Marshmallow medicinal plant description. Application of marshmallow root and herb

Many people know that the most popular diseases can be treated without the use of expensive medications, it is enough just to prepare medicinal herbs. In fact, we are surrounded by a large number of medicinal herbs, about the healing properties of which many people do not know.

Marshmallow belongs to the mallow variety, it is found in gardens and vegetable gardens very often. Even ancient physicians knew about his medical characteristics. Hippocrates and Dioscorides write about him in their writings. Many books and articles have been published about this medicinal plant.

What is a plant?

It is a perennial plant from the Malvov family. This variety stands out large size: The smallest height of the Marshmallow is 60 centimeters, and the highest is 2 meters. The stem is even, slightly branched. Below, the green stems are lignified, and the widest ones have a distinctive pattern in the form of a network of long grooves.

The leaves are arranged in steps, with villi at the bottom of the plate. Depending on the place of growth, they differ in shape and size. The leaves below have 1-2 feathers and are round in shape. The leaves in the middle and above are large and most acute, with great basis wedge-shaped.

The flower is in the form of a spike; on a small pedicel, dense thickets of small flowers with a corolla of pink or whitish color are noticeable. Most often, large flowers appear in the grooves. But the description of marshmallow will not be complete if you do not tell about its main healing part - the root. The main woody rhizome can reach a length of half a meter with a diameter of 2 centimeters. Around it are lateral shoots of a whitish shade.

The healing characteristics of the plant

For medicinal purposes, it is allowed to use the seeds and root of the plant. Seeds are harvested in summer or in the first months of autumn, in dry weather. The root is harvested in spring or late autumn. It must be carefully dug out, washed and cut into small pieces, then dried.

The healing properties of marshmallow are as follows:

1. The rhizome of the plant reduces the likelihood of tumor growth, resolves an abscess, swelling on the skin, hematomas. It eliminates pain in the joints, removes tremors in the arms and legs.
2. People with inflammation are taking marshmallow-based products sciatic nerve, muscle tears.
3. The seeds of the plant will help cure pneumonia, sore throat, colds, this is an excellent expectorant. At the same time, marshmallow leaves will benefit a woman with breast lumps.
4. Rhizome broth is advised to take in case of illness gastrointestinal tract, bladder, with anus tumor, leucorrhoea, hepatitis.
5. An infusion based on seeds will cleanse the body of discharge after childbirth, it is drunk with difficulties with urination, in the presence of stones in bladder.
6. Due to the fact that the rhizome of the plant contains many mucous substances, they soften, eliminate pain and are prescribed for diseases of the respiratory tract. The action of the plant is that it spreads along the mucous membrane of organs, places of inflammation, protecting them from subsequent irritation.
7. Marshmallow is also used for diarrhea, which becomes a consequence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and duodenal ulcer, for diseases of the stomach, such as gastritis and colitis.
8. The plant has a very effective effect with a high acidity of the stomach. This is due to the fact that when mucus and hydrochloric acid, released during the secretion of gastric juice, combine, its viscosity becomes higher.
9. Compositions based on this medicinal plant have a clear anti-cough effect. They are used in the treatment of laryngitis and whooping cough.
10. A hot infusion of plant rhizomes is used externally for inflammation that has arisen on the tonsils, pharynx or gums. At the same time, a cool tincture is used for compresses for fistulas, an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane eyeball, for wiping the skin with eczema or psoriasis.
11. Marshmallow has an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, enveloping effect.
12. The rhizome of the plant contains a lot of starch and mucus, sucrose, pectins, tannins, as well as vitamin C and trace elements.

A medicinal plant with such an impressive list of beneficial properties is widely used to cure many diseases. However, its characteristics are also noted in cosmetology.

The medicine
The main area of ​​use for marshmallow is Alternative medicine, however, the “traditional” one also gives the go-ahead for the reception of tinctures. The doctor may prescribe a plant in the following cases:

• At inflammatory processes in the larynx and respiratory tract.
• For the treatment of coughs with large mucus secretions.
• If there is irritation on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.
• To eliminate abscess and speedy wound healing.

At the same time, the mild effect of marshmallow is indispensable if you need to relieve pain on an inflamed nerve or regenerate an injured muscle. The tincture is taken for joint therapy.

It is worth saying that dietitians also know about the healing properties of marshmallow. The plant is often used when developing a weight loss plan.

Cosmetology
The root of the plant has a very good effect on skin covering person. However, this is not all of his merits: in addition to the quick healing of wounds, he, in addition, moisturizes the skin, preventing the effects of dryness. The resulting liquid will help strengthen the hair while also solving the problem of irritation.

At frequent use the hair will not fall out, and the acids in the rhizome will stimulate their growth in a short time. And all this is possible without the use of different chemicals.

Contraindications and warnings

1. The plant does not often cause side effects, because of this, one significant contraindication to therapy is individual immunity.
2. In the initial stages of pregnancy, plant-based products cannot be used; in later stages, they can only be used with the permission of a specialist.
3. It can be given very carefully to newborn babies.
4. Do not advise taking the plant with intestinal obstruction and violation respiratory function lungs.
5. The syrup prepared from the plant is advised to drink very carefully for people with diabetes.
6. When using anti-cough syrup, remember that it should not be used together with codeine and other drugs that suppress cough, this will make it difficult for the liquefied mucus to escape, and cause complications of the disease.
7. With significant consumption of marshmallow-based products, nausea and a gag reflex may occur. In such a situation, it is necessary to rinse the stomach and not take plant-based formulations.

Therapy with this plant

Explosions, tinctures, syrups, powders and other remedies from the rhizome of a medicinal plant are allowed to be used to cure diseases of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Marshmallow seed brew is used to treat dandruff.

Healing plant against sore throat

1. Add a glass of hot water to a small spoonful of finely chopped rhizomes of the plant. Let stand for 8 hours, then filter the composition. Rinse the larynx with tincture.
2. Grind a small spoonful of marshmallow rhizome and a spoonful of sage and mix thoroughly. Add a glass of hot water to the composition, let stand for half an hour, then filter. Rinse the larynx with the resulting tincture three times a day.

Anti-cough recipes
Together with medicines, to improve expectoration and as an anti-inflammatory agent, it is allowed to use compositions from the rhizome of this medicinal plant.

