Althea officinalis

Althea officinalis [Image]. [2014]. Retrived from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Althaea_officinalis_%27Marsh_Mallow%27_%28Malvaceae%29_flower.JPG

Common name: 
Marshmallow
(Bone, 2003, p. 120). 
 

Latin binomial:
Althea officinalis
(Bone, 2003, p. 120). 

Family: 
Malvaceae
(Bone, 2003, p. 120). 
 
Parts used:

Flower   
(Bone, 2003, p. 120).  

Active constituents:

• Saponins
• Carotenoids
• Bitter principles
• Essential oils
• Sterols
• Flavonoids
• Mucilage 

(Hoffman, 1983, 208).

Actions:

• Vulnerary
• Anti-inflammatory
• Lymphatic
• Styptic
• Antimicrobial
• Antiviral
• Antifungal   

(Bone, 2003, p. 120). 

Indications:

• Internal and topical treatment for inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa
• Internal treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Topical treatment for burns
• Topical treatment for inflammation of the skin and mucosa, wounds, especially poorly healing wounds
• Topical treatment for leg ulcers
•  Topical treatment for eczema, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, acne, vaginal discharge 

 (Bone, 2003, p. 120).  

  
Dosage:

• 1.5-4.5 ml of 1:2 liquid extract dose per day
• 10-30 ml of 1:2 liquid extract dose per week   

(Bone, 2003, p. 120).  

Combinations: 
Can be combined with Marshmallow root and American caresbill for digestive problems. As well as Slippery elm, golden seal and myrrh (Hoffman, 1983, 208). 

References:

Bone, K. (2003) A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs; herbal formulations for the individual patient. Churchill, Livingstone: Missouri.

Hoffman, D. (1983) The holistic herbal. Element books: Dorset.