Medicinal Plants : Althaea officinalis

Name

Marshmallow

Biological Name

Althaea officinalis
Malvaceae

Other Names

Marshmallow, althea, sweet weed, mallards, guimauve, mortification plant, schloss tea, wymote

Description

Native of Europe; cultivated in the USA. Tough-rooted herbaceous perennial, 4 ft. Velvety stems and leaves; white or pink flowers in leaf axils in late summer. Found in damp, often saline places.

Parts Used

Root and leaf

Active Compounds

In the root:

• Mucilage, l8-35%; consisting of a number of polysaccharides; one is composed of L-rhamnose, D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid and D-glucuronic acid in the ratio 3:2:3:3, another a highly branched L-arabifurranan, another a trisaccharide structural unit and one with a high proportion of uronic acid units.
  
  
• Miscellaneous; about 35% pectin, l-2% asparagine, tannins.
  

In the leaves:

• Mucilage; including a low molecular weight D-glucan
  
  
• Flavanoids such a kaempferol, quercitin and diosmetin glucosides
  
  
• Scopoletin, a coumarin
  
  
• Polyphenolic acids, including syringic, caffeic, salicyclic, vanillic, p-coumaric etc.

History

Valuable and handsome herb with a long tradition of use in medicine and cosmetics, and as a vegetable and confection. Cultivated by the Romans.

Remedies For

Demulcent, emmolient, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, mucilaginous.

Its abundance of mucilage makes Marshmallow an excellent demulcent that is indicated wherever such an action is called for. The roots have been used for the digestive system whilst the leaves are used for the urinary system and lungs. All inflammatory conditions of the G-I tract will benefit from its use, e.g. inflammations of the mouth, gastritis, peptic ulceration, colitis etc.. The leaves help in cystitis, urethritis and urinary gravel as well as bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, irritating coughs.

Externally the herb is often used in drawing ointments for abscesses and boils or as an emollient for varicose veins and ulcers.

Combinations : As one of the most effective and safest demulcents, it may be used in any situation where this action is appropriate.

Dosage

1-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

A cold infusion of the roots should be made with 2-4 gms. to a cup of cold water and left to infuse over night.

Safety

Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.