Althea, Marshmallow
BismalvaKhatmi, Khitmi (Unani)
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Botanische wandplaten, 1904–1914
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1. Longitudinal section showing dark cambium zone. 2, Longitudinal furrow. 3, Irregular cut pieces. 4, Cross-section showing wavy cortex, dark cambium zone and wood. (Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919) |
Marshmallow root Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902 |
Botanical name:
Althea officinalis (syn. Althea vulgaris)
Parts used:
Root, Seed; sometimes leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, moist (Salmon said mildly Warm). Sweet
“Marsh mallow is moderately hot”. (Avicenna)
Classification:
2A APERIENT. 2E LENITIVE. 2G. CLEANSING. 2J. RAREFYING. 2K. RESOLVENT. 2L. EMOLLIENT. 2Q. ANODYNE. 2U. SUPPURATIVES
2V. EXPEL PUS
3E. DIURETIC. 3K. EXPECTORANT. 3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE. 3M. ARTHRITICS
4d. PECTORAL. 4e. STOMACHIC. 4h. NEPHRITIC
Uses:
1. Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat:
-conditions with dryness, Yin deficiency, or Deficient-Heat.
-pain, inflammations, spasms associated with Heat, dryness or Yin deficiency
-benefits the Blood; used for those ‘ready to faint through loss of Blood’.
2. Clears Heat, Moistens Dryness, Nourishes the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-dry, tickling or irritating cough, blood streaked phlegm, as seen in Bronchitis, Whooping Cough and Wheezing
-adjunct in the treatment of Pneumonia, Pleurisy and Consumption.
-Unani considers the seed to be especially effective in Pneumonia, Bronchitis and Pleurisy
3. Clears Heat, Eases Pain, Benefits the Stomach:
-heat, dryness and inflammation of the stomach and bowels with stomach pain; Enteritis, Gastritis, and Colitis
-traditionally for Dysentery
-gastro-duodenal Ulcers and may also be used for blood and mucous in the stool.
-Colic, griping, Wind
-decoction has been used for Hernia in traditional medicine.
4. Clears Heat, Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-painful or burning Urination; as well as Cystitis, Urethritis, and Gonorrhea
-Gravel and Stones; Used for pain associated with Stones, and to help them pass more easily
-blood in the urine
-Leaf is most used to promote Urine, decocted in Wine or Milk; for Dysuria and the pain of Stones it is decocted in Wine; the Root is more tonic, the Seed is best for Stones.
5. Nourishes Yin to Settle Wind:
-spasms, cramps, convulsions of the sinews or ‘trembling of any member’. (Root, taken internally)
-Sciatica
6. Promotes the Breast Milk:
-insufficient breast milk;
-used for obstruction of the milk ducts and Mastitis from heat. (Int. and Ext.)
7. Externally:
i. ‘applied to inflammatory Tumours and swellings of every kind’; good for ‘Hard Kernels, Swellings and Wens … for it drives away, maketh ripe or digesteth, bursteth and covereth with sin’ (Turners Herbal).
ii. Applied to Abscesses, Scrofula, Nodes, Swellings and various Inflammations such as Mastitis. The decoction in water was given by Hippocrates for this purpose.
iii. given for Trauma with Bruises, painful swellings, aches in the muscles and sinews, and dislocations
iv. allays Pain (coming from heat and dryness, or Wind), internally and externally
v. Applied to Burns (decoction, mucilage)
vi. applied to Gangrenes and Varicose Veins (decocted in wine).
vii. Externally, the leaf is used for Ulcers, Boils and Eczema; the root excels in Ulcers, especially varicose or thrombotic types.
viii. The fresh root is very good made into a poultice for chronic inflammation and to prevent mortification.
ix. The seed boiled in vinegar cleanses the skin of all discolorations.
x. The juice of the root is added to plasters and oils to ease pains and swellings.
xi. The herb steeped in Vinegar (or decocted in Wine) has been used as a mouth wash for Toothache since Dioscorides.
