It’s not just a sweet treat used for s’mores.
Supermodel Miranda Kerr recently shared on the “Let’s Be Honest with Kristen Cavallari” podcast one of her secrets for good gut health, naming a plant that many are familiar with — at least, in terms of its name.
The herbal remedy may be good for more than just the gut, too, providing a boost to skin and a remedy for sore throats and coughs.
Native to Europe and Western Asia, the marshmallow plant, also known as Althaea officinalis, dates back to ancient Greece for medicinal uses — and now wellness influencers and models are brewing tea with it.
Discussing her unique diet, Kerr shared with host Cavallari some unusual additions when asked what healthy eating looks like to her.
Before she eats breakfast or even sits down for her morning coffee with coconut milk, the former Victoria’s Secret model starts her day with a 30-millimeter shot of Noni juice — what she calls a “superfood superfruit” — followed by some marshmallow tea.
Crushing the marshmallow leaf and brewing it with hot water, the 43-year-old founder of skincare line Kora Organics then sips the tea, followed by a few tablespoons of coconut yogurt with some honey.
It’s “good for the gut lining,” explained Kerr.
Not only may this plant improve digestion, but research suggests it helps several conditions, such as asthma, Crohn’s disease and skin inflammation, as well as improving skin health and urinary tract function.
The fibrous root and leaves of this edible plant are rich in a natural fiber called mucilage that — when mixed with water— forms a gel that soothes the throat.
Additional benefits include loosening mucus and preventing bacteria from growing in the throat.
The mucilage consumed from marshmallow tea may also help improve gut health by lining the stomach and esophagus to reduce irritation from acid reflux or leaky gut, while extract from the flowers have been shown to reduce the development of stomach ulcers in rats.
The antibacterial effects of the plant could also speed up wound healing, as a 2015 animal study found that marshmallow root extract may treat bacteria.
A 2011 animal study discovered that taking liquid marshmallow flower extract for one month improved HDL or “good” cholesterol levels, promoting better heart health and potentially reducing cardiovascular disease.
Older research found that topical application of marshmallow root could relieve irritation and inflammation from sun exposure or conditions like eczema, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
However, many of the studies involving marshmallow root are animal studies, very small-scale human studies or in vitro studies — experiments performed outside of a living organism.
False claims that eating marshmallow candy would treat a cold went viral on social media, with a number of videos showing people consuming the dessert straight from the bag.
However, the processed version of marshmallows found on store shelves today are almost pure sugar and don’t come from the plant.
Kerr previously revealed she was diagnosed with proctitis — a form of irritable bowel syndrome — while pregnant six years earlier, which prompted her to change her diet.
“I love food, but when I got sick, I had to learn even more that food is medicine,” Kerr told Cavallari.
“I love to have nutritious and delicious foods that feed my soul,” she added. “But at the same time, I don’t crave, like, unhealthy food anymore because I know how detrimental that can be to my body on the inside.”
