Althaea officinalis wild plants. Marshmallow - medicinal properties, recipes, contraindications

Oncological diseases, rightfully considered the plague of the 21st century, do not spare even children. According to statistics, the leading position among pediatric oncology is occupied by leukemia - a pathology of blood cells. It accounts for 35% of cases and is more often diagnosed in boys. It is important to recognize leukemia in time, symptoms in children detected on early stage, will not lead to serious complications. Let's take a closer look at what it is terrible pathology in order to take timely measures and save the child’s life.

Leukemia - what is it

Leukemia, or leukemia, leukemia, is a malignant tumor pathology that affects hematopoietic and lymphatic tissue. Leukemia in children is characterized by changes in blood flow bone marrow, accompanied by the replacement of healthy blood cells immature blasts of the leukocyte series.

The number of children suffering from leukemia is growing steadily. Child mortality from blood cancer is high.

Leukemia in a child is characterized by an uncontrollable accumulation of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow.

There are two forms of leukemia:

Acute, characterized by the absence of red blood cell production and the production of a large number of white immature cells.
The chronic form is accompanied by long-term replacement of healthy cells with pathological white blasts. Characterized by a more gentle course. According to statistics, patients diagnosed with chronic leukemia blood" live from 1 year or more.

Leukemia is not characterized by the flow of forms.

There are lymphoblastic and non-lymphoblastic types of acute leukemia.

Lymphoblastic leukemia is formed from lymphoblasts located in the red bone marrow, which subsequently spread to the lymph nodes and spleen.

Diagnosed in children over 1 year of age.

Nonlymphoblastic leukemia, or myeloid, is characterized by the formation of a myeloid blood cell tumor, accompanied by a very rapid proliferation of white blood cells. This type pathologies are diagnosed less frequently. Boys and girls aged two to three years are at risk.

Why does malignant pathology appear?

Scientists are still unclear about some of the causes of leukemia in children. However, there are some theoretical and practical justifications for answering the question of why children suffer from leukemia. Highlight following reasons leukemia in children:

Genetic predisposition. Pathological genes are formed as a result of intrauterine chromosomal changes, which produce substances that prevent the maturation of healthy cells.
Viral infection of the body. As a result suffered by the child diseases of viral etiology, for example, chicken pox, mononucleosis, ARVI, etc., viruses are integrated into the cellular genome.
Immunodeficiency. The immune system cannot cope with the destruction of foreign organisms and ceases to destroy its own pathological cells, including malignant ones.
Radiation causes mutations in blood cells. Risk factors include maternal exposure to radiation (X-rays, tomography) during gestation, as well as living in a radioactive zone.
Adverse habits of parents, especially mothers. Smoking, drinking alcohol and drug addiction.
Secondary leukemia after radiation or chemotherapy for another cancer.

Leukemia also develops in children due to the formation of ozone holes as a result of active solar radiation. The causes of leukemia in children also lie in genetic pathologies, such as Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome, etc., as well as polycythemia.

How to recognize pathology

Typically, the first signs of leukemia manifest themselves gradually and are accompanied by symptoms characteristic of other pathologies:

increased fatigue;
lack of appetite;
sleep disorder;
causeless increase in temperature;
bone and joint pain.

As you can see, these signs of leukemia in children are similar to the symptoms of a common cold. They are often accompanied by the appearance of red spots throughout the body, as well as an enlargement of the liver and spleen.

This requires immediate medical attention.

There are cases childhood leukemia, the symptoms of which are characterized by a sudden manifestation of severe poisoning of the body (nausea, vomiting, weakness) or bleeding, most often nasal.

Symptoms of leukemia in children depend on the characteristics of the development of the malignant disease. Pathological cells, affecting the body, continue to actively reproduce, leading to an acute form of leukemia.

It is characterized by following symptoms leukemia in children:

A sharp drop in hemoglobin. Anemia develops, accompanied by lethargy, muscle pain, and rapid fatigue.
A decrease in platelet levels provokes the development hemorrhagic syndrome, manifested by various hemorrhages, bleeding from the nose, gums, stomach, intestines, and lungs. Even a scratch becomes a source of active bleeding in children.
Immunodeficiency syndrome manifests itself as a result of an increased concentration of leukocytes in the blood, which makes the child’s body vulnerable to infectious and inflammatory processes. Gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis and other infections often occur. Very often, children with leukemia die due to the development of severe forms of pneumonia or sepsis.
Intoxication of the body is manifested in childhood leukemia by a feverish state, anorexia, vomiting, and leads to the development of malnutrition. Dangerous complication of leukemic infiltration of the brain.
Cardiovascular disorders with signs of tachycardia, arrhythmia, changes in the heart muscle.
Pronounced pallor or yellowness of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
Painful enlargement of lymph nodes.
When the brain is damaged due to leukemia, children experience dizziness, migraine-like pain, and paresis of the limbs.

Leukemia in newborns is recognized by obvious developmental delays.

There are three stages of leukemia; according to the symptoms in children, they manifest themselves as follows:

The initial stage is expressed by a slight deterioration in health ( early signs described above).
The advanced stage occurs against the background of pronounced symptoms listed earlier. Everyone talks about the need for a complete examination of the body to exclude serious diseases.
There is no cure for the terminal stage. Accompanied by complete hair loss, severe pain syndrome, the formation of metastases, leading to the active spread of pathological cells and leukemic damage to the entire body.

