Home > Althaea (genus)

Althaea is a perennial herb found commonly on the banks of rivers and in salt marshes, preferring moist, sandy soils. It is indigenous to Europe, and portions of Asia, flowering from July to September.

Both the leaves, flowers and the root of A. officinalis (marshmallow) have medicinal properties. The leaves, which are collected in summer as the plant begins to flower, have demulcent, expectorant, diuretic, and emollient properties. It is generally used in ailments of the lungs and the urinary systems, specifically in urethritis and urinary gravel . 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. Externally the root is used in varicose veinsVaricose veins are veins on the leg which are large, twisted, and ropelike, and can cause pain, swelling, or itching. They are an extreme form of telangiectasia, or spider veins. barefoot park Dornstetten, Germany. Varicose veins are more common in women, ulcers, abscessAn abscess is a collection of pus collected in a cavity formed by the tissue on the basis of an infectious process (usually caused by bacteria or parasites) or other foreign materials (e. bullet wounds). It is a defensive reaction of the tissue to preventes, and boilsA boil is a localized accumulation of pus in the skin, resulting from infection. They may begin with itching, and proceed to become red, swollen, and painful. Boils are traditionally treated by lancing and draining them. Antibiotics may also be used, if t.

The root contains starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose and asparagine.

1 See also

• Marshmallow Fluff

2 External links

Section Herbal information

• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) Herbalist David Hoffmann @ Health World

Section Eclectic herbal information

• Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) King's American Dispensatory @ Henriette's Herbal
• Mallow, Marsh (Althaea officinalis) Mrs. Grieve's "A Modern Herbal" @ Botanical.com