1. Add a glass of hot water to 2 tablespoons of finely chopped marshmallow rhizomes, put in a water bath for half an hour. Then filter the composition. Drink 100 milliliters three times a day after meals, you can add a little honey.
2. Grind a small spoonful of the dry root of the plant to a powdery state and add a glass of cool boiled water. Let it brew for 8 hours and clean the composition. Drink 50 milliliters three times a day before meals.

Plant help with peptic ulcer stomach
Therapy of stomach ulcers should be carried out only with the permission and under the supervision of a specialist, since this disease can be expressed in different ways.

How to prepare the tincture: thoroughly mix a spoonful of finely chopped marshmallow rhizome, wheatgrass root, licorice rhizome, fennel fruit and chamomile inflorescences. A small spoonful of the resulting raw material is poured with a glass of hot water and left for half an hour. Then they filter and drink a glass once a day at night.

Marshmallow with prostate adenoma and chronic prostatitis
In a full, with a mountain, spoon of marshmallow rhizome add ½ glass of warm water, and let it brew for an hour, then filter. Drink a spoonful every 2 hours. Better therapy carried out together with infusion of wintergreen, cocklebur, tinctures of bark and leaves of hazel, replacing periodically with tinctures of aspen bark, fireweed and certain other medicinal herbs, combining with the use of drops of hemlock infusion, but only as directed by a specialist.

Plant help for lung disease
2 tablespoons of finely chopped roots of a medicinal plant are poured with 1.5 cups of cool boiled water, left for an hour. Then mix and filter the infusion. Consume ½ glass three times a day. The therapy is continued for 2 months. The course should be repeated three times a year for five years.

Also, for diseases of the respiratory tract, the following infusion will help: add 2 tablespoons of inflorescences and leaves of a plant to 2 glasses of hot water. Let it brew and filter the composition. This is a daily dose. Take the infusion identical to the previous recipe.

Marshmallow with dry mouth syndrome
Add one and a half glasses of warm boiled water to 2 tablespoons of the rhizome of the plant and leave for 45 minutes. Filtered off. Take in a spoon six times a day for 1.5 months.

If a person suffers from Sjogren's syndrome, then the course of treatment is 2 months three times a year for several years.

Plant help for ternary neuralgia, myositis
4 tablespoons of the rhizome of a medicinal plant are poured with a glass of cool boiled water and insisted for 8 hours. Filter the composition. Used as a compress or lotion.

Helping plants for children

The plant can be used for the therapy of babies, it makes the child feel well and eliminates outbreaks of cough. Babies are advised to take syrup for acute colds and for diseases of the respiratory tract. The healing properties of marshmallow help liquefy and activate respiratory activity.

How to make and drink syrup for babies: in an equal ratio of 1 to 1, move the warm marshmallow tincture with any sweet syrup. Children under 12 years old are diluted with a teaspoon in half a glass of water. They take the syrup for two weeks, 4 times a day in a small spoon.

How to properly collect and preserve marshmallow

Only plants that have been growing in one area for at least two years will be suitable for healing collection, since new plants or yearlings will not give the expected result from them. It is best to collect the rhizomes at the end of spring, if it is cool, then the plant is harvested in the fall, at the same time the seeds are collected. Stems and leaves should be harvested at the beginning of summer, when the plant is blooming - this is the peak of sap exchange.

Initially, the rhizome is treated as follows:

1. The excavated root is cleaned from the earth and stem. Then the core rhizome and capitate areas are cleaned. It is imperative to remove the processes that have not yet become stiff.
2. The semi-finished product is washed and dried for four days.
3. Then the workpiece is cut into pieces 25-30 centimeters long, while splitting wide sections in the longitudinal section. Along with this, the "cork" is also removed. Everything, the rhizome is cleaned.
4. This semi-finished product is stored in a cool, well-ventilated room. In the summer season, they are placed under the roof of the house. As soon as the cold weather comes, it must be wrapped in a piece of cotton fabric and hung in the pantry.

With proper collection, processing and storage, all collected areas of marshmallow will retain their healing properties for three years.

Video: useful properties of marshmallow officinalis

In the generally accepted understanding, it is almost impossible - its stems are too powerful and tall.

Description of the leaves, roots and flowers of medicinal marshmallow

Althea officinalis- a perennial herb of the Malvov family. Young plants have single stems, while older plants may have about 9-10 stems. Marshmallow has one thick stem, which is the main one, from which thin branches extend, their direction upwards. The height of an adult plant can reach 1.8-2 meters.

The leaves of the medicinal marshmallow are alternate, soft, if you touch them, they resemble a bike. The leaves located at the bottom of the stem are rounded, temporary and die off in another initial stage flowering. The middle leaves are also rounded, the base is heart-shaped, may have 3 or 5 lobes, and the upper leaves are whole.

All leaves have irregular denticles. Leaves are alternate, 5-15 cm long, petiolate, velvety-tomentose from dense short pubescence.

Flowers, collected in bunches, are located on common peduncles, which are very short - clustered in the axils of the upper and middle leaves and at the top of the stem. The corolla of the marshmallow flower consists of 5 petals, usually white, but sometimes Pink colour... Marshmallow officinalis has a double calyx and external sepals, which have 8-12 leaves, and the calyx consists of 5 leaves.

The roots of Marshmallow officinalis are thick, short, multi-headed, fleshy, whitish, with a powerful rod, in the upper part of the ligneous process, reaching a length of 50 centimeters. Stems are weakly branched, lignified in the lower part, cylindrical.

As you can see in the photo, the marshmallow herb has flat-shaped fruits, disc-shaped and containing many seeds:

Flowering begins in June and ends in July, while seed ripening occurs in early autumn.

The herb marshmallow is common in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part, in the south Western Siberia, in Kazakhstan, some regions of Central Asia and the Caucasus. In Ukraine, it is found mainly in the basins of the Dnieper, Seversky Donets and Southern Bug. In all these regions, it is used as a medicinal and food plant.

In the forest-steppe and steppe zones, the medicinal plant marshmallow prefers habitats that are sufficiently moisture-rich: the banks of rivers, oxbows, irrigation ditches, lakes and ponds, coastal bushes, damp, mostly alkaline meadows and fallow lands. Usually forms small groups, sometimes sparse thickets.

The use of marshmallow herb

Marshmallow can be eaten: the leaves are eaten stewed, boiled, and even raw in a young unripe form (peeled from the cups). Marshmallow herb roots, boiled in advance, are also used for food.

