Marshamallow Althaea officinalis and uses.

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History and folklore: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 Used in 200 Bc under the Greek name Althea of "to heal".
 The family name, Malvaceae comes from the Greek word malake or "soft" referring to the soft mucilaginous character of the plant.
 Theophrastus (c. 372-286 BC) reported that it was taken in sweet wine for coughs.
 Greek physician Hippocrates described the value of althea in the treatment of wounds.

 Dioscorides, another Greek physician, prescribed a vinegar infusion as a cure for toothaches and recommended a preparation of the seeds to soothe insect stings.
 Roman poet Horace, claimed the root and leaves had laxative properties.

 Renaissance period herbalists used althea for sore throats, stomach problems, gonorrhea, leukorrhea, and as a gargle for infections of the mouth.

 In medieval times if a person was accused of something, to prove innocence the accused had to hold a red-hot iron bar. He/she was considered innocent if the person suffered no serious burns. Accounts from the Middle Ages state that anointing the palms with an ointment made from marshmallow would allow the accused, innocent or guilty, to remain unburned.
 "Whosoever shall take a spoonful of the Mallows shall that day be free from all diseases that may come to him."Pliny the Elder
 The common name Mortification Plant records the use of althea for treating wounds.
 Use a mallow ointment to protect against evil and cast out demons.
 Marshmallow creme derives its name from the edible use of the plants.
 Mallows are cited in the book of Job in the Bible as used in times of famine by the Egyptians.
 Root of marshmallow used to create the sweet marshmallow candies.

 The whole plant, particularly the root, abounds with a mild mucilage, which is emollient to a much greater degree than the common Mallow. The generic name, Althaea, is derived from the Greek, altho (to cure), from its healing properties. The name of the order, Malvaceae, is derived from the Greek, malake (soft), from the special qualities of the Mallows in softening and healing.

 Most of the Mallows have been used as food, and are mentioned by early classic writers in this connexion. Mallow was an esculent vegetable among the Romans, a dish of Marsh Mallow was one of their delicacies.

 The Chinese use some sort of Mallow in their food, and Prosper Alpinus stated (in 1592) that a plant of the Mallow kind was eaten by the Egyptians. Many of the poorer inhabitants of Syria, especially the Fellahs, Greeks and Armenians, subsist for weeks on herbs, of which Marsh Mallow is one of the most common. When boiled first and fried with onions and butter, the roots are said to form a palatable dish, and in times of scarcity consequent upon the failure of the crops, this plant, which fortunately grows there in great abundance, is much collected for food.

 In France, the young tops and tender leaves of Marsh Mallow are eaten uncooked, in spring salads, for their property in stimulating the kidneys, a syrup being made from the roots for the same purpose.

 This plant is native to Europe and parts of Asia and is part of the Malvaceae family. The garden varieties are called HollyHocks. The whole plant contains a tacky, slimy substance known as mucilage but the root of 2-3 year old plants contains the highest percentage, older woody roots were considered valueless. The root was dried, sliced into discs sold and then powdered to support healthy gastrointestinal function where inflammation and irritation were present. It was used to support all mucosal membranes especially in the bronchioles, mouth, and intestines. It has also been used as an antiputrifaecant, which means to help aid the removal of putrifying wastes from the intestines. In the authors experience it has proven effective given powdered in warm water to support gentle passing of urinary calculi.

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citations1.Marshamallow Althaea officinalis and uses.

last edit date:31th,May.2009.