Prevent the appearance irreversible consequences Seeing a doctor, early diagnosis of blood cancer, and strict adherence to all medical prescriptions will help.

Diagnosis of leukemia

Primary Responsibility in Recognition primary manifestations Leabria lies with the pediatrician, then the child is treated by an oncohematologist.

Childhood leukemia is recognized using the following laboratory tests:

clinical blood test;
Strenal puncture and myelogram are mandatory methods in the diagnosis of leukemia;
trepanobiopsy;
cytochemical, cytogenetic and immunological studies;
Ultrasound of internal organs, as well as lymph nodes, salivary glands, scrotum;
radiography;
CT scan.

In addition, mandatory consultation with a neurologist and ophthalmologist is required.

Treatment of a serious illness

At the very frequently asked question Whether leukemia can be treated in children, unfortunately, cannot be answered unequivocally. Statistics operate the following facts: 10-20% of children cannot be cured. However, doctors say that leukemia in children is not a death sentence, and 80-90% of children are cured thanks to early diagnosis and the capabilities of modern medicine.

The main goal in the treatment of blood cancer is the destruction of all immature blast cells of the leukocyte series through the use of complex therapy.

Treatment of leukemia in children is carried out strictly in a hospital under constant monitoring medical personnel. Since the child’s body is susceptible to rapid infection, he is given a separate room, external contact is excluded, and he is required to wear a bandage that protects the respiratory organs.

With leukemia in children, the treatment of which requires a lot of time and effort, it is important for parents to be patient and support the child in everything to achieve a stable remission of the disease.

Main therapeutic method for leukemia is polychemotherapy, carried out with strict adherence to the rules, timing and dose of drugs. The main task of the doctor is to select the exact dosage of medications in order to destroy pathological cells and not harm health little patient. Often the treatment process is accompanied by a very serious condition of the patient.

In addition to chemotherapy treatment for leukemia, your doctor will prescribe immunotherapy, which includes administering BCG vaccines, smallpox, leukemia cells.

In some cases, bone marrow and stem cell transplants are used.

Based on the symptoms children exhibit, treatment for leukemia may vary.

In general, therapy that eliminates the symptoms of the disease includes the following procedures:

blood transfusion;
prescribing hemostatic drugs for hemorrhagic syndrome;
antibiotics to treat infections that often accompany leukemia;
detoxification by plasmapheresis, hemosorption.

Therapy for childhood leukemia is supported by proper balanced nutrition:

refusal of fatty, spicy, pickled products;
limiting the consumption of semi-finished products;
eating fresh, just cooked food in warm liquid form;
complete exclusion of probiotics.

Is it possible to prevent the recurrence of leukemia? Doctors respond positively if you strictly follow medical recommendations and lead healthy image life.

What are the prognosis of the disease?

Untreated blood cancer in children is fatal. If detected early, leukemia is curable in 80% of cases. More often favorable outcome observed in the absence of relapses after chemotherapy for 5 years.

If the disease has not manifested itself for about 7 years, complete relief from the terrible illness is possible.

Less favorable outcome for chronic form myeloid leukemia, as well as with the development of leukemia in a newborn (up to 1 year) child.

However, these data are conditional; a complete relapse can also occur with acute leukemia. It is difficult to say exactly what affects the prognosis and course of the disease. It depends on each specific case.

The main thing to remember is that at the first symptoms of leukemia in children, you should immediately contact medical institution. The life of a little patient depends on your actions and competent treatment prescribed by the doctor.

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Althaea officinalis L. (1753)

Althaea officinalis or Marshmallow, – also known as marshmallow, marshmallow, mallow, wild Rose, kalachiki, is a perennial herbaceous plant up to one and a half meters high.

Latin name of plants marshmallow genus comes from the Greek word althos– “doctor” and clearly indicates the healing properties of plants of this kind. Gradually Latin name transformed into some Slavic names, in particular in Russian, Bulgarian and Ukrainian.

Biological description of marshmallow

Althaea officinalis- a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 70-150 cm, covered with multi-pointed or almost stellate hairs, in the upper part, especially the leaves, often silky-velvety.

The marshmallow rhizome is short and thick, multi-pointed, with a powerful taproot, woody, white main root up to 2 cm thick and up to half a meter long, with numerous whitish fleshy lateral roots.

Stems, as a rule, are several, less often single, round, erect, simple or weakly branched, woody at the base or in the lower part, cylindrical, glabrous during flowering, sometimes dirty purple; on thick stems, depressed, intermittent furrows are formed, located along the furrows, turning at the base into an almost reticulate pattern with longitudinally elongated loops.

Marshmallow leaves planted on petioles, 2-6 cm long. The lower leaves are broadly ovate to almost rounded, heart-shaped at the base, rounded or cut off, mostly obtuse, with moderately developed single or double lobes, withering during flowering and fruiting; middle leaves are similar to the lower ones, ovate or heart-shaped, with a cut or rounded base, more solid, 5-15 cm long and 3-12.5 cm wide; the upper ones are solid, oblong-pointed or ovoid, with a rounded or broadly wedge-shaped base.

Marshmallow flowers on very short pedicels, crowded at the apex of the stem, regular, 2-10 mm long, sometimes from the axils, along with the general peduncle, individual flowers emerge on pedicels 2-4 cm long. The subchases are almost half as long as the calyx, consists of 8- 42 linear, only fused leaflets almost at the base, 3-6 mm long. The calyx with the subcup, remaining with the fruit, is grayish-green, 6-12 mm long, deeply incised into five triangular-ovate, pointed lobes. The undergrowth is deeply dissected into 8-12 linear leaves fused at the base. The corolla is light or bright pink, sometimes almost white, rarely reddish-pink, and purple at the base.