Dry ground roots can be added to flour when baked. Since they contain a large amount of starch, porridge and jelly can be cooked from them. Fresh roots are great for preparing second courses - it can be stewed and fried. Fresh young leaves can be used for healthy salads and vitamin soups.

In the floodplains of rivers, in meadows, in lakes, in thickets, you can see another species of this plant - wild marshmallow.

In medicine, the use of both the roots and the herb of the plant is practiced. The drugs have many useful and medicinal properties- Marshmallow is used for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchopneumonia and bronchial asthma.

The roots of the plant are widely used for gastritis and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. With increased acidity of gastric juice, it is one of the most effective remedies. Due to its properties, the root of the herb marshmallow is included in the breast collection and other medicinal preparations.

For medicinal purposes, it is usually grown as a biennial crop and only soft and fleshy roots are harvested. The procurement of raw materials is carried out in the fall, in September-early October, or early in the spring. From the dug roots, cut off and discard the upper thickened part of the rhizome and small branches of the lateral roots.

The selected roots are dried in the air for 2-3 days, and then cut into pieces of 30-35 cm. Thick fleshy roots are split lengthwise into 2-4 parts. To obtain the "purified marshmallow root" (this is the name of pharmaceutical raw materials), the upper, cork, part of the bark is removed from its dried roots with a sharp knife.

The roots are dried by spreading them out in a loose, thin layer in ventilated rooms or in special dryers at a temperature of 45-50 ° C and good ventilation. Air drying will not give the desired results. raw materials containing a lot of starch quickly rot and mold.

Store dried roots in dry, well-ventilated areas. The root is hygroscopic, so it damp easily. The shelf life of dried raw materials is 3 years.

What is obtained from medicinal marshmallow

The mucous substances of the roots consist mainly of polysaccharides, which decompose during hydrolysis into galactose, arabinose, pentose and dextrose.

Marshmallow herb is used to obtain: starch, pectin, sugars, asparagine, betaine, carotene, lecithin, phytosterol, mineral salts, fatty oils. By content active connections mucous infusions of marshmallow roots are equivalent to infusions of flax seeds. Water extracts from the root have enveloping, protective, emollient, anti-inflammatory properties, and also have an expectorant and some analgesic effect.

The syrup is used to improve the taste of medicines, to prepare cough mixtures for young children. The use of medicinal marshmallow is also practiced for the preparation of infusions and decoctions for rinsing and enemas, in the form of lotions, poultices and compresses. It is also widely used in veterinary medicine - a decoction of the root is given to animals in case of poisoning.

The description of the roots of the medicinal marshmallow is very similar to the description of the roots of other plants of the Malvov family, for example, forest mallow (Malva sylvestris) and thuringia hautma (Lavatera thuringiaca), so it is very easy to confuse them.

These plants are quite similar, however, marshmallow can be distinguished by a number of signs:

• His cup consists of 8-12 leaves, and in the named species - of three.
• The leaves are 3–5-lobed, ovate, and in mallow and hautma, they are broad-ovate or rounded-reniform, 5–7-lobed.
• The petals are pale pink, in the hautma they are bright pink, in the mallow they are pink with dark stripes.

Here you can see a photo of the medicinal marshmallow used in folk medicine:

Planting and growing medicinal marshmallow from seeds

For growing marshmallow, seeds are used, less often the plant is propagated vegetatively and by seedlings. Sowing with seeds is carried out in early spring at the first opportunity to go into the field or before winter, when there are no conditions for growing seedlings in greenhouses.

The soil on the site should be loamy or sandy loam, fertile. To grow medicinal marshmallow from seeds, the site should be prepared in advance - dug up in autumn to a depth of 20-25 cm, fertilized with rotted compost or manure. Potash or phosphorus supplements are introduced in the fall.

For planting marshmallow in early spring, loosen the soil 5 cm deep and sow the seeds at a distance of 3-5 centimeters from each other in length, with a row spacing of 55 cm. It is best to take two-year-old seeds of medicinal marshmallow for sowing. For better germination, the seeds should be soaked in water in advance.

Harvesting is carried out in the second and third years of the growing season. Root harvesting is carried out in early spring or autumn. The grass is harvested in the second year of the marshmallow growing season.

Description of the types of marshmallow officinalis

In total, about 17 plant species are found in nature.

The most common ones are:

Altey Armenian (Althaea armeniaca Ten.).

Marshmallow brussonezielistny .

Marshmallow hemp (Althaea cannabina L.).

(Althaea hirsuta L.).

Altay Ludwig (Althaea ludwigii L.).

Altey Armenian (Althaea armeniaca Ten.)- a perennial herbaceous soft-felt plant. The stem is tall, erect. The leaves of the plant are palmate, five-partite, sharp-toothed with elongated ovate lobes. Flowers correct shape, 5-petaled, pink-purple, collected in paniculate racemose inflorescences. The fruit of the plant is prefabricated, consists of many achenes, arranged in a ring-like manner. Blooms from May to September.

Natural area in Russia - Nizhne-Don region, Crimea and the Caucasus; found in the Azov region. It grows mainly singly or occurs in small groups on wetlands, sands, shell rock, in river floodplains along dry and saline meadows, in floodplain bushes, in forests, orchards and vineyards, in forest clearings, railway embankments.

The plant root contains useful properties. They contain mucus (about 35%), starch (37%), sugar (8%), asparagine (2%), betaine (4%), fatty oil (1.7%), pectins (16%). The leaves and flowers contain a small amount of mucus and essential oil, the fruits contain fatty oil (12%).

It is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant and enveloping agent. The medicinal properties of the herb marshmallow are used in the treatment of diseases respiratory organs and the gastrointestinal tract. The infusion and extract are taken orally for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis.

Marshmallow brussonezielistny (Althaea broussonetiifolia Iljin)- a herbaceous plant up to two meters high. The stem is straight, cylindrical, thick below, branched, short-tomentose-hairy.

Leaves petiolar, plates 6-14 cm long and 6-12 cm wide, wedge-shaped at the base, or less often almost obtusely rounded or cut off, almost to the base five-dissected or deeply five-partite, with oblong-oval or oblong lobes, unevenly coarsely toothed, with an average, larger lobe, often toothed-lobed; the lower lateral lobes are smaller and more welded with intermediate lateral lobes and directed obliquely upward.

