Althaea officinalis Linn-marshmallow
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Cashmerian name : Sazamool
Arabic name : Kasirul Munfiyat, Bazrul Khatmi, Gulkhairo
Chinese name : Ke zhi gen
English name : Sweet Weed, Mallards, Mortification Root,
French name : Guimauve
German name : Eibisch, Heilwurz, Ibischwurz, Sammetpappel
Hindi name : Khatmi
Marathi name : Khatmi
Persian name : Tukhme Khatmi (Fruits), Raisha Khatmi (Roots)
Sanskrit name : Gulkairo, Khatmi
Urdu name : Tukhme Khatmi
Medicinal use of Althaea officinalis Linn : The herb, not the white puffy confection roasted over a campfire—has been used for centuries as both a food and a medicine. It is alterative, antacid, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, galactagogue, immune tonic, laxative, nutritive, rejuvenative and soothing. Althaea comes from the Latin ‘altho’ meaning ‘to heal’. Marshmallow’s demulcent qualities bring relief to bronchial asthma, sore throat, bronchial catarrh, pleurisy and when there is dry cough. Also useful in intestinal disorders like colitis, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also used for irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa. It also stimulates the immune system and production of white blood cells. It is a natural source of beta-carotene, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Soothes infection and irritation from kidney and bladder stones.
Planting material available : Olive,Kiwi, Picanut,Hazelnut, and herbal seeds.
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This herb has a high mucilage content (is highest in the root, about 11%), which calm inflammation, nourishes bone marrow, soothes and moistens the skin, and promotes tissue healing.
Recommended Dosage: Seeds : 3 to 5 g powder; Root : 5 to 7 g powder.
Contraindication : This herb has no known warnings or contraindications but diabetics need to take account of the sugar content.
Althaea officinalis Linn is a very useful household medicinal herb. Its soothing demulcent properties make it very effective in treating inflammations and irritations of the mucous membranes such as the alimentary canal, the urinary and the respiratory organs. The root counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis. It is also applied externally to bruises, sprains, aching muscles, insect bites, skin inflammations, splinters etc. The whole plant, but especially the root, is antitussive, demulcent, diuretic, highly emollient, slightly laxative and odontalgic. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat cystitis and frequent urination. The leaves are harvested in August when the plant is just coming into flower and can be dried for later use. The root can be used in an ointment for treating boils and abscesses. The root is best harvested in the autumn, preferably from 2 year old plants, and is dried for later use.
Description of the plant :
Plant : PerennialHeight : 120 cm (4 feet)Flovering : July to SeptemberHabitat of the herb : The upper margins of salt and brackish marshes, sides of ditches and grassy banks near the sea.
Edible parts of Althaea officinalis Linn : Leaves - raw or cooked. They are used as a potherb or to thicken soups. When used as a small proportion with other leaves, the taste and texture is acceptable, but if a lot of the leaves are cooked together their mucilaginous texture makes them unpalatable. The leaves can be eaten raw but are rather fibrous and somewhat hairy, though the taste is mild and pleasant. We have found them to be quite acceptable in salads when chopped up finely. Root - raw or cooked. When boiled and then fried with onions it is said to make a palatable dish that is often used in times of shortage. The root is used as a vegetable, it is also dried then ground into a powder, made into a paste and roasted to make the sweet "marshmallow". The root contains about 37% starch, 11% mucilage, 11% pectin. The water left over from cooking any part of the plant can be used as an egg-white substitute in making meringues etc. The water from the root is the most effective, it is concentrated by boiling until it has a similar consistency to egg white. A tea is made from the flowers. A tea can also be made from the root.