Flower formula:

Marshmallow fruit- a flat, disc-shaped fractional polysperm with a diameter of 7-10 mm, in a mature state it breaks up along the suture into 15-25 yellowish-gray single-seeded fruitlets. Fruitlets are 3-3.5 mm high, 2.5-3 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, with slight transverse wrinkles, with blunt, slightly rounded edges, densely covered with stellate hairs along the entire back. The seeds are smooth, dark gray or dark brown, kidney-shaped, 2-2.5 mm long and 1.75-2 mm wide. The weight of 1000 seeds is 2.0-2.7 grams.

Flowering of marshmallow begins in the second year, occurs in June - August, the fruits ripen in August - October.

Where does marshmallow grow (distribution and ecology)

The area where marshmallow grows covers almost the entire territory of Europe, the Middle East, Western Asia, Central Asia, North Africa and China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region). In Russia it is found in the European part (except for the north), in the forest-steppe and steppe zones of the Volga region, North Caucasus, Eastern and Western Siberia, including in Altai. How does an alien grow in North America. For pharmaceutical needs, it is cultivated in the Krasnodar region of Russia and Ukraine.

In the wild, marshmallow can be found in floodplains of rivers and ditches, in shrubs and coastal thickets, along the banks of reservoirs, in swampy lowlands in semi-deserts, saline and saline meadows, and less often in fallow lands. Grows better on lungs wet soils with shallow groundwater.

It reproduces mainly through seeds. When sowing, it is recommended to use 1-2 year old seeds. In some cases, propagation by division of rhizomes is used.

What does marshmallow contain?

IN marshmallow roots starch (up to 37%), mucous substances (up to 35%), pectin (11-16%), sugars (8%), lecithin, carotene, phytosterol, mineral salts And fixed oils(1-1.5%). The composition of marshmallow rhizomes also includes essential for human body amino acids, in particular from 2 to 19.8% asparagine and up to 4% betaine.

The leaves are rich in mucilage, essential oil, rubber-like substances, carotene, and ascorbic acid.

Fatty oil from marshmallow seeds contains – oleic (30.8%), α-linoleic (52.9%); α-linolenic (1.85%) and β-linolenic acid (0.65%).

The amount of mucus, sugar and other substances varies significantly depending on the time of year. Ash is rich in phosphates.

Pharmacological properties

Marshmallow root– a sample of a mucus-containing medicinal plant, according to the content and number of bio active substances comparable to flax seeds. All this determines the healing properties of the plant.

Preparations based on marshmallow stimulate tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and have an expectorant effect. Aqueous extracts in large doses envelop the gastric mucosa, and the higher the acidity, the better the effect and effect. gastric juice. Marshmallow is also used for diarrhea, acute gastritis and enterocolitis. It is also included in the breast collection.

When to collect and how to store marshmallow

Used as medicinal raw materials roots of biennial plants: raw marshmallow root – Radix Althaeae naturale, purified marshmallow root – lat. Radix Althaeae, (they are harvested in early spring or autumn after the stems have dried), and also marshmallow herb– Herba Althaeae officinalis. Harvesting is carried out every three to four years, leaving up to 30% of the plants for restoration.

The dug up roots are cleared of soil, the stems, capitate and non-lignified parts of the rhizomes and the woody tap root are cut off. The resulting raw materials are washed, dried in piles for 2-3 days, then cut into pieces 30-35 cm long, thick ones are additionally split lengthwise (if you want to get peeled roots, then remove the plug from the dried roots), after which they are laid out on a cloth or mesh and dried in ventilated areas or dryers at a temperature of 45-50 °C.

At storage of marshmallow It should be taken into account that the raw material is hygroscopic and easily damp, so it is stored in dry, well-ventilated areas in wooden boxes lined with paper; flowers and leaves are best stored in tin boxes. The roots are usable for 3 years.

Marshmallow grass is harvested during the first month of flowering.

For what diseases is marshmallow used?

Valuable medicinal properties of marshmallow associated with a high content of mucus, which swells in water and forms colloids that form mucous protective membranes. What is important is that it lasts for a long time.

At this time, the damaged membranes are regenerated and inflammation is reduced. The resulting layer protects against harmful effects environment, which helps alleviate symptoms and speed up the healing of wounds and ulcers.

For diseases of the upper respiratory tract and at persistent cough Syrup from marshmallow flowers will be useful and aqueous extracts from leaves.

Preparations based on marshmallow are recommended for damage to the mucous membrane hot liquids and caustic substances. In turn, aqueous extracts from the root are recommended for inflammatory diseases and urinary tract diseases(including in diseases of the ureters, bladder), as well as catarrh of the gastrointestinal tract and in treatment peptic ulcer. Marshmallow root powder is useful for painful constipation.

You can also use marshmallow ointment to treat burns, ulcers and difficult-to-heal wounds. For this purpose, a mixture of crushed roots of this plant with a small amount of water is prepared. Aqueous extracts from the leaves are also recommended in case of skin diseases , and also when inflammation of the conjunctiva and eyelids.