The plates of the upper leaves are three- or five-dissected to the base into narrower oblong segments, wedge-shaped at the base, for the most part bent slightly back. The lower leaves are five-lobed, not cordate; the first pairs of leaves are usually whole, small, spleen-like. All leaves are densely pubescent above and below. Stipules are linear, falling off during flowering.

Flowers in terminal, leafy, narrow, racemose-paniculate inflorescences, as well as in axillary, leafless, shorter inflorescences. Pedicels are much shorter than the calyx, only in single rare axillary flowers they reach a length of 4-5 cm. The pedicel is 5-8 mm long, consists of 7-9 lanceolate leaves, almost 3/4 dissected. Calyx 6-10 mm long, more than half divided into ovoid or oblong-ovate lobes, constricted at the apex. Corolla pink, almost 2 times the calyx. Petals obovate or oblong-ovate, 8-15 mm long, 5-10 mm wide, slightly notched at the top, tied at the base into a fringed-hairy nail.

Fruits 7-8 mm in diameter, consists of 15-18 fruitlets, relatively strongly stellate-pubescent, with a linear roller in the middle and transversely wrinkled on the sides. Fruits are 2.75-3 mm long, 2.25-3 mm wide, about 1.5 mm wide on the back. Seeds are reniform, brown, glabrous, on the dorsum, especially in the lower part, with small whitish scattered warts.

Blooms from July to August. Fruiting from mid-August to late September.

Marshmallow hemp (Althaea cannabina L.)- a perennial herb, a species of the Altey genus of the Malvovye family. Grows in light, broad-leaved, less often in pine forests. It is often found along the edges, thickets of bushes, especially on stony, chalk and limestone slopes, meadows, rarely in feather-grass-forb steppes, as well as in weedy places, roads, wastelands, pastures and parks.

Altey rough-haired, or Altey rough (Althaea hirsuta L.)... Herbaceous plant 25-50 cm high. Stems are cylindrical, straight, single or several, simple or branched from the very base, densely covered with long, harsh, bristly, simple hairs, often purple underneath.

The species is most often found in North Africa, central and southern regions of Europe, as well as Western and Central Asia.

It grows mainly on stony, clayey desert-steppe slopes, light forests and shrubs, in meadows in an extremely desert climate, in weedy and ruderal places.

Seeds contain about 16% fatty oil yellow color widely used in medicine and cosmetology.

Altay Ludwig (Althaea ludwigii L.)... Perennial plant 5-35 cm high. Several stems, less often one, ascending or outstretched, cylindrical, mostly bluish-green.

Found in South Africa, the Mediterranean, Western and Central Asia.

Fruits consist of 8-10 narrow fruitlets, flat or slightly grooved on the back, smooth, sharp along the edge, with sharply protruding radial wrinkles on the sides. The carpophorus is narrow, hairy. Seeds are dark brown, glabrous, smooth.

Leaves on petioles equal or one and a half times longer than the plates. The leaf blades are thick, finger-pentapartite with wide wedge-shaped lobes, in the upper leaves they are narrower, oblong, widened upwards and large-tricordered, rarely pubescent from above or almost glabrous, glabrous below.

Blooms in April - July. Fruiting in June - September.

Marshmallow roots -RadicesAlthaeae

Marshmallow herb -HerbaAlthaeae

Marshmallow officinalis - Althaea officinalis L.

Armenian marshmallow - Althaea armeniaca Ten.

Semactiono mallow - Malvaceae

Other names:

- Marshmallow

- Prosvirnyak

Botanical characteristics. Perennial herb. Rhizome multi-headed, short, woody, with branched, fleshy, whitish roots. Stems up to 150 cm high, slightly branched, erect. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, simple, usually three-, five-lobed, simpler at the apex. The flowers are pink, large, clustered in the upper part of the stem in a spike-shaped inflorescence. Corolla five-part, rounded petals. The pistil has an upper ovary and is enclosed in a tube of accrete filaments. The stamens are purple. The calyx is double, 5 inner petals, 9-12 outer petals. The fruit is fractional, disintegrating into separate single-seeded fruits. The whole plant has a soft velvety pubescence. Blooms in June-July; bears fruit in September-October. Allowed for use is Armenian marshmallow. The flowers are pale pink. Grows in the Caucasus, in the foothills of Central Asia.

Spreading. In the forest-steppe and steppe zones, in the Caucasus, in the south of Western Siberia. Commercial culture in Krasnodar Territory and in Ukraine, it is cultivated on personal plots of pharmacies, schools, on worked-out and wet soils. Fertilize with humus, phosphate and potassium fertilizers. Seeds are propagated by row spacing of 70 cm (sowing depth 1.5-2 cm), seedlings, dividing perennial rhizomes. The soil is shaken, thinned up to 8-10 plants per running meter, weeds are carefully weeded out. Biennial plants are fed with ammonium nitrate, the grass is mowed and burned before winter. The roots of plants are harvested at the age of 2-3 years, the yield is up to 10-20 c / ha.

Distinctive features of marshmallow medicinal and related plants

Diagnostic signs	Marshmallow officinalis - Althaea officinalis L.	Hutma Thuringian -Lavatera thuringiaca L.	Forest mallow - Malva sylvestris L.
Growing places	Meadows, banks of reservoirs	Dry slopes, edges	Wastes, yards, gardens
Pubescence	Velvety	Woolly	Tough, sometimes the plants are bare
	Ovate, 3-5-lobed	Broadly ovate, 5-lobed with stipules	Rounded, 5-7-lobed, membranous stipules
Cup, whisk	8-12 blades, pale pink	3-blade; hot pink	3-blade; pink with dark stripes

Habitat. In river valleys, lakes, in wet meadows, among bushes, in swamps.

Procurement of raw materials, primary processing, drying. The roots are harvested in the fall, after the death of the aboveground parts of the plants (September-October), or in the spring, before regrowth (April-early May). After digging with shovels or plows, the roots are thoroughly cleaned of the ground, cut off the rhizomes and small roots, remove the lignified upper part main root; non-lignified roots are dried for 2-3 days in the air, then the cork is removed. Large roots are cut transversely into pieces up to 35 cm long, thick ones - lengthwise into 2-4 parts.

To obtain unrefined raw materials, after digging up and shaking off the ground, the roots are placed in baskets and quickly washed in cold running water. Otherwise, processing is carried out in the same way as for raw materials cleared of cork.

Marshmallow herb is harvested during flowering (within a month from the beginning of flowering), mowing in a mechanized way, yellowed leaves and admixture of other plants are removed.

