Marshmallow officinalis - a medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. It is currently found in syrups, herbal teas and lozenges. The plant is used in herbal medicine for infectious and viral diseases of the respiratory system.
Marshmallow officinalis. Description
Marshmallow belongs to the Malvaceae family. Mentions of its healing properties can be found in ancient chronicles. This plant is native to the Mediterranean regions, and also grows in the steppe regions of western Asia. In Russia, wild marshmallow can be found very rarely. However, it is often grown for medicinal purposes.
Description of Marshmallow officinalis is presented below. The plant reaches a height of about 1.5 m. The stems and leaves are pubescent with soft short hairs. Heart-shaped or ovate leaves 7-10 cm long, with wavy or grooved edges. Althea blooms from July to August. Its flowers are quite large, pink and located in the axils of the leaves at the tops.stems, collected one or more. These flowers have 5 petals. The cylindrical root of the plant is long and reaches up to 3 cm in diameter. The roots have a yellow-brown skin and a slightly honey aroma.
Collection and drying
Medicinal raw materials of the plant are flowers, leaves and roots. Flowers and leaves without petioles should be collected on a dry day, in the late afternoon, from June to August. They should then be spread out in a thin layer in a dark place or in a herb dryer, fan oven at 40°C.
The roots are dug up for the 2nd year of growing the plant. The procedure is best done after sunrise, in late autumn (in this case, much more useful components have been accumulated than in spring). Immediately after digging, the roots should be washed, peeled, cut and dried at 40 °C. Dry raw materials must be stored in a tightly closed container and in a dry, dark place.
Composition
Marshmallow roots contain:
- pectic substances;
- starch;
- sucrose;
- asparagine;
- betaine;
- glycosides;
- phenolic acids;
- coumarins;
- lecithin;
- tannins;
- mineral s alts (calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, selenium, potassium, manganese);
- vitamins (B1, B2, B3, A, C, D, E).
The leaves and flowers also contain pectins, organic acids (calcium oxalates), flavonoids, essential oils, coumarins and mineral s alts.
Remedycolds
Due to its beneficial properties, marshmallow has a wide range of applications. A syrup from the plant is an excellent cough remedy, therefore it is readily used in the treatment of colds, flu, sore throat, sore throats and even bronchitis, that is, diseases that are accompanied by coughing and accumulation of mucus in the body. The components of the plant have an expectorant and protective effect on the respiratory tract. Herbal medicines soften secretions adjacent to the walls of the pharynx and larynx, thereby reducing irritation and pain.
Marshmallow is often used as an ingredient in cough syrup for children because it does not contain very strong ingredients and has a pleasant taste. It acts on the receptors of the upper respiratory tract, blocks their work and reduces the cough reflex. Herbal infusions are recommended for inflammatory diseases of the throat, oral cavity and larynx. It must be remembered that you should not take funds from this herb at the same time as other drugs, since the components of the plant delay the absorption of the substances contained in them.
Consumption of foods containing the plant is recommended for overweight people and those who have problems with high cholesterol and blood lipids. Consuming an infusion of marshmallow will give a feeling of fullness, thereby reducing the feeling of hunger.
Scientific studies have confirmed that Marshmallow officinalis water extract has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, hence useful in the treatmentbacterial and viral infections of the respiratory tract. To treat the infection, you can use ready-made pharmacy syrups and chewable tablets with this herb, or make your own medicines from the plant.
What else does marshmallow help with?
Besides being beneficial in treating coughs and sore throats, the herb has many other medicinal uses. The components of the plant have a protective effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. The active substances of the herb cover the mucous membranes with a thin layer and protect them from the harmful effects of external factors. Thanks to this, damage to the esophagus and stomach is eliminated.
Marshmallow is recommended for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and problems with the intestines. The herb eliminates excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach, so it may relieve symptoms of reflux esophagitis.
A warm infusion of the leaves of the plant helps with inflammation of the bladder. Its root powder mixed with water is useful for persistent constipation. It swells and accelerates intestinal peristalsis. As a remedy for constipation, you can use an enema with a decoction.
Marshmallow and skin changes
Marshmallow is used externally for inflammation of the skin. The herb not only relieves irritation, but also has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Decoctions from the plant are recommended in the form of compresses and for washing with inflammatory diseases of the skin, eyelids and conjunctiva, as well as with sunburn. From the grass, you can prepare an ointment for purulentskin lesions.
Marshmallow syrup. Indications and dosing regimen
The herb syrup is available from pharmacies without a prescription and is relatively inexpensive. The syrup is often prescribed by a doctor in case of mild forms of inflammation of the respiratory tract. Adults can also use it.
