Updated 4 January 2024
Common origins
-
Europe, Western Asia
Botanical classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Malvales
- Family: Malvaceae
- Genus: Althaea
Components
- Mucilage (25 to 35% in roots, 5 to 8% in leaves, 10% in flowers)
- Polysaccharides
- Pectin (root)
- Flavonoids
- Phenolic acids
- Mineral salts
Parts used
-
Flowers, leaves and roots
Organoleptic properties
Odour: faint
Flavour: mild, slightly sweet and slimy
Properties
- Emollient, softening
- Anti-inflammatory for mucous membranes
- Cough suppressant
- One of the pectoral flowers
- Immunostimulant
- Mild laxative
- Diuretic
Indications
Internal use
Inflammations of the respiratory tract:
- Colds
- Irritant and pertussis coughs
- Laryngitis
- Tracheitis,
- Pharyngitis
- Bronchitis
- Angina
- Sore throat
Inflammations of the digestive tract:
Infections of the urinary tract:
External use
Precautions / Contraindications
- No special precautions at recommended doses.
- Seek medical advice in the case of diabetes (high sugar levels).
- Due to the presence of mucilage, it is recommended that the mallow infusion is taken at mealtimes and in conjunction with medical treatments or other dietary supplements.
- Consult a doctor in the event of cortisone-dependent pathology.
How to use / Current dose
Internal use
- As infusion (leaves, flowers): 20 g per litre of water, brew for 10 minutes; drink 3 cups a day.
- As a macerate then heated (roots): macerate 30 g of cut roots in 1 litre of water for 2 hours, then heat on a low heat; filter and drink 3 cups a day.
- Mother tincture or liquid extract: 30 drops in a little water, 2 or 3 times a day.
- In syrup
External use
- Gargle or mouthwash (decoction)
- Compresses (decoction)
- In compresses
- As a lotion
Additional information
Habitat and botanical description
This herbaceous perennial can grow to over 1m tall. The leaves have 3 to 5 flat lobes and are thick, whitish and hairy. The large, pinkish-white flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils. The fruits are wrinkled, blackish polyakene.
It prefers damp meadows and salty coastal areas.
Harvest time
The leaves are harvested just before flowering, in June-July, and the flowers at the beginning of flowering, between July and September. The roots are harvested in autumn from the 2nd year onwards.
Mythology / History / Anecdotes and traditional virtues
"Althaea" comes from a Greek word meaning "to heal". And from the Latin "bis-malva", twice as strong as mauve. Its soothing properties have been known since antiquity, and many indications were subsequently mentioned: cough, toothache, sore throat, earache, stomachache, diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, etc. Marshmallow root rattles have been used for generations to relieve painful teething in babies. Marshmallow root was used to make a soft, sweet confection called "marshmallow", which was originally made from marshmallow root.