Althaea officinalis Linn.
- 63 Downloads
- Family
-
Malvaceae.
- Habitat
-
Native to eastern Europe; found in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
- English
-
Marshmallow, Hollyhock.
- Unani
-
Khatmi, Gul-Khairu (also equated with Althaea rosea Linn.).
- Siddha/Tamil
-
Shemai-tutti.
- Action
-
Demulcent, emollient, antitussive (used for cough, bronchitis, gastritis, enteritis and cystitis), antilithic, diuretic.
- Key application
-
(leaf and root) In irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry cough; in mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) As demulcent. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) In gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulceration, common and ulcerative colitis. (The British Herbal Compendium.) Topically for varicose veins, skin ulcers, abscesses, cuts, burns.
Althaea rosea (L.) Cav., synonym Alcea roseaL., Hollyhock flower, is used as mucilage for prophylaxis and therapy of diseases and discomforts of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract and for urinary complaints. (It is included among...