Marshmallow roots and grass are dried either in dryers at a temperature of 50-60 0 С, or in well-ventilated rooms. In the southern regions of the country, the roots are also dried in the sun, covering them at night. When drying this raw material, it is necessary to take into account its hygroscopicity. They are laid out in a thin layer, loosely, on nets or frames covered with fabric. After drying, impurities, moldy and discolored roots and parts of the grass are removed from the raw materials.

Security measures. The thickets are easily depleted, therefore, during the collection process, seeds are sown, falling asleep in the holes from under the root, and developed specimens are left for seeding. They preserve young growth.

Standardization. The quality of raw materials is regulated by the requirements of GF XI (marshmallow roots), FS 42-812-73 (unrefined marshmallow root), VFS 42-1696-87 (marshmallow herb).

External signs. Marshmallow roots. Whole raw materials represents almost cylindrical roots cleared of cork or split lengthwise into 2-4 parts 10-35 cm long, up to 2 cm thick, longitudinally grooved with peeling long, soft bast fibers and dark dots - traces of fallen or cut off small roots. Fracture in the central part is granular-rough, fibrous on the outside. The color of the root outside and at the break is white, yellowish-white, grayish. The smell is weak, peculiar. The taste is sweet with a slimy sensation.

Shredded raw materials. Root Pieces Blend of various shapes in size from 1 to 7 mm. The color is yellowish white or grayish white.

Powder. Has a white, yellowish-white or grayish color, passes through a sieve with apertures of 0.31 mm.

Marshmallow root, unpeeled. Whole raw material is almost cylindrical roots, not peeled from cork, or split lengthwise into 2-4 parts, branched, of various lengths, up to 2 cm thick. The surface is longitudinally wrinkled, grayish-brown.

Marshmallow herb. Raw materials are non-lignified shoots with partially crumbling whole or crushed, broken leaves, flowers, buds and fruits of varying degrees of maturity. Stems are rounded, longitudinally intermittently furrowed, pubescent, up to 120 cm long, up to 8 mm thick, grayish-green. The smell is weak. The taste is slightly slimy.

Qualitative reactions. When the cut or root powder is moistened with a solution of ammonia or sodium hydroxide, a yellow coloration (mucus) appears.

Microscopy. Anatomical examination of the marshmallow root diagnostic value have: secondary structure of the root with a predominance of thin-walled parenchymal tissue in the xylem; numerous with slightly thickened, non-lignified or slightly lignified walls of fiber groups located in discontinuous concentric belts in the phloem and in smaller groups in the xylem; small groups of vessels and tracheids; single, less often double-row medullary rays; large cells with mucus; parenchymal cells with starch grains; small druses of calcium oxalate. When microscopic examination of the untreated marshmallow root, in addition to the indicated signs, it should be noted the presence of a thin layer of cork.

When examining the powder, parenchymal cells with starch grains and individual starch grains of a round, oval or ovoid shape with a size of 3-27 microns, fragments of mesh and scalene vessels, fibers, druses of calcium oxalate are visible. The mucus is found when examined in a diluted carcass.

Grass microdiagnostics is carried out on the basis of the leaves. In the anatomical examination of the leaves, the following are diagnostic: weakly sinuous, sometimes clearly thickened cells of the upper and highly sinuous cells of the lower epidermis; stomata of an anocytic type with 2-4 peri-stomatal cells; hairs of two types (stellate of 1-8 thick-walled rays, often lignified at the base, and glandular on a one- and two-celled stalk with a multicellular head of 2-12 excretory cells, arranged in several tiers of 2-4 cells in each); the cells of the epidermis form rosettes at the points of attachment of the hairs; numerous druses of calcium oxalate in the leaf mesophyll and along the veins.

Numerical indicators. Marshmallow roots. Whole raw materials. Moisture no more than 14%; total ash no more than 8%; ash insoluble in 10% hydrochloric acid solution, no more than 0.5%; woody roots no more than 3%; roots poorly cleared of cork, no more than 3%; organic impurity no more than 0.5%, mineral - no more than 0.5%.

Shredded raw materials... Particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes of 7 mm diameter, no more than 15%; particles passing through a sieve with holes 1 mm in diameter, no more than 3%; organic impurities no more than 0.5%, mineral - no more than 0.5%.

Powder. Particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes of 0.31 mm, no more than 1%.

Marshmallow root, unpeeled. Whole raw materials... Numerical metrics are similar to Radices Althaeae.

Shredded raw materials... Particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes of 8 mm diameter, no more than 10%; particles passing through a sieve with holes 1 mm in diameter, no more than 3%.

Marshmallow herb. Content of polysaccharides not less than 5% (determined gravimetrically), moisture not more than 13%, total ash not more than 18%, stems not more than 60%, fruits not more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 3%, mineral - no more than 1.5%.

Microbiological purity. Marshmallow roots. In accordance with GF XI, no. 2, p. 187 and Amendment to GF XI dated 28.12.95, category 5.2.

Chemical composition. The dry roots of marshmallow contain up to 35% of mucous substances, the main ingredients of which are polysaccharides - pentosans and hexosans, which give pentose, galactose and dextrose during hydrolysis. The roots also contain up to 37% starch, 2% l-asparagine, 8% sugars, 11-16% pectin, 1.7% fatty oil, betaine, carotene, phytosterols, minerals, a lot of starch, uronic acids, mineral salts. The herb is also rich in polysaccharides.

Storage. Only in a dry place, packed in bales or bags with a hygroscopicity mark. Shelf life up to 3 years.

Pharmacological properties. Marshmallow has anti-inflammatory, enveloping, expectorant, antitussive effect.

The healing properties of marshmallow are due to the high content of polysaccharides, which can swell in aqueous infusions, increase in volume and cover the mucous membranes and skin with a thin layer. This layer protects the mucous membranes from harmful factors (cold or dry air; irritating effect of food components, drying out). In addition, the mucous-polysaccharide complex absorbs, adsorbs microbial, viral and toxic products secreted by the affected epithelial cells, inactivates, prevents contact of toxins with the mucous membrane.

Under such a mucous layer, the activity of the inflammatory process decreases, dense cells and crusts soften, erosion and ulcers heal more quickly. Marshmallow preparations have mucolytic properties.

Medicines. Marshmallow root, mucus in the form of water infusion on cold water, dry extract, syrup, breast fees. The extract is obtained from the herb in tablets "Mukaltin".