In cosmetics, marshmallow is used as a component of masks and lotions for skin care. Due to its ability to relieve inflammatory processes, raw materials from this plant are included in herbal mixtures for cleansing sensitive and dry skin. In addition, it is used to care for dry hair.

Use of marshmallow in traditional and folk medicine (recipes)

IN folk medicine marshmallow are used relatively little, as they are rarely found in the wild.

Long-term use of drugs based on marshmallow can be dangerous. The mucus present in all parts of this plant slows down the absorption of many substances in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to a deficiency of vitamins, mineral salts or other essential substances.

Marshmallow roots are used in the form of powder, dry extract, infusion and syrup to obtain the drug mucaltin.

Althaea is often prescribed for tonsillitis and diarrhea. For this, 20 g of marshmallow (root, flowers or leaves) and half a liter of water (or fresh milk) are boiled with added sugar. The prepared decoction is drunk before and after dinner, instead of tea.

Marshmallow is widely used in folk medicine of many peoples as an external remedy (rinses, lotions) - for inflammation, burns, tumors, lichens, and internally - for coughs, poisoning, etc. For example, in Bulgaria, for these indications, they drink tea from flowers or root powder.

For external use (for swelling, pimples, boils, eye inflammation, body itching), marshmallow is boiled in water or fresh milk and applied to the affected area.

A decoction of marshmallow rhizomes, and more often a decoction of flowers, is used to wash the eyes for inflammation, to gargle for sore throats and rotting eyelids, as well as in the form of enemas for diarrhea and in other cases.

Some medicinal Preparations based on marshmallow:

Drug name	Compound
Marshmallow root infusion	6-7 grams of finely chopped marshmallow root, infused in 100 ml of water.
Marshmallow syrup	2 grams of dry marshmallow root extract per 98 grams of sugar syrup.
Chest collection No. 1	2 parts marshmallow root, 2 parts coltsfoot leaves, 1 part oregano herb.
Chest collection No. 2	1 part marshmallow root, 1 part elecampane root, 1 part licorice root.
Breast tea No. 1	1 part marshmallow root, 1 part anise, 1 part licorice roots, 1 part pine buds, 1 part sage leaves.
Breast tea No. 2	2 parts marshmallow root, 2 parts licorice roots, 1 part fennel fruit.

Good to know...

Althaea pink(more often called mallow) is grown as an ornamental plant. It has a similar effect on humans, but less pronounced.
The stems contain cream-colored fibers that are quite short and coarse, which are of no practical use but can be used to make rope and paper.
Marshmallow roots are eaten raw and boiled, and jelly and porridge are prepared from them. In ground form, they are added to baked goods.
Marshmallow flowers and grass contain a pigment - malvidin, which gives the wool a red color, with iron salts it gives a blackish-blue or gray color, with aluminum salts - gray or grayish-violet, and with tin salts - dark purple.
Fatty oil from marshmallow fruits is used in the paint and varnish industry, and the roots are used to make glue.
Althaea officinalis is a honey plant.

Althaea officinalis (Althaeae officinalis L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Malvaceae family, 1.5-2 m high. The rhizome is multi-headed, the root is taproot, fleshy, with a few lateral roots. Mature plants with 6-10 or more straight stems grey-green color. The leaves are alternate, long-petiolate, the lower ones are five-lobed, the upper ones are oblong-ovate, three-lobed, densely pubescent. The flowers are pink, located in the axils of the leaves, on short stalks, and in the upper part of the stem - in the form of a spike-shaped inflorescence; The fruit is fractional, disc-shaped, and when ripe, breaks up into 15-18 separate parts. The seeds are covered with an easily peelable shell.

In the wild, marshmallow can be found in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part, in the Caucasus and the south of Western Siberia. It grows on loose, fairly moist soils in river valleys, among bushes and on the edges of forests.

When growing on the site, it is better to place it in the background of the mixborder, otherwise it will cover shorter plants - when good care and on fertile soils the marshmallow reaches 2.5 m in height. It blooms for about a month and a half in the second half of summer. The light pink, almost white flowers themselves are not as showy as mallow, but the thick mass of greyish-green foliage can create a nice backdrop for other plantings.

Growing and care

Growing marshmallows is not particularly difficult. Sites are selected with fertile, loose soils. In the fall, rotted manure or compost is added at the rate of 2 buckets per 1 m2. You can additionally add up to 30 g of superphosphate and 10-15 g of potassium salt. After this, you need to do a deep digging. The roots of the marshmallow are taproots, and for them to successfully penetrate into the soil, it must be loose. Seeds are sown in early spring to a depth of 2-2.5 cm. The distance between rows is 60-70 cm. You can pre-soak the seeds for 1-2 days in warm water. The prepared seeds are dried to the point of flowability and sown on the site. Sometimes seeds (dry) are first scarified, freeing them from the amniotic membrane. Pre-sowing preparation allows you to get seedlings almost a week earlier.

If marshmallow is already growing on your site, then it is easier to combine its propagation with the procurement of raw materials. In autumn or spring, before regrowth begins, the plant is dug up and separated top part root with rhizome, divided into parts with several dormant buds and planted in an area at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other to a depth of 10-15 cm.

Care for crops (plantings) consists of maintaining the area in a loose and weed-free state. For feeding during spring regrowth, you can use standard complex fertilizers available on the market.

Among the pests, plants can be affected by cutworms and weevils. Of the diseases, the most dangerous is rust ( Puccinia malvacearum).