Dose:
It was often decocted in Milk to increase its moistening, soothing and lubricating activity in Colic, Pleurisy, Dysentery, Blood in the Urine, Gravel and Stones etc. Boiled in Wine, or Decocted in Honey water to increase its activity. Generally, the leaf and root may be used in similar doses, but the root is stronger. Cold infusions of the leaf are best, while decoction of the root is best.
Leaf or Flower in Infusion: 3–6 grams; Root in Decoction: 3–9 grams; Leaf, Root or Seed in Powder: 2–4 grams
Correctives:
1. Fennel
2. Barberry
3. Honey (Unani)
4. Jujube
Substitutes:
1. Mallow
2. Water Lily
Main Combinations:
Urinary:
1. Gravel and Stones, Dysuria from Heat, Dysentery, and Lung Heat Coughs, Marshmallow with Cough grass, Asparagus root, Licorice root, Raisins, Plantain and the 4 Cold Seeds (as in Syrup of Marshmallow)
2. Bed-wetting in children, Marshmallow root with Raspberry leaf
3. Stones:
i. Mucilage of Marshmallow mixed with Oil and applied to the kidneys and lumbar
ii. distilled water of Marshmallow
iii. take decoction of Marshmallow seed after a bath (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
4. Nephritis: China root, Scorzonera, Marshmallow, Licorice, Aniseed (½ oz.), Agrimony, Ground Ivy, Scordium, Nettle (1 handful), Figs (6), Raisins (1 oz.), St. Johns wort, Elder flower (1 pugil); form a Decoction. (Gazophylacium Medico-Physicum, Woyts, 1746)
Uterine, Damp of, and to promote Fertility, Marshmallow with Mugwort and Mercury (herb) as a fomentation (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
Lungs:
5. Irritation of the Throat, Lungs, Bladder, Bowels, decoct Marshmallow with Raisins as in Decoction of Marshmallow. This is especially good for Cough from Lung Heat and Yin deficiency with weakness.
6. Tonsillitis, Marshmallow, Camomile, Horsetail, Walnut leaf, Yarrow, Dandelion, Oak bark
7. Catarrh, Marshmallow, Fenugreek, Fennel seed
8. Cough, Bronchitis:
i. Marshmallow root with Yarrow, Licorice, Valerian
ii. Marshmallow root with Coltsfoot, Aniseed, Mallow flower, Licorice
iii. Marshmallow root with Ribwort Plantain and Fennel (Weiss)
iv. Marshmallow root with Horehound, Licorice
v. Marshmallow seed, Hyssop, Licorice decocted in wine (Botanicon Continens Herbarum, Dorsten, 1540)
vi. Syrup of Marshmallow (1 oz.), powders of Fennel seed, Aniseed, Licorice juice (1 dram each), form an Electuary. Dose: 1 teaspoonful.
9. Cough and Hoarseness, form Lozenges with Marshmallow root, Sugar and Tragacanth.
10. Shortness of Breath:
i. Marshmallow root powder (1 part), Honey (4 parts), boil gently to form an Electuary.
ii. Marshmallow root, Elecampane, Coltsfoot
Gastrointestinal:
11. Internal Ulcers and chronic Lung disease, Marshmallow root with Comfrey root
12. Gastro-duodenal Ulcers, Marshmallow root with Comfrey root, Cranesbill, Avens, Chickweed (Wonders in Weeds)
13. Peritonitis, Marshmallow root, Calamus, Dandelion root, Myrrh
Externally:
