Althae is used for its therapeutic values

1. Althae officinalis Linn.
29-4-2020

2. Vernacular
Names
 Family: Malvaceae
 Arabic Name: Khatmi, Khatmitah
 Urdu Name: Khatmi, Gul Khairo
 English Name: Marsh Mallow
 Not to be Confused With: May be
confused with other Althea species.
 Other Names: Moorish Mallow,
Cheeses, White Maoow, Althea,
Mortification Root, Sweet Weed,
Wymote, Mallards, Schloss Tea

3. Parts Use
 Root
 Seeds
 Flowers.

4. Temperament  Warm, inclined towards balanced temperament.

5. Habitat and Production
 The plant was originally indigenous to Asia and then spread westward to
southeast Europe and eastward to China. In temperate latitudes,
Marshmallow is established as a gardSFplant.
 Marshmallow root consists of the dried root, unpeeled or peeled, of Althaea
officinalis. The root cultures are harvested from October to November, and
after cleaning, are carefully dried at a maximum temperature of 35° C.
Marshmallow leaves consist of the dried leaves of Althaea officinalis. After
harvest, the leaves are dried at a temperature of 40° C.

6. Actions and Pharmacology
 COMPOUNDS Mucilages: mixture of colloidally soluble polysaccharides,
particularly galacturonic rhamnans, arabinogalactans, arabans and glucans
 Pectins
 Starch
EFFECTS
 The drug alleviates local irritation, inhibits mucociliary activity, stimulates
phagocytosis, and functions as an antiinflammatory and anticomplementary
agent, immune stimulant and hypoglycemic. Efficacy has been demonstrated
when used as a gargle for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the
mouth and throat.

7. Pharmacological Actions
 Emollient
 Demulcent
 Suppurative
 Expectorant
 Mucilaginous
 Repercussive
 Reduces inflammation and irritation
of the respiratory and gastro-
intestinal tract as well as of the
urinary passages.
 Its action is referred as mechanical
in as much as it forms a soft smooth
covering over the inflamed or
irritated parts with which it comes in
contact and thus protects them from
friction, and allows the process of
repair to go on undisturbed.

8. Indications and Usage
Approved by Commission E:
 • Cough/bronchitis
 Unproven Uses: Uses of the drug include irritation of the oral and pharyngeal
mucosa and associated dry cough; mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
as cataplasm for light inflammations and skin burns; and for insect bites.
 In folk medicine, marshmallow is employed for catarrh of the mouth, throat,
gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract, as well as for inflammation, ulcers,
abscesses, burns, constipation and diarrhea

9. Specific Action
SUPPURATIVE REPERCUSSIVE EMOLLIENT EXPECTORANT

10. Medicinal Uses
 Marsh Mallow is recommended as an
expectorant for cough and to relieve
pharynx and chest congestion.
 Infusion of the flowers given in bronchial
catarrh and in bronchitis.
 Roots are used as demulcent in
bronchitis and seeds as useful in kidney
and bladder troubles.
 Leaves and flowers are also applied to
burns.
 In bilious diarrhea, infusion of the root is
of utmost use.
 Due to its repercussive and resolvent
actions, prescribed in sciatica,
rheumatism, pleurisy, pneumonia and
chest congestion, and in catarrhs of
pectoral (infectious or environmental
origin) or cephalic regions, as
suppurative and expectorant in (the
condition of flu, nasal catarrh,
headache, indigestion, etc.) it acts as
decongestant, and emollient.

11. Drug Interactions:
 The absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed.

12. Compound
Preparations
 Laooq
Sapistan
 Joshanda
 Banadiq-al-
Bazur
 Dawai Aab
Zan
 Matbokh
Nazla
 Joshina
 Sherbet
Ustukhudus
 Laooq
Mo'tadil
 Laooq Nazla
 Marham
Dakhliyun

13. Dosage
 5 gm.
 Mode of Administration: Cut leaves for aqueous extracts as well as other galenic
preparations for internal use.
 Cut or ground root for aqueous extracts as well as other galenic preparations for
internal use.
 Marshmallow syrup is to be used only for treatment of dry coughs.
 Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 6 gm of the root and 5 gm of the leaf. The
tea dosage is several cups of the slightly warmed tea taken during the course of
the day. A single dose of the syrup is 10 gm.
 Note: Diabetics need to consider sugar concentration of marshmallow syrup

14. Corrigent
 Honey
 Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.).

15. Tenedium
 Khubazi (Malva sylvestris Linn.)

16. Precautions and Adverse Reactions
 General: No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the
proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

17. Comments
 Long-term use or large doses may
cause some harm to stomach due to its
collection/resolution of turbid matter
(malhumours) from pectoral region and
expectoration through the digestive
tract.

18. Storage
 The drug should be protected from light sources and insects.

19. References
 PDR for Herbal Medicine
 Indusyunic Medicine