Marshmallow Root and DGL for Dogs: Soothing Botanicals for Digestion

Some of the most valuable digestive ingredients are also the oldest. Marshmallow root and licorice have been used for digestive comfort across cultures for centuries, and modern formulas still reach for them because they work through a simple, gentle mechanism. They form a soothing coating over the digestive lining. Here is what these soothing botanicals do, and why the right form of each one matters.

What are soothing botanicals?

Soothing botanicals, sometimes called demulcents, are plant ingredients that form a gel-like, protective layer over mucous membranes. In the gut, that means a gentle coating along the digestive tract that helps calm and protect the lining. They work at the surface, complementing ingredients that support the gut at the cellular and microbial levels.

Two of the most respected are marshmallow root and deglycyrrhizinated licorice.

Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

Despite the name, marshmallow root has nothing to do with the campfire treat. It is a traditional botanical valued for its high content of mucilage, a thick, gel-like substance that swells when it meets liquid.

That mucilage is the whole point. As it moves through the digestive tract, it forms a soothing, protective coating over the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. The result is gentle, plant-based support that helps maintain a healthy, comfortable digestive lining. Because it is so gentle, marshmallow root has long been a go-to choice for sensitive digestion.

DGL: a smarter form of licorice

Licorice root has its own long history of traditional use for digestive support, but whole licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin that is not ideal for regular, everyday use.

The solution is DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice. This is licorice root that has been carefully processed to remove the glycyrrhizin, leaving the supportive botanical compounds behind in a form better suited to daily use. DGL helps maintain the healthy mucus layer that lines the stomach and upper digestive tract, adding a complementary layer of botanical support alongside marshmallow root. Choosing the deglycyrrhizinated form is a deliberate quality decision, not a shortcut.

How the two work together

Marshmallow root and DGL are natural partners. Marshmallow root brings its mucilage coating across the digestive tract, while DGL focuses support on the stomach and upper tract. Together they provide gentle, surface-level support that complements the deeper pathways in a complete formula.

In EmpiriVita 02 Digestive, these botanicals work alongside L-Glutamine, which fuels the gut lining at the cellular level, and a probiotic pair that supports microbial balance. The formula includes 300 mg of marshmallow root and 200 mg of DGL per scoop, each listed openly on the label. See how it all fits together in our complete ingredient guide.

Why surface-level support completes the picture

A digestive supplement that only adds probiotics is addressing one layer of a multi-layered system. Soothing botanicals add the surface-level coating, foundational amino acids support the gut wall, prebiotics feed the microbiome, and probiotics add beneficial microbes. Each piece does something the others cannot, which is the idea behind a multi-pathway approach.

Frequently asked questions

EmpiriVita 02 Digestive is a supplement intended to support normal digestive structure and function. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your veterinarian with any health concerns.