Preparation of medicinal raw materials

You can dig up roots starting from the second year of life. But you should not keep the plants for more than five years. It is better to divide them or replace them with younger ones grown from seeds.

As mentioned above, as a medicinal raw material in our country scientific medicine uses marshmallow roots and above-ground mass for the drug Mucaltin, and flowers are also used in folk medicine. The European Pharmacopoeia includes roots and leaves separately.

It is possible to use another type of roots - Althea Armenian (Althaeae armeniaca Ten. ). It differs from the previous species in strongly dissected five-part leaves (the upper ones are tripartite), and the flowers are not sessile, but on long stalks. The fruits are pubescent at the base, clearly transversely wrinkled on the back. Found in Central Asia, in the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia, in the lower reaches of the Don and Volga.

The roots are harvested in the fall in September-October after the above-ground parts of the plant die off or in the spring before regrowth begins. They are shaken off the soil, quickly washed in cold water, cut into pieces and dried. When drying, raw materials cannot be soaked, as the mucus contained in them swells, and then the raw materials dry poorly and rot. If dried in a dryer, the preferred temperature is 40-60 o C. Slow drying reduces the quality of the raw material. Dry raw materials are stored in a dry place for no more than 3 years.

The leaves, as required by the European Pharmacopoeia, are collected before or during flowering. Flowers - as they bloom.

Medicinal properties

Marshmallow roots contain about 10-20% (up to 35%) mucous substances, which are highly branched arabinans, glucans, arabinogalactans, which decompose during hydrolysis into galactose, arabinose, pentose and dextrose, 37% starch, 11% pectin substances, 8% sugars , as well as asparagine, betaine, lecithin, phytosterol, fatty oil and minerals; The content of malic and phosphoric acids was also noted. The leaves contain 6-10% mucus and vitamin C. The aerial part also contains lipids and flavonoids. Flowers contain 5-9% mucus.

In ancient Greece, marshmallow was known as “alcea” (healing - Greek). The father of botany, Theophrastus, mentioned that an infusion of the roots in sweet wine is an excellent cough remedy. Dioscorides expanded its use and prescribed it for dysentery and cystitis. Medieval doctors, primarily Benedictine monks, bred it in apothecary gardens and actively used it in colds and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Ibn Sina recommended marshmallow preparations for hemoptysis, joint pain and radiculitis.

In medieval France, young shoots and leaves were used in salads to activate kidney function and remove toxins. Medicinal preparations of marshmallow are used for inflammatory and catarrhal phenomena of the respiratory system (bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis). In French medicine it is used for bronchial asthma and emphysema. In addition, marshmallow is prescribed for pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis.

The medicinal properties of marshmallow are due to the high content of polysaccharides, which can swell strongly in an aquatic environment and cover thin layer mucous membranes and skin. This layer protects the surface from exposure harmful factors(cold and dry air, irritating effects of dust on the respiratory tract and food on the gastrointestinal tract, drying out). Indications for taking marshmallow are inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, acute gastritis, enterocolitis). Mucus protects nerve endings Gastrointestinal tract from irritating effect food and foreign substances. In addition, the mucous-polysaccharide complex absorbs and adsorbs microbial, viral and toxic products. Under this layer, the activity of the inflammatory process decreases, the crusts soften, and ulcers and erosions heal faster. In acute gastrointestinal diseases, especially those accompanied by diarrhea, marshmallow has not only medicinal but also nutritional value due to its very high content starch.

The mucous substances of marshmallow soften the taste of spicy and sour foods, reduce irritation of the mucous membranes during inflammatory and ulcerative processes, protect tissues from drying out, as a result of which they soften, and this in turn accelerates recovery.

Polysaccharides help increase protective forces organism and activate phagocytosis, lower blood sugar.

In European medicine, marshmallow infusion and decoction are used for cystitis and vaginitis. Taken both internally and in the form of sitz baths. In the form of microenemas, decoction and infusion are used for proctitis and hemorrhoids. Externally used for rinsing for inflammatory diseases oral cavity and lotions for inflammation and skin damage.

The leaves are used similarly to the roots. Steamed leaves have long been applied to wounds as a healing agent.

Received positive results when using marshmallow infusion by patients with psoriasis and eczema. The severity of psoriasis rashes decreased. In the experiment, marshmallow preparations showed antifungal activity (suppressed the development of fungal skin diseases) and are recommended as a remedy for trichophytosis and microsporia, for the prevention of mycoses during treatment extensive wounds and burns. The plant should be used in preparations for food and chemical allergies. Infusion and decoction had a positive effect in cases of hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

Experiments have shown the antibacterial activity of marshmallow tincture against the causative agent of cholera and shigella.

In a mixture with other plants, marshmallow is used for urolithiasis, cystitis, prostatitis.

A very interesting property of marshmallow in vitro is to disrupt the molecular mechanisms of activation of human melanocytes when exposed to UV, which allows us to consider it as a potential component of products intended for skin depigmentation.

Exists big number recipes for marshmallow root remedies. According to German herbalists, it is preferable to cook cold infusion, since with the hot cooking method the starch contained in the raw material is brewed and makes it difficult for the active ingredients to pass into the infusion. It is optimally used for diseases of the stomach and intestines (colitis, enteritis, etc.), coughs and for washing skin wounds. To prepare it, pour 6.5 g of crushed raw materials into 100 ml of water at room temperature, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 1 tablespoon every 2 hours. When coughing, add sugar or honey.