Application. Althea was known under the name "alcea" (Greek - healing). It has been used since the 9th century BC. Instructions on his prescription are found in Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny.

Marshmallow is used as an anti-inflammatory and enveloping agent for diseases of the respiratory and digestive organs. Water infusion of marshmallow inside, for rinsing is used when inflammatory diseases respiratory tract and pharynx, accompanied by difficult coughing up phlegm, with tonsillitis, tracheitis, stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis. Althea preparations reduce cough, increase mucus production and facilitate the evacuation of sputum in acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, pulmonary tuberculosis, emphysema, acute respiratory diseases.

With esophagitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, with enterocolitis, food toxicoinfections and dysentery, marshmallow root is used as an adjuvant. With acute gastrointestinal diseases, especially accompanied by diarrhea, the mucous infusion of marshmallow, containing a large amount of starch, is used not only as a therapeutic, but also as a nutritious agent. In X-ray practice, in order to better identify the relief of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, an extract from the marshmallow root is added to the barium powder.

Althea infusion is prescribed internally for eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, dermatitis to normalize metabolism.

Outwardly, in collections, the marshmallow root is used as an emollient in the form of a poultice.

The medical industry produces the drug Mucaltinum, which is a mixture of polysaccharides from the herb marshmallow. Tablets greenish color contain 0.05 g of mucaltin, 0.087 g of sodium bicarbonate and 0.16 g of tartaric acid. Prescribe 1-2 tablets per dose 2-3 times a day before meals for respiratory tract diseases as an expectorant.

Dry marshmallow root extract (Extractum Althaeae siccum) is a dark amber powder. Often used in fees.

The infusion of marshmallow root (Infusum radicis Althaeae) is a transparent yellowish, slimy, sweet taste, liquid with a slight peculiar smell. A finely cut root with particles of no more than 3 mm in an amount of 6.5 g is poured with 100 ml of water at room temperature, infused for 1 hour, 1 tablespoon is taken after 2 hours.

Altea syrup (Sirupus Althaeae) is a thickish transparent liquid, in a thin layer of yellowish color, in a thick layer - reddish-brown, with a peculiar smell, sweet in taste. The syrup contains 2 g of dry extract of marshmallow root and 98 g of sugar syrup. Add to mixtures of 20-30 ml.

Collecting chest No. 1: Marshmallow roots and leaves of coltsfoot in 2 parts, oregano herb 1 part. Prepare an infusion of 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 200 ml of water. It is taken warm, 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day.

Collection of chest No. 2: marshmallow roots 1 part, licorice roots 1 part, elecampane roots 1 part. A decoction is prepared from 2 teaspoons of the mixture per 200 ml of water. Take 1/2 cup warm every 3 hours.

Potions with marshmallow are also prepared.

Chest fees of the following composition are also issued:

1. Marshmallow roots 1 part, licorice roots 1 part, fruits of anise 1 part, sage leaves 1 part, pine buds 1 part. Prepare an infusion of 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 200 ml of water. Take 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day.

2. Marshmallow roots 2 parts, licorice roots 2 parts, fennel fruits 1 part. Prepare an infusion of 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 200 ml of water. Take 1/4 cup every 3 hours.

One of the most popular and widespread medicinal plants in our country is marshmallow. The mention of the medicinal properties of marshmallow is found in the writings of Avicenna, it was used for treatment by the ancient Romans and Greeks, and nowadays, infusions, decoctions and syrups of marshmallow are used both in official and folk medicine.

The healing properties of marshmallow

Althea officinalis is a perennial herb that grows throughout central Russia, Europe and South Asia. All parts of the plant are used for treatment - root, leaves and flowers..

The high efficiency of marshmallow is explained by the huge amount of biologically active substances included in its composition. So, plant roots contain mucous substances, pectins, starch, sugars, vitamins, macro- and microelements. The leaves, flowers and seeds of the plant are slightly inferior in their healing properties to the roots of marshmallow, but they have a higher content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids.

Althea officinalis has pronounced expectorant, anti-inflammatory, enveloping, wound-healing and thinning properties.
Decoctions, infusions and syrups of marshmallow are used to treat the following diseases:

• inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system - the enveloping and expectorant properties of marshmallow make it indispensable for tonsillitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and more serious illnesses respiratory organs. As an aid, decoctions and syrups of marshmallow are used even for tuberculosis and bronchopneumonia;
• for diseases of the digestive system - decoctions and infusions of marshmallow root act on the digestive organs similarly to decoction of flax - they envelop the irritated mucous membrane, softening the irritating effect of gastric juice, reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue regeneration. Althea officinalis is used to treat gastritis, stomach and intestinal ulcers, enteritis, colitis, and so on;
• with diseases genitourinary system- anti-inflammatory and enveloping effect of marshmallow helps to reduce inflammation and pain in cystitis, pyelonephritis, diseases of the ureter and other problems with the urinary organs;
• for skin and joint diseases - externally, marshmallow preparations are used for washing and preparing compresses for purulent wounds, eczema, trophic ulcer, as well as rheumatism, arthritis and some other diseases.

Contraindications

Althea officinalis is usually well tolerated and has no direct contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

The use of marshmallow in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, marshmallow is most often used to treat diseases of the respiratory system.

1. Althea tincture- used to treat tonsillitis, tracheitis and bronchitis. For its preparation, marshmallow root - 20 g, grind and pour 0.5 liters of 40% alcohol. Infuse the tincture for 10-14 days in a dark, cold place. Take 10-15 drops of marshmallow tincture, 3 times a day, before meals. The tincture is diluted with a little water. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and is 5-10 days.

2. Infusion of marshmallow root- it is used to treat diseases of the respiratory system, skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis and psoriasis. Finely crushed marshmallow root is poured with water, at the rate of 20 grams of raw materials per 300 ml of hot water (you cannot pour marshmallow root with boiling water - it can lose its medicinal properties), it is infused for several hours and 1 tbsp is taken every 2 hours. In the treatment of respiratory diseases, the course of treatment is 3-5 days, in the treatment of skin diseases - for a long time.

3. Infusion of marshmallow leaves and flowers-1 tbsp of leaves and flowers pour 1 tbsp of boiling water, insist for more than 6 hours, filter and take 1 tbsp 3 times a day. It is also used to treat respiratory diseases.

