Marshmallow – An Aphrodisiac for Men

Since the earliest days, mankind has experimented with various substances in the hope of enhancing sexual desire. Known as aphrodisiac, these substances include foods, spices, herbs and even parts of animals. Most often the aphrodisiacs worked by supplying the body with nutrients essential for healthy sex and treating disorders that hinder sexual pleasure. Marshmallow is one such herb which has long been used for its aphrodisiacal and medicinal properties.

About Marshmallow

Botanically known as Althea officinalis the marshmallow plant is found in southern and Western Europe, western Asia, and the northeastern region of North America. It has been used for centuries as a source of food and a medicinal herb. The Latin appellation ‘officinalis’ was in fact used for those herbs in ancient Rome which were officially recognized as medicines and stocked at an apothecary’s. Marshmallow is not to be confused with the confectionary marshmallow, most popularly roasted over campfires in modern times. Even though the confectionary marshmallows were once made from the marshmallow plant, now they are primarily constituted of sugar. Again the marshmallow plant is different from the mallow leaf or mallow flower.

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How marshmallow works as an aphrodisiac

According to traditional sources, marshmallow was regularly used to boost the male libido and even as treatment for impotency. In fact folklore has it that marshmallow seeds would be sprinkled on the private parts of men to bring about an erotic stimulation and even help those who could not attain an erection. This could have been due to the high mucilage content of the herb which provides a pleasant sensation when applied externally on the skin and is especially soothing in cases of skin irritation. In this way, by easing discomfort in skin conditions and bringing about a sensual experience, marshmallow may have contributed to heightened sexual pleasure for men.

The most common use of marshmallow as a healing herb is in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. Several laboratory experiments carried out in the 1960s reported that marshmallow has anti-inflammatory activity and may thus be used to treat skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. This is perhaps because of marshmallow’s high mucilage content which leads the herb to have a cooling effect and which is particularly soothing in inflammatory skin conditions.

The high mucilage content in marshmallow also makes it an important remedy for a variety of gastro-intestinal conditions. The mucilage provides a protective lining on the walls of the stomach and intestines, thus forming a barrier against harsh intestinal juices that may otherwise irritate the inflamed mucous membranes. For this reason, use of marshmallow may provide relief in stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and other disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Marshmallow root extract may also bring relief in other inflammatory conditions. It may help to soothe the irritated mucosa of the respiratory tract and thus act as a remedy in coughs, asthma and allergic bronchitis. The same action may also help in inflamed conditions of the urinary tract particularly when gravel or sand is being passed through the kidneys since the mucilage acts to soothe the irritation.

While none of these benefits of marshmallow are directly related to stimulation of sexual desire, the herb’s value as a remedy for inflammatory conditions is proof of its importance in maintaining a healthy body which in turn is crucial for healthy sex.

Using marshmallow

Herbal formulations of marshmallow are usually made from the dried root of the plant or the leaves which may be either peeled or unpeeled. In commercial preparations of herbal supplements, the extract of marshmallow root and leaves are made into capsules, tinctures or liquid extract. In the form of capsules, the usual dosage is 2-6 grams per day while as a leaf tincture, an adult may take 1 - 2 tsp (1:5 in 25% ethanol), two to three times daily

When being used internally, marshmallow is not boiled or even infused in boiling water since heat destroys the mucilaginous properties of the herb. It is more usual to prepare marshmallow tea by cold water extraction. To do this, one tablespoon of dried leaves or dried powdered root is placed in a cup and covered with cold water. After allowing it to stand for the night, the liquid is strained, gently warmed and then used.

As a treatment for skin inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis, the usual dosage is 5-10 grams of marshmallow in ointment or cream base or 5% powdered marshmallow leaf applied to the skin three times daily. In case of oral administration, doses of 5 grams of marshmallow leaf or 6 grams of marshmallow root are usually suggested. To provide relief in oral and pharyngeal irritation, 2 grams of marshmallow is usually soaked for two hours in 1 cup of cold water, after which the liquid is used as a gargle.

Possible side effects of using marshmallow

Historically, marshmallow is regarded as one of the safest herbs to use. However people with known allergic reaction to plants in the same family should be careful while using marshmallow.

In some animal studies, oral use of marshmallow has been related to a drop in blood glucose levels. This means that people with diabetes and hypoglycemia should avoid using marshmallow. For the same reason those taking medication or supplements affecting blood sugar levels should exercise the greatest caution if using marshmallow since even an apparently normal dose can lead to a dangerous fluctuation in blood sugar levels in the body.

Again because of its high mucilage content, marshmallow may delay the absorption of other agents in the body and so the herb should be taken one hour before or two hours after other drugs.

Pregnant and lactating women are best advised to avoid marshmallow as indeed any herb whose safety has not been proven in scientific studies. Children and young people below eighteen years of age should also avoid use of the herb.

As an aphrodisiac Marshmallow does not have a fantastic effect on sexual arousal of a person. Rather it works by creating physical conditions conducive for sensual pleasure and thus contributing to sexual delight.