In domestic literature, preference is given to hot infusion. 2-3 tablespoons of roots are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and left for 10-12 hours. Drink during the day in 3 doses, ½ cup each, 20-40 minutes before meals.

Syrup used primarily for coughs. To prepare it, cook 40 g of crushed roots over low heat for 15 minutes in 1 liter of water, filter, add 1.5 kg of sugar, bring the broth to a boil again and evaporate by half. After this, pour the syrup into dark glass bottles and take 2 to 4 tablespoons per day as needed when coughing.

Dried flowers also contain a large amount of polysaccharides and are often used in folk medicine for coughs. Pour 1 tablespoon of flowers into 1 glass of boiling water and simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes. After this, strain and squeeze out the remaining infusion from the raw materials and add 1-2 tablespoons of honey. Heat the infusion with honey until the latter dissolves. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day for cough.

An important feature of this plant is the absence of contraindications and side effects.

Althaea officinalis L.

IN modern medicine marshmallow medicinal use found as an anti-inflammatory, enveloping, emollient and expectorant.

Althaea officinalis is a perennial herbaceous plant of the malvaceae family, dicotyledonous class. The marshmallow plant is 80 - 150 cm high, densely pubescent, with a powerful branched rhizome, an erect stem, sometimes several stems branched in the upper part, with pink, less often white flowers. The flowers are like mallow, only smaller, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, located in the axils of the upper leaves. The leaves are unevenly toothed, pubescent, velvety, alternate.

The marshmallow fruit is a flat, disc-shaped, dry polysperm of 8–25 disintegrating fruitlets that ripen in July–October.

It is found in the middle and southern part of the European territory of the country, in the south of Siberia, in the Crimea in wet places in meadows, along ditches, along river banks, among bushes, in forests.

Althaea officinalis is grown in specialized farms over large areas in Altai and Kuban.

Marshmallow blooms from June to September, the grass - the above-ground part of the plant - is collected during flowering. The main medicinal raw materials are rhizomes and roots, which contain up to 35% of mucous substances related to polysaccharides, which determines the use of marshmallow in medicine and determines the main medicinal properties of marshmallow preparations.

Marshmallow roots contain a lot of starch, cane sugar, pectin, as well as the amino acids necessary for the human body: asparagine up to 19.8% and betaine up to 4%. Marshmallow roots are harvested in the spring in March - May or in the fall in September - November after flowering. The roots are trimmed, quickly washed in running water, then cut and dried in a warm, ventilated area, in good weather outside or in an oven at a temperature of 35 ÷ 40°C, spread out in a thin layer. Store in a dry place, shelf life 3 years.

Marshmallow has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. The ancient Greek scientist Theophrastus (372 - 287 BC) wrote that this plant “is given for fractures and coughs with sweet wine and applied to abscesses along with olive oil" Althea as medicinal plant used back in the 4th century BC. e. It was used for treatment in Ancient Greece and Rome, and in the Middle Ages it was already grown in monastery gardens.

The scientific name of the genus Althaea and the Russian generic name marshmallow comes from the Greek word alihainein, which means to heal - based on the medicinal healing properties of the plant. The scientific species name officinalis means pharmaceutical, medicinal.

Marshmallow root medicinal properties Application of marshmallow root

In official and folk medicine, preparations from marshmallow roots are used for tracheitis, laryngitis, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough; for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; with inflammation of the bladder, inflammatory processes in the kidneys.

The mucous substances included in Marshmallow preparations cover the mucous membranes with a thin layer, protecting them from irritation, resulting in reduced inflammation and improved tissue regeneration of the mucous membranes in diseases of the respiratory system, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, enterocolitis, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum.

For respiratory diseases, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia;

for gastrointestinal diseases: gastritis, especially with increased acidity of gastric juice, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, diarrhea:

1. Marshmallow root infusion:

Two tables. spoons of crushed marshmallow roots are poured into a glass of cold boiled water and left for 4 hours. Take 1 tbsp as an expectorant 5-6 times a day. spoon.

Children can be given the infusion 1 teaspoon 5 times a day.

2. Marshmallow root decoction:

Two tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over crushed marshmallow roots, boil for 30 minutes, leave for 15 minutes. The decoction is taken warm, 1/3 cup 4 times a day.

Marshmallow infusion and decoction are used externally for compresses, poultices, enemas.

For inflammatory processes in the mouth and throat, for washing the eyes, for inflammation of the eyelids use infusion and decoction of marshmallow root.

For pulmonary tuberculosis use a decoction of marshmallow roots in milk.

An infusion and decoction of marshmallow flowers and leaves is used for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, inflammation of the eyelids, for gargling.

An infusion of marshmallow herb is used for colds and inflammatory processes:

One tbsp. l. crushed leaves, flowers, stems of marshmallow, 1 tbsp. l. coltsfoot leaves, pour a glass of boiling water in an enamel or glass container, close the lid, place on water bath(larger container with boiling water). Boil for 15 minutes, leave for 45 minutes, strain, bring the volume to the initial volume. Drink 1/3 cup with honey 3-4 times a day.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to marshmallow drugs, allergic reaction.

Watch a short video:

We treat the lungs with marshmallow

The use of marshmallow in cosmetology

Marshmallow has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the rich content of biologically active substances, anti-inflammatory, astringent properties of the marshmallow plant, it is successfully used in cosmetology.