14. Hard swellings and Inflammations, Marshmallow root with Barley flour and Oil of Roses topically.
15. Cataplasm, Marshmallow root, Mallow leaf, Meliot, Camomile, Linseed
16. Abdominal pain, Marshmallow herb, Pennyroyal, Oregano, Bay berry, apply topically
17. Vitiligo, skin discoloration, decocted Marshmallow seed in wine, add Olive oil and apply (Botanicon Continens Herbarum, Dorsten, 1540)
18. Enema, Marshmallow root with Camomile and Linseed
19. Burns, Mucilage of Marshmallow root, Mucilage of Quince seed (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
20. Pain of Pleurisy:
i. Marshmallow decocted in Linseed oil and applied
ii. Marshmallow, Betony, Agrimony applied externally (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
21. Pain of the Head or Neck, Marshmallow (½ oz.), Sweet Almond oil (3 oz.), Wax, sufficient to make an Ointment. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
22. Gargle, Marshmallow leaf, mallow leaf, Elder flower (equal parts) (Hager’s)
23. “Marshmallow is painted over Pityriasis with vinegar and then the patient is exposed to sun-light”. (Avicenna)
24. Hardness of the Uterus: “used as a suppository with the gum of terebinth in uterine hardness”. (Avicenna)
Major Formulas:
Decoction of Marshmallow root
Syrup of Marshmallow (Fernel)
Pectoral Powder
Ointment of Marshmallow (Nicolas)
Diachilon Plaster (Emplastrum Diachilon)
1. Emollient Powder:
i. Marshmallow leaf, root and leaf, Licorice (4:2:1)
ii. Marshmallow leaf, Camomile and Linseed (Pharmacopeia Pauperum, 1781)
iii. Marshmallow leaf, Mallow leaf, Meliot (100 each), Linseed (200), as a cataplasm (Austria)
iv. Marshmallow leaf, Mallow leaf, Meliot, Camomile, Linseed (German)
v. Marshmallow leaf, Mallow, Meliot, Camomile, Linseed (German Pharmacopeia, c. 1900)
vi. Mallow leaf, Marshmallow root, Hemp seed (1 oz. ea.), Licorice (2 drams) (Pharmacopoeia Militaris, 1818)
vii. Marshmallow root, Comfrey, Mallow herb, Mullein (equal parts) (Pharmacopoeia medici practici universalis, Bruxelles, 1817)
viii. leaves of Mallow, Marshmallow, Mullein, Annual Mercury, Pellitory of the Wall, Groundsel (equal parts) (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)
ix. leaves of Mallow, Marshmallow, Mullein, Red Poppy flower, Linseed (equal parts) (Pharmacopoeia Herbipolitania, 1796)
x. leaves of Mallow, Marshmallow, Elder flower, Camomile (3 oz. ea.), Linseed (3 drams)
2 Marshmallow Powder (Species Althea)
i. Marshmallow leaf (1000), Marshmallow root (500), Licorice (250), Mallow flower (100( (Austria)
ii. Couch grass root, Melon seed, Marshmallow leaf (10 each), Marshmallow root, Licorice root (20 each), Mallow leaf (30) (Fernel)
3. Pectoral Powder:
i. Marshmallow root (2 parts), Coltsfoot leaf, Hyssop (10 parts)
ii. Marshmallow root, Licorice (40 each), Coltsfoot leaf, Aniseed (10 each) (Species Bechica, Hagers)
iii. with Coltsfoot, Licorice, Mullein, Aniseed, Orris root
iv. Marshmallow root (4 oz)., Licorice, Florentine Orris, Coltsfoot, Ground Ivy (2 oz. ea.), Wild Poppy flower, Mullein (1 oz. ea.) (Pharmacopoeia Hannoverana, 1819)
v. Marshmallow root (2 oz.), Licorice (1 oz.), Elder flower, Coltsfoot, Red Poppy (1 ½ oz. ea.), Raisins stoned (1 oz.), Figs (3 oz.), Aniseed (1 oz.) (Pharmacia rationalis, 1806)
vi. Flowers of Marshmallow, Catsfoot, Mullein, Red Poppy, Coltsfoot, Maidenhair, Hyssop, Harts Tongue, Ground Ivy, Speedwell
4. Pectoral Infusion of Hamburg,
i. Marshmallow, Coltsfoot, Licorice, Orris root, Poppy capsules, Mullein, Star Anise
5. Compound Syrup of Marshmallow:
i. Marshmallow root, Licorice, Maidenhair
ii. Marshmallow root and herb, Couch grass root, Raisin
iii. Syrup of Marshmallow, Syrup of Licorice, Syrup of Poppy
iv. Marshmallow root & leaf, Burnet Saxifrage root, Winter Cherry, Pellitory of the Wall (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
v. Roots of Marshmallow, Couch Grass, Asparagus, Licorice, leaves of Marshmallow, Pellitory of the Wall, Burnet Saxifrage, Plantain, White and Black Maidenhair, Raisins
6. Emollient Cataplasm:
i. leaves and Marshmallow and Mallow, flowers of Elder and Camomile (3 oz. ea), Linseed (1 ½ oz.)