4. Infusion of marshmallow root for external use- a more concentrated infusion of marshmallow root is used for washing wounds, trophic ulcers, eczema and other skin diseases, as well as for douching with cystitis. To prepare such an infusion, 3-4 tsp of finely ground marshmallow root is poured into 1 tbsp of cold boiled water, infused for 8-10 hours and used to prepare compresses, lotions and douching solutions.

The use of marshmallow in official medicine

If you do not have time or desire to prepare decoctions and infusions of marshmallow on your own, medications with this medicinal plant can be bought at any pharmacy:

• marshmallow syrup is used to treat adults and children over 12 years of age with respiratory diseases;
• cough medicine with marshmallow - used to treat children;
• Mukaltin tablets - have anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects, are used to treat children over 12 years old and adults.

Latin name Althaea officinalis L.

Popular names: mallow, marshmallow, marshmallow, mallow, kalachiki, wild poppy.

Genus Althaea L. -

Even the ancient Greek naturalist and philosopher, one of the first botanists of antiquity Theophrastus (372-287 BC) mentioned that the infusion of roots on sweet wine is wonderful remedy against cough. It is mentioned by the Roman writer and scientist Pliny the Elder (23 or 24-79), the Roman doctors Dioscorides (1st century), Galen (c. 130 - c. 200). Under Charlemagne, this plant was intensively cultivated in pharmaceutical gardens.

In our country, 8 species of the genus Marshmallow grow, but only 2 species are used in medicine - marshmallow officinalis and Armenian marshmallow, which is distinguished by a denser pubescence of the stem and leaves, as well as strongly dissected 5-lobed medium leaves.

Leaves (1) Flowers (2) Calyx (3) Fruit (4)

Description

Perennial herb marshmallow 60-150 cm tall, with shoots grayish from dense pubescence, a short, many-headed rhizome and a large woody main root, from which numerous lateral fleshy shoots extend.

Rhizome. The underground part of the plant is the rhizome (multi-headed, overgrown root collar) with the main and lateral roots. Rhizome and main root are woody or fibrous, lateral roots (2 cm in diameter) of a looser consistency,

Stem . Mature plants with 6-10 or more straight stems are gray-green in color.

Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, lower ovate or cordate, five-lobed, upper oblong-ovate, three-lobed, densely pubescent.

Botanists distinguish two forms marshmallow officinalis: obtuse and holly.

Marshmallow Althaea officinalis L. Flowers

Flowers pink, located in the axils of the leaves, on short pedicels, and in the upper part of the stem - in the form of a spike-shaped inflorescence; the fruit is fractional, disc-shaped; when ripe, it breaks up into 15-18 separate parts.

The calyx is double, 5 inner petals, 9-12 outer petals. Corolla 5-split, petals slightly notched

Blooms from June to September.

Fetus- combined achene - dry fractional polyseeds, consisting of 15-25 fruitlets.

The first fruits ripen in July.

Seeds dark brown, smooth, covered with an easily detachable shell.

The mucous cells found in all organs of the plant serve as an adaptation against excessive evaporation of moisture.

Spreading

Distributed in the steppe and desert regions of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and also in the south of Siberia. It is cultivated in specialized farms in Ukraine and the Krasnodar Territory. Altay armenian grows in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Kazakhstan.

Habitat... Grows on loose, sufficiently moist soils in river valleys, on the shores of lakes, in meadows, among bushes and at the edges of forests.

Growing conditions

Marshmallow is an unpretentious plant, prefers shallow or medium-textured soils and shallow groundwater.

Growing marshmallow is not particularly difficult. Plots are chosen with fertile loose soils. Since autumn, rotted manure or compost is introduced at the rate of 2 buckets per 1 m2. You can additionally add up to 30 g of superphosphate and 10-15 g potassium salt... After that, you need to do a deep digging. Marshmallow roots are pivotal, and for their successful penetration into the soil, it must be loose. Seeds are sown in early spring to a depth of 2-2.5 cm.The distance between rows is 60-70 cm.To increase germination, the seeds are soaked before sowing in water heated to 40 ° C for 3-4 hours, and then ventilated and repeated soaking 2-3 times within 1-2 days. The prepared seeds are dried to a degree of flowability and sown on the site. Sometimes seeds (dry) are scarified, having previously been freed from the amniotic membrane.
If the marshmallow is already growing on your site, then it is easier to combine its reproduction with the procurement of raw materials. In autumn or spring, the plant (before regrowth begins) is dug up, the upper part of the root with the rhizome is separated, divided into parts with several dormant buds and planted in an area at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other to a depth of 10-15 cm.

Reproduction

Marshmallow is propagated mainly by seeds. It is also possible vegetatively (segments of rhizomes). Before planting in the fall, it is necessary to add rotted manure (3-4 kg / m2) and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (50 g / m2). When sowing with seeds, add granular superphosphate (3-4 g / m2). Seeds are sown in early spring in rows to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. The distance between rows is 50-70 cm. In order to increase germination, scarification is carried out.

Care

Fertilization and regular watering.

Crop care (planting) consists in maintaining the site in a loose and weed-free condition. In the second year, fertilizing with slurry (1 bucket of slurry for 5 buckets of water) or humus (U2 buckets per plant) is useful. For top dressing, you can use standard commercially available compound fertilizers.
You can dig out the harvest from the second year of life. But you shouldn't keep the plants for more than 5 years. It is better to separate them or replace them with younger ones, grown from seeds.
Marshmallow can be occupied by marshmallow aphid, which damages leaves and buds, as well as bugs and flower beetles, which damage buds, flowers and fruit1. But these pests are not as aggressive as the marshmallow moth, whose caterpillars eat up the tops of the stems, eat away the contents of buds and flowers. In some years, they can severely damage plants.
Advice... When growing on a plot, it is better to place the plant in the background of the mixborder so that it does not cover the shorter plants.

Medicinal raw materials

Medicinal use is mainly the lateral non-lignified roots of marshmallow and leaves, and flowers are also used in folk medicine. The roots are harvested in the fall in September-October after the death of the above-ground parts of the plant or in the spring before regrowth. The dug roots are shaken off the soil, quickly washed in cold water, cut into pieces and dried. In dryers, the temperature should be 40-60 ° C.
Dry raw materials are stored in a dry place for no more than 3 years.
Attention! Before drying, the raw material must not be soaked, since the mucus contained in it swells and the raw material then dries poorly and rots. When drying slowly, the quality of the raw material decreases.

