Background: Cough preparations containing aqueous marshmallow root extracts (Althaea officinalis) have a long history as medicinal products in Germany. The aim of the 2 prospective, non-interventional surveys reported here was to create a better documentation of the users' impression of the effectiveness and tolerability, and user satisfaction. Methods: Consumers (n = 822) buying either lozenges or syrup of the aqueous marshmallow root extract STW42 to treat their dry cough were recruited in pharmacies in 2 independently performed surveys. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire covering a treatment duration of 7 days so that the course of symptoms could be documented, and the overall effectiveness, tolerability and satisfaction assessed. Results: This consumer-reported outcome shows that both preparations showed a good effect with respect to the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal irritation and associated dry cough with a very rapid onset of effects, in the majority of cases within 10 min. The tolerability was very good (with only 3 minor adverse events for the syrup). Conclusion: The results of the surveys justify the long-established use of both marshmallow preparations for symptomatic treatment of dry cough.

Keywords:
Althaea officinalis, Cough, Safety, Effectiveness, Onset of effects
1.
Kardos P, Berck H, Fuchs K-H, Gillissen A, Klimek L, Morr H, Pfeiffer-Kascha D, Schultze-Werninghaus G, Sitter H, Voshaar T, Worth H: Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin zur Diagnostik und Therapie von erwachsenen Patienten mit akutem und chronischem Husten. Pneumologie 2010;64:701-711.
2.
German Commission E. Monograph: Althaea officinalis. Bundesanzeiger 1989;43(2. March).
3.
WHO: Radix Althaeae. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, vol 2. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2004.
4.
ESCOP: Althaeae radix, marshmallow root; in European Scientific Cooperation on Phytotherapy (ed): ESCOP Monographs: the Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Stuttgart, Thieme, 2003, pp 32-35.
5.
Herbal Medicinal Products Committee: Community Herbal Monograph on Althaea officinalis L., Radix. London, European Medicines Agency, 2016.
6.
Distler PG, Hensel A: Echter Eibisch (Althaea officinalis L.): traditionelle Heilpflanze und neue Erkenntnisse zur Wirkweise. Z Phytother 2009;30:292-296.
7.
Fasse M, Zieseniß E, Bässler D: Trockener Reizhusten bei Kindern - eine Anwendungsbeobachtung mit Eibisch-Sirup. päd Prakt Pädiatrie 2005;11:3-8.
8.
Schmidgall J, Schnetz E, Hensel A: Evidence for bioadhesive effects of polysaccharides and polysaccharide-containing herbs in an ex vivo bioadhesion assay on buccal membranes. Planta Med 2000;66:48-53.
9.
Deters A, Zippel J, Hellenbrand N, Pappai D, Possemeyer C, Hensel A: Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althaea officinalis L.): cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;127:62-69.
10.
Mehreen A, Waheed M, Liaqat I, Arshad N: Phytochemical, antimicrobial, and toxicological evaluation of traditional herbs used to treat sore throat. Biomed Res Int 2016;2016:8503426.
11.
Ebell MH, Lundgren J, Youngpairoj S: How long does a cough last? Comparing patients' expectations with data from a systematic review of the literature. Ann Fam Med 2013;11:5-13.
© 2018 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
2018
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.