Dry cough associated with pharyngeal irritation: Survey on Althea officinalis L.

According to a monograph of the European regulatory authority EMA, herbal preparations from Althaea officinalis L, radix (marshmallow root) are used as a demulcent preparation for the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal irritation and associated dry cough (1). The two prospective, non-interventional studies reported here aimed on creating a better documentation of the users' impression of the effectiveness and tolerability and their satisfaction.

In two independently performed surveys with altogether 822 consumers buying either lozenges or syrup of the aqueous Marshmallow root extract STW42 for treatment of their dry cough were recruited in pharmacies. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire covering a treatment duration of seven days for the documentation of the course of symptoms, and the global assessments of effectiveness, tolerability and satisfaction.

The users stated 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 minutes. The tolerability was very good (3 minor adverse events for the syrup).

The results of the surveys support the long-standing use of Marshmallow root syrop and lozenges for symptomatic treatment of dry cough.

[1] European Union herbal monograph on Althaea officinalis L, radix, EMA/HMPC/436679/2015