For oily facial skin with acne, prepare a water infusion:

Pour one or two tablespoons of crushed marshmallow root into 1 glass of cold boiled water, leave for 2 hours, strain. Use for compresses and lotions - relieves inflammation and skin irritation.

For oily skin prone to acne, masks made from finely ground marshmallow leaves are very useful.

For abscesses, poultices made from marshmallow leaves and flowers help well.

A little more about marshmallow medicinal use

In medicine, marshmallow roots are used in the form of powder, dry extract and marshmallow syrup.

The medicinal properties of marshmallow are widely used pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacies have medicines based on marshmallow root:

marshmallow syrup;
marshmallow roots;
breastfeeding with coltsfoot, licorice, elecampane;
breast teas with licorice, anise, sage and other medicinal plants.

Marshmallow herb - basic active substance Mucaltin tablets.

The roots, young shoots and leaves of marshmallow are eaten raw and boiled, and used to prepare salads and jelly. Ground roots are added to the dough when baking bread.

Althaea officinalis is a good honey plant.

Marshmallow stems contain about 13% coarse bast fiber; they can be used for weaving strong ropes and mats.

Marshmallow may be suitable for the paper industry.

Marshmallow flowers contain the coloring substances malvin and melvidin; permanent paint for dyeing wool red, and also, depending on additives, dark blue, gray and purple tones.

What is marshmallow

What is marshmallow, the medicinal properties and contraindications of marshmallow, what are they? beneficial features this plant, all this is of great interest to those who lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor their health, and are interested in traditional methods treatment, including with the help of medicinal herbs. So we will try to answer these questions in the following article.

As a medicinal plant, marshmallow was known to people in ancient times. In Ancient Greece, doctors and healers called marshmallow a herb for all diseases - in those days people were more attentive to nature than we are today. Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides, Theophrastus and other great scientists wrote about it in their works, and marshmallow was used in folk medicine for many centuries.

In the Middle Ages, the entire marshmallow plant was used: roots and fruits, flowers and leaves. Flowers were boiled in water, adding honey, or ground with wine, and used externally to treat hemorrhoids and scrofula. They also treated wounds with flowers, and the leaves were applied to abscesses and tumors, rubbing them with duck fat.

Althaea is well cultivated, and in those days the Benedictine monks grew it in their gardens and orchards.

Althaea officinalis is a plant whose height can be 2 meters. Young plants have single stems, while older plants have about 10 stems. There is one thick stem, which is the main one, from which thin branches go, their direction is upward. The leaves of the plant are alternate, soft, and if you touch them, they resemble a story. The leaves located at the bottom of the stem are round in shape; these leaves die off in initial stage flowering. The middle leaves are also rounded, have a heart-shaped base, can have 3 or 5 lobes, and the upper leaves are entire.

All leaves have irregular teeth. The flowers, collected in bunches, are located on common peduncles, which are very short. The corolla of the plant consists of 5 petals, usually white, but sometimes Pink colour. Marshmallow has a double calyx, the outer sepals are the subcup, which has 8-12 leaflets, and the calyx consists of 5 leaflets.

Marshmallow fruit flat shape, disc-shaped and containing many seeds. Marshmallow flowering begins in June and ends in July, and the seeds ripen in early autumn.

Spreading:

In the forest-steppe and steppe zones, in the Caucasus, the south of Western Siberia. Grows in river valleys, lakes, wet meadows, among bushes, and swamps. A commercial crop in the Krasnodar region and Ukraine, it is cultivated in the garden plots of pharmacies, schools, and on depleted and wet soils.

Chemical composition:

A large amount of mucous substances (up to 35%) were found in the roots of marshmallow, which mainly consist of polysaccharides that decompose during hydrolysis into galactose, arabinose, pentose and dextrose. In addition, the roots of the plant contain starch (up to 37%), pectin (10-11%), sugars, asparagine, betaine, carotene, lecithin, phytosterol, mineral salts and fatty oils (up to 1.7%). The leaves also contain mucus (up to 12.5%), essential oil(0.02%), rubber-like substances, ascorbic acid, carotene. In flowers, the mucilage content reaches 5.8%.

Marshmallow roots contain a lot of mucus and starch, sugar, aspartic acid, phytosterol, phosphates, pectin substances, vitamins, and flowers - solid essential oil. Main therapeutic effect marshmallow depends on the presence of mucus and pectin substances in it. That is why its roots serve as an enveloping, emollient, expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the respiratory tract: bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma. An infusion of the root is also used for inflammation of the bladder, painful involuntary urination, for chronic colitis, dysentery, dyspeptic diarrhea in children, kidney diseases and especially gastric and duodenal ulcers. Marshmallow is effective for eczema and psoriasis.

Collection of medicinal raw materials:

The seeds and roots of marshmallow can be used as medicinal raw materials. Seeds should be collected in late summer or early autumn, in dry weather. Roots can be harvested in early spring or late September-October. They need to be carefully dug up, washed in running water, cut into small pieces and dried under a shelter or in an oven at a temperature of 35–40 °C.

