Western Herbalism
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Also known as Althea, Marsh mallows, Althaea.
In its soothing influence upon the intestinal structures, it is of service when there is inflammation of the bowels or irritation from any cause, and it is often administered as an enema in dysentery, and if a few drops of laudanum be added it will often cause prompt relief from the tenesmus and general distress.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Cuts
- Gangrene
- Dry mucus membranes
- Upper respiratory infection
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Abscess
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Pharyngitis
- Cough (dry)
- Boils
- Inflammation
- Hyperacidity
- Gastrointestinal infection
- Cracked skin
- Ulcers
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Cough (irritable)
- GERD
- Cough (spastic)
- Cystitis
- Urinary tract irritation
- Wounds
- Diarrhea
- Skin abrasions
- Gastritis
- Kidney stone
- Dysentery
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Hemorrhoids
Safety
Pregnancy: Limited safety data in pregnancy
The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Cold infusion | 1-2 Tbs chopped root/c TID, more often for acute, infuse 8 hrs to extract mucilage | |
| Tincture (1:5) | 3-5 ml TID, more often for acute | 3-5 mL |
| Dried leaf 2-5 g as an infusion three times daily | 2000-5000 mg | |
| (G6, G7) 5g .(G3) Leaf, liquid extract 2-5 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily .(G6, G7) Ointment 5% Powdered althaea leaf in usual ointment base three times daily .(G6, G7) Dried root 2-5 g b | 2-5 mL | |
| (G6, G7) 6g .(G3) Root, liquid extract 2-5 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily .(G6, G7) Syrup of Althaea (BPC 1949) 2 -10 mL three times daily .(G6, G7) | 2-5 mL | |
| Dose, from a half to one dram. | 1944-3888 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Therapy. In its soothing influence upon the intestinal structures, it is of service when there is inflammation of the bowels or irritation from any cause, and it is often administered as an enema in dysentery, and if a few drops of laudanum be added it will often cause prompt relief from the tenesmus and general distress.
Therapy. Muscarine is used in the night sweats of phthisis , in a manner similar to the agaricin. Also in diabetes insipidus. Scudder gave as specific indications for the fly agaric, involuntary twitchings of the face, forehead and eyes, pressing pain in the occiput, with a lack of muscular control. It seems indicated in the typhoid conditions where there is tremor and great restlessness, with a desire to get out of bed.
Properties and Uses. The root contains large quantities of pure mucilage, which is agreeable to the taste and soothing to all mucous membranes. A decoction is useful in irritable coughs arising from acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy; also in acute dysentery and gonorrhea, and inflammation or catarrh of the bladder.
Action and Medical Uses. Okra is demulcent, mucilaginous, and the leaves are said to make an excellent emollient cataplasm. The seeds of the H. Abelmoschus (see below) were formerly considered a stomachic stimulant, antispasmodic, and nervine, but are now employed chiefly by the perfumer.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
In formulas
Marshmallow stands in 5 documented formulas in the library, among them Dry Cough & Irritated Throat Formula, Urinary Tract Infection Formula.
Often paired with
aloe veraAloe vera
Slippery elmUlmus rubra
Wild cherryPrunus serotina
Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabra
BuchuAgathosma betulina
BearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursiNearby on the shelf
MarjoramOriganum majorana
Marking nutSemecarpus anacardium
Marsh ParsleySelinum
Marsh rosemaryStatice caroliniana
MasticPistacia lentiscus
MaticoArtanthe elongata
May applePodophyllum peltatum
May changLitsea cubebaThe whole plate is in the library. The compass, Compare, the Sky of eleven hundred plants and the formulary open with an email address and a password, free, with the formula builder and its safety engine. Herbert without limit, his formulating, clients, the handouts and the labels are the paid room.
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