Marsh-mallow root

Description

A perennial tall rhizomatous plant with thick brownish-yellow roots. The leaves are alternate, soft-pubescent, grayish-green, three-to five-lobed. The flowers are pale pink, with a double calyx (outer calyx) and with many stamens fused with the pistil in a common tube. Fruits are flat round, breaking up into separate achenes. Height 100 - 120 cm.

The part used. Roots, as well as leaves and flowers.

Chemical composition

The roots contain about 35% of mucus, starch (up to 37%), sugar (up to 10.2%), aspartic acid, betaine (4%), fatty oil (1.7%) and other substances. Leaves and flowers contain a solid essential oil (about 0.02%). The therapeutic effect of marshmallow depends on the content of mucus and pectin substances in it.

Application

Marshmallow-a plant known since ancient times. For medicinal purposes, it was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The plant is a good softening, enveloping, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent that reduces irritation in inflammatory and ulcerative processes. Water infusion of roots as an auxiliary agent is used for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs with a large separation of mucus: for coughing, whooping cough, bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchial asthma. Marshmallow infusion is used for inflammation of the bladder, painful and involuntary urination, intestinal inflammation, simple diarrhea, dysentery, dyspeptic diarrhea in children, kidney diseases and especially stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcer. The Marshmallow roots are part of many chest and throat gargle collections.

Method of application

1. 4 teaspoons of marshmallow roots infuse for 8 hours in 2 cups of cold boiled water, strain. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day.

2. 2 tablespoons of roots, flowers or leaves to boil in 2 1/2 cups of water, insist for 2 hours, strain. Use for rinses, compresses, poultices and enemas in inflammatory processes.