the findings are encouraging, broader and more rigorous human research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.