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Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae)
Synonym
Malva officinalis L.
Local names
Altea, altee, althea, bardul khatmi, benefischi, bismalva-hibiscus, blanca malva,
bon visclo, bourdon de St Jacques, Eibisch, Eibischwurzel, erva molle, guimauve,
Heilwurz, hobbiza, Ibischwurz, khairi, khatmi, korzén prawóslazu,
marshmallow, marshmallow root, malvaccioniu, malvavisco, marmolone, molotta,
Moorish mallow, orvosiziliz gyökér, racine d’althée,
racine de guimauve, Sammetpappel, sauvage, Schleimwurzel, suzmool, sweet weed,
white mallow, wymote
Description
A perennial herb with erect, woody stems, 60–120 cm high. Leaves alternate,
ovate to slightly cordate, serrate, velvety, large, occasionally 3-lobed. Flowers
pale pink, axillary, the calyx of each surrounded by a 6–9 cleft involucre.
Fruit a set of cocci united into a ring
Plant material used
dried roots
Chemical assays
Not less than 10% total mucilage in the peeled root as determined by gravimetric
analysis
Major chemical constituents
The mucilage content ranges from 10 to 20% and consists of a mixture of acidic
galacturonorhamnans, neutral glucans and neutral arabinogalactans
Medicinal uses
Uses supported by clinical data
None.
Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well
established documents
As a demulcent for symptomatic treatment of dry irritable coughs and irritations
of oral and pharyngeal mucosa and as an emollient for wounds and dry skin. Also
used in cough mixtures to mask the bitter or pungent taste of other drugs.
Uses described in traditional medicine
Treatment of asthma, cystitis, dysentery and irritations of the gastric mucosa
Proven pharmacological activity
Animal studies
Demulcent, Anti-inflammatory, Antitussive
Contraindications
No information available.
Warnings
No information available.
Precautions
Drug interactions
Simultaneous administration of Radix Althaeae may delay the absorption of other
drugs.
Other precautions
No information available on general precautions or precautions concerning drug
and laboratory test interactions; carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of
fertility; teratogenic and non-teratogenic effects in pregnancy; nursing mothers;
or paediatric use. Therefore, Radix Althaeae should not be administered during
pregnancy or lactation or to children without medical supervision.
Adverse reactions
No information available.
Dosage forms
Peeled or unpeeled, broken, chopped or powdered crude drug and galenical preparations
thereof. Store in a well-closed container, protected from light.
Posology
(Unless otherwise indicated)
For dry cough, oral or pharyngeal irritation: 0.5–3.0 g of crude drug
as an aqueous, cold macerate or 2–8 ml of syrup, which may be repeated
up to a daily dose of 15 g of crude drug. For gastric irritation: 3–5g
of crude drug as an aqueous, cold macerate up to three times daily
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