Marshamallow Althaea officinalis and uses.

article content dotArticle Content:

Traditional Applications in Herbal Medicine:Marshmallow root.

Marshmallow Root Extract INCI Name Althaea Officinalis Extract CAS 73049-65-7 EINECS ELINCS No 277-254-6 Mucilage,exopolysaccharid,althea Mortification Root Sweetweed mallards guimauve schloss tea wymote Malve Guimauve Malvavisce photo picture image Marshmallow has been used in traditional European medicines for more than two thousand years. Its therapeutic use was first recorded in the ninth century B.C.E.; it was widely used in Greek medicine. Eaten as food, its non-absorbable polysaccharides coat mucous membranes and absorb toxins.

 Valuable and handsome herb with a long tradition of use in medicine and cosmetics, and as a vegetable and confection. Cultivated by the Romans.Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) originated in central Asia but now has spread westward to Europe and eastward to China. The plant has been used since the time of the Romans when it was a vegetable delicacy. The leaves, root, and flowers are all used medicinally. Marshmallow contains mucilage polysaccharides. Mucilage can inhibit mucociliary transport, stimulate phagocytosis, suppress cough, increase the anti-inflammatory effects of desamethasone, and have hypoglycemic activity. Mucilage may also have antimicrobial, spasmolytic, antisecretory, diuretic, and wound-healing effects. In traditional folk medicines, marshmallow has been used for broncitis, cough, as well as inflammation of the mouth, throat, urinary tract, skin, and digestive system.

 Even though Marshmallow herb was the inspiration behind sweet campfire treats, its medicinal uses date back to ancient Grecian times. Hippocrates used it for the treatment of bruises and blood loss. Subsequent Roman physicians recommended it for toothaches, insect bites, chilblains, and irritated skin. Medieval European herbalists also used Marshmallow for coughs, sore throats, indigestion, and diarrhea. Today Marshmallow is used to aid the body in expelling excess fluid and mucus, and soothes and heals skin and mucous membranes.

 Marshmallow (Althea officinalis):the herb, not the white puffy confection roasted over a campfire,has been used for centuries as both a food and a medicine. Its botanical name comes from the Greek word "altho," which means "to cure." The Romans, Chinese, Egyptians, and Syrians used marshmallow as a source of food, while the Arabs made poultices from its leaves and applied this to the skin to reduce inflammation. The mucilage, or gummy secretion, in the leaves and particularly the root is helpful for soothing sore throats, chapped skin, and minor wounds.

 The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

 Abscesses (topical), antidote to poisons, aphrodisiac, arthritis, bee stings, boils (topical), bronchitis, bruises (topical), burns (topical), cancer, chilblains, colitis, congestion, constipation, cough, Crohn's disease, cystitis, demulcent, dermatitis (topical), diarrhea, diuretic, diverticulitis, duodenal ulcer, emollient, enteritis, expectorant, gastroenteritis, gum health, inflammation of the small intestine, immunostimulant, impotence, indigestion, inflammation, insect bites, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, laxative, minor wounds, mouthwash, mucilage, muscular pain, pap smear (abnormal), peptic ulcer disease, polyuria, soothing agent, sore throat, sprains, skin ulcers (topical), toothache, ulcerative colitis, urethritis, urinary tract infection, urinary tract irritation, varicose ulcers (topical), vomiting, whitening agent, whooping cough, wound healing.

 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 gastro-intestina 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.

 For many years marshmallow plants have been used to relieve coughs and sore throats, as well as for chapped skin and minor wounds.

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

 Combinations: For pulmonary problems, Althaea herba may be combined with Marrubium, Glycyrrhiza and/or Tussilago. In ulcerative conditions, both internal or external, Althaea radix may be combined with Symphytum. It may also be used with Glycyrrhiza, Marrubium and/or Lobelia for coughs, and with Ulmus as a poultice or ointment for wounds, ulcers, boils and eczema.

 Marshmallow (not to be confused with confectionery marshmallows, which are a product of the modern food industry) has long been used to treat coughs and sore throats.Because of its high mucilage content, this plant is soothing and healing to inflamed mucous membranes. Additionally, it was used to treat chapped skin, chilblains, and even minor wounds.

 Althaea root is used primarily for digestive problems and topically on the skin, whilst the leaf is used particularly to treat the lungs and the urinary system, although both root and leaf have similar properties.

 The leaves and roots boiled in water, with Parsley or Fennel roots and applied warm to the belly, helps to open the body and cool hot agues. It gives abundance of milk to nursing mothers. The decoction of the seed in milk or wine helps pleurisy and other diseases of the chest and lungs.

 The juice drank in wine helps women to a speedy and easy delivery. The leaves bruised and laid to the eyes with a little honey, takes away the imposthumations of them. For stings of bees or wasps, the leaves bruised and rubbed into the place will take away the pain, inflammation and swelling.

 A poultice made of the leaves with some Bean or Barley-flour, and Oil of Roses, is an especial remedy against all hard tumours and inflammations, imposthumes, or swellings of the testicles. The juice boiled in oil takes away roughness of the skin, scurf or dry scabs in the head. An excellent gargle to heal sore throat or mouth is made by boiling the flowers in oil or water and adding a little honey and Alum. The roots boiled in wine or honeyed water and drank is of special use for coughs, hoarseness, shortness of breath and wheezing.

 The roots and seeds boiled in wine or water are profitable against ruptures, cramps or convulsions of the sinews, and boiled in white wine for kernels that rise behind the ears, and inflammations or swellings in women's breasts. The mucilage of the roots, with Linseed and Fenugreek, is much used in poultices, ointments and plasters to mollify and digest hard swellings and to ease pains in any part of the body.

Last PageNext Page

Reference:

citations1.Marshamallow Althaea officinalis and uses.

last edit date:31th,May.2009.