Chemical composition

The rhizomes and roots of marshmallow contain mucous substances, starch, sucrose, pectin substances, carotene, mineral salts.

Active ingredients

Marshmallow roots contain about 35% of mucous substances (polysaccharides, which decompose during hydrolysis into galactose, arabinose, pentose and dextrose), 37% starch, 11% pectin substances, 8% sugars, as well as asparagine, betaine, lecithin, phytosterol, fatty oil and minerals; the content of malic and phosphoric acids was also noted. The aerial part also contains lipids and flavonoids.

Procurement of raw materials.

In culture, marshmallow blooms in the second year of life. Harvesting of roots can be carried out in the fall of the second year, but better in the third year.

The roots are dug in the fall, cleaned of the ground, cut off the upper thickened part of the rhizome with the stem. Lignified roots and small lateral roots are removed, and non-lignified ones are dried in the air. Before drying, the roots are cut into pieces, before cutting, the upper cork part of the bark is removed. Dried at a temperature not exceeding 45-50 ° C.

Application

Application in medicine... Althea was known as early as the 4th century BC under the name "alcea", which is translated from Greek as "healing". It began to be used in the Middle Ages. Root preparations are included in the pharmacopoeias of many countries as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant agent for catarrh of the respiratory tract, acute gastritis, inflammation urinary tract and colitis. A decoction of marshmallow roots is recommended for skin inflammations.

Altay has food meaning. When preparing milk porridges, you can add boiled chopped marshmallow roots to them, which will increase their nutritional value, and fresh marshmallow rhizomes, boneless in breadcrumbs or flour, are baked in the oven. Marshmallow roots are also used stewed.

In veterinary medicine decoction of marshmallow roots is used as an antidote for animal poisoning.

Use in design... Marshmallow as an ornamental plant can be used in the beds, flower beds and in the form of separate compositions. Its velvety felt leaves and pale pink flowers will adorn the backyard.

Medicinal

Therapeutic action: expectorant.
Indications for medical use: kidney and urinary tract diseases, diseases respiratory system, diseases of the skin and subcutaneous fat.

Application in official and traditional medicine

Apply medicinal preparations marshmallow with inflammatory and catarrhal phenomena of the respiratory organs (bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis). In French medicine, it is used for bronchial asthma and emphysema of the lungs. Indications for taking marshmallow are inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) - diarrhea, acute gastritis, enterocolitis. Mucus protects the nerve endings of the gastrointestinal tract from the irritating effects of food and foreign substances.
The mucous substances of marshmallow soften the taste of pungent and acidic foods, reduce irritation during inflammatory and ulcerative processes on the mucous membranes, protect tissues from drying out, as a result of which they soften, which accelerates the action of drugs. They cover the surfaces with a thin layer that stays on them for a long time. As a result, the conditions for the regeneration of damaged tissues are improved, the inflammatory process is reduced, the enveloping effect of the marshmallow root is the more effective, the higher the acidity of the gastric juice, since the viscosity of the mucus increases when it comes into contact with the acid in the stomach.

In European medicine, the infusion and decoction of marshmallow is used for cystitis and vaginitis. It is taken both internally and in the form of a sitz bath. In the form of microclysters, decoction and infusion are used for proctitis and hemorrhoids,
Externally used for rinsing in inflammatory diseases oral cavity and lotions for inflammation and skin damage. Steamed leaves have long been applied to wounds as a healing agent,
Received positive results when using the infusion of marshmallow patients with psoriasis and eczema. Decreased the severity of rashes in psoriasis. A more in-depth study revealed that the functional state adrenal cortex, which is extremely important in such diseases.
In the experiment, the plants showed antifungal activity (suppressed the development of fungal skin diseases) and are recommended as a remedy for trichophytosis and microsporia, for the prevention of mycoses when treating extensive wounds and burns.
In clinical trials, the infusion was effective for seborrhea, it is recommended for spa treatment skin diseases,
Due to the fact that marshmallow contributes to the normalization of immunological parameters, the plant should be used in collections for food and chemical allergies. The infusion and decoction had a positive effect on hypoxia.

In folk medicine Althea officinalis is used for chronic prostatitis, as a diuretic for inflammation of the bladder, painful involuntary urination, and inflammatory processes in the kidneys. A decoction of roots, leaves and seeds is recommended to be taken with stones in the bladder. A decoction of the roots is used for inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract, urinary incontinence, Cold infusion of the roots is prescribed for chronic prostatitis and prostate adenoma. Mixed with other plants, marshmallow is used for prostatitis.
Home use

Industry produces marshmallow root extract(in dry and liquid form), marshmallow syrup, mukaltin - the sum of polysaccharides from the herb marshmallow. And at home, you can also prepare several dosage forms.
In the literature, there are often recommendations for the preparation of decoction and hot infusion of marshmallow. However, experts are inclined to believe that cold infusion extracts mucus from raw materials more efficiently and, accordingly, the use of this particular dosage form is more justified. When boiled, the starch contained in the roots is brewed and prevents the active substances from passing into the solution.
Cold infusion of roots is best used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, coughs and for washing wounds on the skin. For its preparation, 6.5 g of crushed raw materials are poured into 100 ml of water at room temperature, infused for 1 hour, filtered. Take 1 tbsp. spoon every 2 hours, When coughing, add sugar or honey.
The syrup is used primarily for coughing. To prepare it, 40 g of crushed roots are boiled over low heat for 15 minutes in 1 liter of water, filtered, 1.5 kg of sugar are added, the broth is brought to a boil again and evaporated 2 times. After that, the syrup is poured into dark glass bottles and taken as needed from 2 to 4 tbsp. spoons per day.
Dried flowers also contain a large amount of polysaccharides and in folk medicine they are often used for coughing. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried flowers is poured with 1 glass of boiling water and simmered in a water bath for 15 minutes; chickpeas, After that, filter and squeeze the remaining infusion from the raw material and add 1-2 tbsp. spoons of honey. The infusion with honey is heated until 1 of the latter is dissolved. Take 1 tbsp. spoon 3-4 times a day.

Other application

The stems of the plant are used to obtain fiber. Marshmallow fiber is less strong than hemp fiber, but has low hygroscopicity; can be used for the manufacture of bags and ropes.

Notes (edit)

Armenian marshmallow is used similarly with the indicated species. Its leaves are quintuple, the upper ones are tripartite, the fruits are not pubescent at the base, on the back they are clearly transversely wrinkled.