The syrup contains marshmallow root macerate, a mixture of water and ethanol, benzoic acid and sucrose. There are no known side effects of the syrup, but you should follow the recommendations of the doctor who prescribed it, or follow the instructions on the package insert.
Because of the sucrose content, people with diabetes should be careful when taking this medicine. In addition, the syrup is not recommended for people suffering from epilepsy, liver problems and bronchial asthma.
Syrup can be given to children after consulting a doctor:
- babies from 3 to 6 years old can take 5 ml of funds 3 times a day;
- children from 6 years of age can take 5 ml of syrup 5 times a day;
children over 13 are recommended to take 10 ml 6 times a day
Child can be given syrup both in the morning and in the evening (before going to bed). In addition, the product has a pleasant honey flavor.
Marshmallow syrup. How to cook at home?
You can make syrup from the plant at home. To do this, you need to buy marshmallow root powder.
Preparation: 6 tablespoons of crushed plant root pour 500 ml of water and cook for 10 minutes. Then let stand for 30 minutes, strain andadd 300 ml of honey. You can also add 100 ml of ethyl alcohol.
Folk recipes
The use of marshmallow in folk medicine is very diverse.
- Macerate from the root of the plant can be cooked in cold or warm water. To do this, you need to pour a tablespoon of grass with a glass of boiled water of the selected temperature and let stand for about 1 hour. After this time, the macerate must be strained and sweetened with honey. Drink a tablespoon several times a day for inflammation of the stomach and upper respiratory tract.
- Remedy for constipation: Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed root into 1/3 cup of water, mix and drink. In the elderly, enemas are performed from the extract of the plant in case of constipation or inflammation of the rectum. In women, it can be used to wash the vagina in inflammatory diseases.
- Compress for skin problems: 2-4 tablespoons of crushed plant root pour a glass of water, cook slowly until a thick slurry is obtained. Add half a spoonful of honey, stir, transfer to a linen canvas or gauze and apply warm to the affected areas of the changed skin.
- Compress on the eyes can be made from infusion. To do this, pour 2 tablespoons of grass with half a glass of boiling water and insist for several minutes. Then strain and soak cotton swabs with liquid and apply them to the eyes. Compresses on the eyes relieve irritation caused, for example, by prolonged work on the computer, and are also able to cure styes on the eyelids. Infusion canuse to wash the skin of the face and neck after sunburn to relieve itching.
- Milk with marshmallow: 2 tablespoons of crushed root pour 2 cups of milk, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and slowly bring to a boil. Cook for another 30-45 minutes. Take for coughs and stomach ulcers.
- Recovery mask. You need 1 tablespoon of the root of the marshmallow plant, pour 1/2 cup of warm water and set for half an hour. After that, strain and add a handful of oatmeal and a tablespoon of homemade yogurt. The product is applied to the face for 15 minutes. After washing off with warm water. The mask has a regenerating, cleansing and moisturizing effect on the skin.
- Oil macerate: you need to pour the dried roots of the plant with oil and insist for a month in a warm room. The product is used for dry skin of the face and head. Helps to get rid of dandruff, strengthens hair. It can also be used as an anti-aging serum. It will be a good component for creams, hair products (for ends). The oily macerate from the plant is used for skin diseases. Has antibacterial, moisturizing properties.
Pharmacy preparations with marshmallow
In pharmacies there are a number of preparations, herbal and nutritional supplements with marshmallow. Here are some of them:
- Altein syrup (Sirupus Althaeae) - the drug is recommended for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, pharynx and bronchi, occurring with a dry cough and difficult sputum discharge. Its use is also recommended for children and the elderly withinflammation of the mucous membrane.
- Breast collection No. 1 - herbal collection, which, in addition to the marshmallow root, includes: common oregano grass, coltsfoot leaves. Used to prepare a decoction or infusion used for coughs and chronic conditions with severe inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
- "Muk altin" - cough tablets. Contains marshmallow, soda, tartaric acid, calcium stearate. Tablets help eliminate the feeling of dryness and "scratching" in the throat that accompanies upper respiratory tract infections. Liquefies sputum and accelerates its exit from the bronchi.
- He althy Stomach Tea Drink with Marshmallow – regulates the pH of gastric juice and reduces its production.
Side effects and contraindications
Marshmallow contraindications:
- Due to lack of relevant data, it is better not to use the plant during pregnancy and lactation.
- In children, the herb can only be used temporarily and only in small doses (during teething, the peeled root of the plant can be chewed).
- Due to reduced absorption of other drugs, herbal medicines should not be used for more than a week. Prolonged use of the extract from the roots of the plant can lead to a deficiency of vitamins, mineral s alts and other compounds.
