The Role of Marshmallow and Pepsin

The combination of marshmallow and pepsin is a powerful mixture that soothes and aids the digestive system, especially the digestion of protein.  Any reputable colon cleansing program will have marshmallow and pepsin in it because of its ability to ‘strip’ the intestines clean of the thick gooey build-up that results from eating sugar and white flour.   For a more practical and less medical analogy: Marshmallow and pepsin are to the small intestines what Tilex® is to soap scum.  This is especially important in cleansing the small intestines, which most colon cleansing programs fail to attend to. 

The combination of marshmallow and pepsin can help reduce gastrointestinal problems, including intestinal inflammation, bloating, flatulence and infection.  Due to the nature of their improving digestion, marshmallow and pepsin help reduce allergies and respiratory problems as well as soothe peptic ulcers.  Undigested proteins are considered by many to be a major contributor to the conditions mentioned previously.  Marshmallow and pepsin can also strengthen the intestinal tract by cleaning the side of the small intestine.  Marshmallow and pepsin not only aid in digestions, but also help reduce respiratory problems, which may be caused by undigested proteins.  The herb combination is beneficial in relieving allergies, congestion, coughing and hay fever. 

Warning: Science Content

Marshmallow
Marshmallow is a very beneficial herb for reducing inflammation and has a very calming effect on the body.  It also contains mucilage, which is a substance that helps to soothe inflamed tissues, thus it makes an ideal herb for treating respiratory problems.

The leaves, flowers and the root all have medicinal properties. The leaves, which are collected in summer as the plant begins to flower, have expectorant, diuretic, and emollient properties. The leaves are generally used in ailments of the lungs and the urinary systems, specifically in urethritis and kidney stones. The root, which is harvested in late autumn, has demulcent, diuretic, emollient, and vulnerary properties. It is generally used for digestive and skin problems, specifically inflammations of the mouth, gastritis, peptic ulcer, enteritis and colitis. It increases the flow of breast milk and soothes the bronchial tubes. It has been used to treat constipation as well as irritable bowel syndrome. Externally the root is used in treating varicose veins, ulcers, abscesses, and boils.

Pepsin
Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that is naturally produced in the body and aids in the digestion of proteins.  It also enhances the metabolism and assists in the process of removing wastes and toxins from the small intestine and colon. Pepsin is also an essential enzyme that helps with the absorption of important nutrients during digestion.

More about Pepsin
In the stomach, chief cells release pepsinogen. This zymogen is activated by hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is released from certain cells in the stomach lining. Hormones trigger the release of both pepsinogen and HCl from the stomach lining when food is ingested. HCl creates an acidic environment which allows pepsinogen to unfold and cleave itself in an autocatalytic fashion, thereby generating pepsin (the active form). Pepsin may then cleave the dietary proteins into smaller peptides. These peptides may be further digested by other proteases and eventually absorbed by the body.  Pepsin is stored as pepsinogen so it will only be released when needed, and does not digest the body's own proteins in the stomach's lining.