ii. Mallow, Marshmallow (6 oz. ea.), Meliot, Elder flower (8 oz., ea.) Fenugreek, Linseed (24 oz. ea.) (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
iii. leaves of Marshmallow, Mallow, Meliot, Annual Mercury, Purslane, Violet, Camomile (3 handfuls ea.), Marshmallow root, Fenugreek, Linseed (3 oz. ea.), Wheat Bran (3 handfuls) (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
7. Emollient Fomentations:
i. Marshmallow herb, Sage, Elder flower, Burnet Saxifrage
ii. Marshmallow root (1 part), Sage, Marshmallow flower (2 parts)
iii. Marshmallow root, Lily root, Bryony root, Mallow leaf, Bears Breech, Violet, Camomile, Meliot (Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1824)
8. Emollient Ointment:
i. Wax (1 lb.), Resin (half lb.), Beef Suet (4 oz.), Turpentine (3 oz); melt together in a gentle heat, then strain and add powders of: Turmeric, Linseed, Fenugreek (each 1 oz.), Marshmallow root (half oz.), Wheat Flour (6 drams) (Pharmacopoeia Suecica, 1817)
Cautions:
1. Not used in weak digestion or Phlegm diseases (unless corrected)
Drug Interactions:
Due to the coumarins which increase blood clotting time, patients on anticoagulant therapy (such as Warfarin) could possbly experience an interaction (ie. increased efficacy) of their medication.
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Mucilage of the Root, Syrup of Marshmallow, Pulp of Marshmallow, Simple Lozanges of Marshmallow, Ointment
1. SIMPLE SYRUP of MARSHMALLOW.
(Syrupus de Althaeae, Riverius)
Fresh Marshmallow root ½ lb.
Refined Sugar 2 lbs.
Water 4 pints
Boil the root in the water down to half, then press out strongly when cold. Dissolve the sugar in it with the heat of B.M. Set it aside for 24 hours to allow the sediment to settle, remove the scum, and pour off the clear liquor, to keep.
2. PULP of MARSHMALLOW.
Boil Marshmallow roots until soft, then beat them well in a Mortar, and pass through a seive, adding 1 oz. of powdered Nutmeg to every pound of the Pulp. To this paste, add an equal part of Refined White Sugar, and mix or boil to the thickness of Marmalade.
‘Good for Excoriations of the Bowels, Reines, Bladder and Yard, opening the straight passages, and making them slippery, thereby giving ease in pains of the Stone and removing Stoppages of Urine and heat thereof’. Also used for Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Wheezing, Asthma, Pleurisy, as well as Whooping Cough. Applied to swellings of the breast or throat, to hard tumours, to all inflammations, as well as burns and scalds, and ‘the bitings of Men or Dogs’. Also used in enemas.
Dose: 1–3 oz
3. SIMPLE LOZENGES of MARSHMALLOW.
Marshmallow root powder 1 ½ oz.
White Sugar 4 ½ oz.
Mucilage of Tragacanth sufficient
Form into Lozenges. Orris root powder may be added for both fragrance and effect.
Very good for Hoarseness and Cough
4. OINTMENT of MARSHMALLOW.
Oil 4 lbs.
Mucilage of Marshmallow root,
Linseed and Fenugreek 2 lbs.
Boil until the water from the mucilages has evaporated. Then add:
Wax ½ lb.
Resin 3 oz.
Turpentine 1 oz.
The mucilage is prepared from 1 lb. of the fresh roots, and half pound of each of the seeds steeped, then boiled, in 8 lbs. of Spring Water. Boil them down to the consistency of an Ointment
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