Marshmallow officinalis , or PROSKURNYAK
Perennial herbaceous plant 1-1.5 m in height. The rhizome is thick, short, with a lobe of rope-like brown-yellow roots. Stem erect, branched.
Leaves are alternate with early falling stipules, long-petiolate, gray-green, heart-shaped or ovate, soft-tomentose, pubescent, unevenly crenate-serrate along the edge, the upper ones are almost three-lobed. The flowers are quite large (up to 2 cm), pale pink, crowded in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is fractional, breaking up into a significant number of one-membered fruitlets. Blooms from June to September. Roots are medicinal raw materials.
Roots are harvested in autumn or early spring. The main taproot lignified root is traditionally discarded and only non-lignified, looser and young lateral roots, also basal growths, the so-called lobes, are left; in the aftermath, they have a particularly effective therapeutic effect in dysentery. Marshmallow root is tasteless, it has the peculiarity that when it is chewed or crushed with water, a lot of mucus is released.
The roots are dug up, cleaned of earth, stems and rhizomes, quickly washed in cold water, dried in air for 2-3 days and dried in ovens or dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees (otherwise the roots will darken). Store in a dry, well-ventilated area, because raw materials easily absorb moisture, become damp and moldy. Storage period 3 years.
Althea roots contain mucous substances – up to 35%, starch – up to 37%, asparagine, detain, sucrose, pectin, fatty oil – up to 10%. The leaves and flowers contain a solid essential oil.
Mainly due to mucus marshmallow has anti-inflammatory, emollient and expectorant effect.
It is used most often for inflammatory, respiratory diseases in the form of an infusion (1:20), prepared in a cold way, also in the form of ready-made medicinal forms (dry and liquid extract) and as part of various fees.
In scientific medicine, marshmallow products are used as an anti-inflammatory, enveloping, expectorant and emollient for inflammation of the respiratory tract, as well as for diarrhea, acute gastritis, enterocolitis. Due to the presence of mucus, marshmallow slows down the absorption of substances simultaneously prescribed with it and thus prolongs their action.
Marshmallow preparations are especially indicated in pediatric practice for coughing, whooping cough. Biennial roots without bark are successfully used for diseases of the genitourinary organs, stomach ulcers, and diarrhea.
The infusion is prepared in a cold way: 6-8 g of crushed root is poured into 200 ml of cold water for an hour, filtered through gauze, sugar or honey is added. Take 20 g every 2 hours. When inflammation of the gums, tonsils and throat is used as a hot infusion for rinsing.
The plant is recommended as a good remedy for a home first aid kit.
A decoction of the roots, seeds and leaves is recommended as an expectorant, emollient for coughs, pneumonia, pleurisy, hemoptysis, bladder stones, difficulty urinating, and even tumors.
In Russian folk medicine, marshmallow root is used for catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, influenza, tonsillitis, jaundice, urinary incontinence and cholera; externally – for rinsing and washing with inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes (in the mouth, nose, on the genitals), with influenza, sore throat.
Application
Infusion: take 5 parts of crushed root to 100 parts of cold water, leave for 30 minutes, then strain and drain. The resulting mucus is ready for consumption.
Decoction: take one teaspoon of crushed root (6 g) in an incomplete or full glass of boiling water (180 ml) and leave for 10-15 minutes. Broth to use for adults – 1 tbsp. spoon after two hours, children – one teaspoon four to five times every day.
Powder: people use pre-prepared powder from marshmallow root, 2 g of which is diluted with warm water, bringing to the consistency of liquid sour cream. The resulting mucus can be taken unstrained.
Homemade extract: pour a decoction of marshmallow root (10 g per 200 ml) into a pot, cover with a lid, cover it with dough and evaporate in a Russian oven to half. Consume two teaspoons 3 times daily.
Homemade syrup: first make sugar syrup from 64 parts of refined sugar and 35 parts of water; after this thick solution boils, 4 parts of the above extract are added to it. Drink half a cup three times every day.
It is recommended to always add two or three teaspoons of pure bee honey to a decoction of marshmallow.
Althea’s substitute is forest mallow (mallow forest), the medicinal properties of which are somewhat weaker.
Together with Marshmallow officinalis, Marshmallow Armenian grows in larger quantities. Its chemical composition and medicinal properties are close to the first. It is approved for use by the State Pharmacopoeia.
On the banks of the Kuban River, marshmallow brusso-noncielifos is found. Its roots and rhizomes are developed and abound in mucus, like that of marshmallow.
For medical purposes, rhizomes and roots of 2 years of age are used. Sometimes flowers and leaves are used.
Raw materials are harvested in early spring or autumn. The dug out root is cleaned of the ground, cut into pieces of 20 cm. After drying, the roots are cleaned of bark. The thicker ones are split into 2-4 parts along and dried in a well-ventilated room or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees.
The roots contain up to 35% special mucus (the main active ingredient), starch, pectin, sugar, asparagine, phosphoric and malic acids, fatty oil and some salts.
Apply inside water infusions of roots in catarrhal conditions of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract as an emollient and sedative; as enveloping – with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Root powder is used to prepare the pill mass. Althea is also used in veterinary medicine.
The roots of marshmallow are used to prepare the so-called breast collection and marshmallow syrup.
Note: The south of the crushed root of marshmallow brussonets-leaf is poured with a glass of water at room temperature and infused for an hour, filtered and taken according to Art. spoon after 2 hours.
And also give respect to the statue of Althea the likar. Forest rolls