Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root suppliers and sourcing guide
Marshmallow root is the dried root of Althaea officinalis, a perennial in the mallow family (Malvaceae) cultivated in Europe and harvested in autumn from plants two or more years old. The root is peeled or unpeeled, cut and dried, and sold as cut-and-sifted root for teas, as powder, or as water or glycerin extracts. Its mucilage (polysaccharides) is the usual quality marker, measured by swelling index or a polysaccharide assay.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Althaea officinalis · althea root · marsh mallow root · white mallow
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of marshmallow root
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cut and sifted root
Dried root cut to a tea grade. The spec should say peeled or unpeeled.
Root powder
Dried, milled root for capsules and blends.
Dry extract
Water extract concentrated and dried, sometimes on a carrier, sold by drug-to-extract ratio.
Liquid extract
Glycerin or water-alcohol extract for syrups and tinctures.
Organic
Root from certified organic farms, with the certificate tied to the lot.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- Macroscopic and microscopic examination and HPTLC fingerprint against Althaea officinalis root reference material.
- Swelling index
- Pharmacopoeial swelling index as a measure of mucilage content.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella (often Staphylococcus aureus too). Mucilaginous roots often carry high counts, so many lots are steam treated.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
- Physical tests
- Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density, color and odor against the spec.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep root and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry room. The mucilage absorbs water, so humid storage leads to caking and mold. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, and swelling index and microbiology are rechecked at retest.
Lots and expiry dates
Mucilage and microbial counts vary with harvest, root age and drying, so check each lot. Record supplier lot, peeled or unpeeled status and any steam treatment, and rotate first-expiry-first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 172.510 lists althea root and flowers (Althea officinalis) among natural flavoring substances that may be safely used in food.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists althea root (Althea officinalis) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.510.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's marshmallow root natural health product monograph lists Althaea officinalis with the dried root as the source part.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Althaea officinalis (POL-NF-00112) concerns the whole plant and lists it as not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Marshmallow root suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking marshmallow root suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell marshmallow root? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of marshmallow root can brands buy?
Common forms include cut and sifted root, root powder, dry extract, liquid extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for marshmallow root include?
Expect identity, swelling index, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should marshmallow root be stored?
Keep root and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry room. The mucilage absorbs water, so humid storage leads to caking and mold. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, and swelling index and microbiology are rechecked at retest.
What is the regulatory status of marshmallow root?
21 CFR 172.510 lists althea root and flowers (Althea officinalis) among natural flavoring substances that may be safely used in food. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists althea root (Althea officinalis) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.510. Health Canada's marshmallow root natural health product monograph lists Althaea officinalis with the dried root as the source part. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Althaea officinalis (POL-NF-00112) concerns the whole plant and lists it as not novel in food supplements.
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