Althaea, Marshmallow

Bismalva
Khatmi (Unani)

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Fuchs, L., New Kreüterbuch, (1543)

 Botanische wandplaten, 1904–1914

1. Longitudinal section showing dark cambium zone.  2, Longitudinal
furrow.  3, Irregular cut pieces.  4, Cross-section showing wavy cortex,
dark cambium zone and wood.
Squibb's Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919

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Botanical name:
Althaea officinalis (syn. Althea vulgaris)

Parts used:
Root, Seed; sometimes leaf,

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, moist (Salmon said mildly Warm). Sweet

Classification:
2A APERIENT.   2E LENITIVE.   2G. CLEANSING.   2J. RAREFYING.   2K. RESOLVENT.   2L. EMOLLIENT.   2Q. ANODYNE.   2U. SUPPURATIVES
2V. EXPEL PUS
3E. DIURETIC.   3K. EXPECTORANT.   3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE.   3M. ARTHRITICS
4d. PECTORAL.   4e. STOMACHIC.   4h. NEPHRITIC

Uses:
1. Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat:
-conditions with dryness, Yin deficiency, or Deficient-Heat.

2. Clears Heat, Moistens Dryness, Nourishes the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-dry, tickling or irritating cough, Bronchitis

3. Clears Heat, Eases Pain, Benefits the Stomach:
-heat, dryness and inflammation of the stomach and bowels

4. Clears Heat, Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-painful or burning Urination

5. Nourishes Yin to Settle Wind:
-spasms, cramps, convulsions of the sinews
    
6. Promotes the Breast Milk:
-insufficient breast milk
    
7. Externally:
i. ‘applied to inflammatory Tumours and swellings of every kind’; good for ‘Hard Kernels, Swellings and Wens ... for it drives away, maketh ripe or digesteth, bursteth and covereth with sin’ (Turners Herbal).

Dose:
... available in PRO version

Correctives:
... available in PRO version

Substitute:
... available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
1. Irritation of the Throat, Lungs, Bladder, Bowels, decoct Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
2. Gravel and Stones, Dysuria from Heat, Dysentery, and Lung Heat Coughs, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
3. Emollient:
i. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
ii. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
iii. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
4. Pectoral Powder, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
5. Pectoral Infusion of Hamburg, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
6. Cough, Bronchitis:
i. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
ii. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
iii. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
iv. Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
7. Cough and Hoarseness, form Lozenges with Marshmallow ... available in PRO version.
8. Internal Ulcers and chronic Lung disease, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
9. Gastro-duodenal Ulcers, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
10. Bed-wetting in children, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version
11. Hard swellings and Inflammations, Marshmallow with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Marshmallow root
Syrup of Marshmallow (Fernel)
Ointment of Marshmallow (Nicolas)

ADVERTISEMENT:

Cautions:
1. Not used in weak digestion or Phlegm diseases (unless corrected)

Main Preparations used:
Commonly used were the Distilled Water of the Leaves and Flowers, Mucilage of the Root, Ointment