Medicinal properties of marshmallow

Marshmallow root reduces the risk of developing tumors, resolves abscesses, swelling, and bruises. It soothes joint pain and relieves tremors in the limbs.
Traditional healers prescribe this remedy Also, people whose sciatic nerve is inflamed have torn muscles.
Marshmallow seeds help get rid of pneumonia, sore throat, flu, pleurisy, and relieve expectoration. In turn, the leaves of this plant are useful for women with breast tumors.
A decoction of marshmallow root is recommended for use for burning in the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, and tumors anus, leucorrhoea, jaundice.
Seed decoction of this plant cleanses the body of postpartum discharge, used for difficulty urinating, bladder stones.
Due to the fact that marshmallow roots contain a large amount of mucous substances, they have a softening, analgesic effect and are prescribed for inflammation of the respiratory tract (in particular, bronchitis, tracheitis, whooping cough and other diseases). The mechanism of action of marshmallow is that it envelops the mucous membrane of organs and areas of inflammation, protecting them from further irritation.
The drug in question should also be used for diarrhea that occurs due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and duodenum, gastritis, and colitis.
Marshmallow works most effectively when increased acidity stomach. This fact is due to the fact that when mucus comes into contact with hydrochloric acid, which is released during the secretion of gastric juice, its viscosity increases.
Preparations based on marshmallow have a pronounced antitussive effect. They are used for laryngitis and whooping cough.
A hot decoction of the root of the plant in question is used externally for the inflammatory process that occurs on the tonsils, pharynx, and gums. In turn, the cold infusion is used for compresses for fistulas, inflammation of the eye mucosa, and for washing the skin for eczema and psoriasis.

The plant has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, enveloping properties.

Marshmallow roots contain large amounts of starch and mucus, sucrose, pectins, tannins, vitamin C and a number of microelements (potassium, calcium, copper, manganese, iron, cobalt).

Althaea is very often confused with wood mallow or Thuringian mallow. There is no big problem in this, since their chemical composition is almost the same, and marshmallow is very often replaced with khatma. If only because real marshmallow is found in nature much less frequently than its relatives.

Marshmallow roots contain a lot of mucus and starch, sugar, aspartic acid, phytosterol, phosphates, pectin substances, vitamins, and the flowers contain solid essential oil. The main therapeutic effect of marshmallow depends on the presence of mucus and pectin substances in it. That is why its roots serve as an enveloping, emollient, expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the respiratory tract: bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma. An infusion of the root is also used for inflammation of the bladder, painful involuntary urination, chronic colitis, dysentery, dyspeptic diarrhea in children, kidney diseases and especially stomach and duodenal ulcers. Marshmallow is effective for eczema and psoriasis.

Marshmallow contraindications

Marshmallow rarely causes side effects Therefore, the only serious contraindication to treatment is individual intolerance.
On early stages pregnancy (1-2 trimester), medications with marshmallow should not be taken; the question of their use is later later decided by the doctor.
It is prescribed with caution to infants.
Also, the use of marshmallow is not recommended against the background of constipation and disorders respiratory function lungs.
Ready-made marshmallow syrup is recommended for diabetics to use with caution.
When taking it for a cough, you should keep in mind that the syrup cannot be combined with codeine and other drugs that suppress the cough reflex, because this can make it difficult for the liquefied sputum to come out and cause complications of the disease.
An overdose of plant-based products may cause nausea and vomiting. In this case, you need to rinse your stomach and stop using marshmallow.

In addition, it should be remembered that treatment medicinal herbs requires compliance

Treatment with marshmallow of various diseases:

Decoctions, infusions, syrups, powders and other preparations from the roots of marshmallow can be used to treat diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia) and the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, enterocolitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers). A decoction of the seeds can be used to treat dandruff.

Marshmallow for a sore throat

Recipe 1

Pour 1 teaspoon of crushed marshmallow root into 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 8 hours, strain. Infusion to gargle.

Recipe 2

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of crushed marshmallow root and 1 tablespoon of herb, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Infusion gargle 2-3 times a day.

Marshmallow for cough

Along with drug treatment, preparations from the roots of marshmallow can be used as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Recipe 1

Pour 2 tablespoons of crushed marshmallow roots into 200 ml of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 30 minutes, strain. Take 100 ml 3 times a day after meals, adding a small amount of honey.

Recipe 2

Pour 1 teaspoon of dry marshmallow root powder into 200 ml of cold boiled water, leave for 8 hours, strain. Take 50 ml 3 times a day before meals.

Marshmallow for stomach ulcers

Treatment of gastric ulcer should be carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, since this disease can manifest itself with various symptoms.

Recipe

Mix 1 tablespoon each of crushed marshmallow root, wheatgrass rhizome, licorice root, fennel fruit and chamomile flowers. Pour 1 teaspoon of the mixture into 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain.

Take 200 ml infusion once a day before bed.

Recipes from Yulia Nikolaeva’s book “Treating the body with herbs. Useful tips and recommendations."

More recipes:

Marshmallow for prostate adenoma and chronic prostatitis

Pour 6.5 g (a full heaped tablespoon) of roots with half a glass of water at room temperature, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 1 tablespoon every 2 hours. It is best to carry out treatment in combination with tincture of wintergreen, cocklebur, infusions of hazel bark or leaves, changing from time to time with infusions of aspen bark, fireweed herb, eryngium, horsetail and some other herbs, combined with taking drops of hemlock tincture - as prescribed by the herbalist.

Marshmallow for emphysema

Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped roots into 1.5 cups of cold boiled water, leave for 1 hour. First stir with a spoon, then strain. Take half a glass 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 months. Repeat 3 times a year for 3-5 years. For the same purposes, you can prepare a hot infusion: pour 2 tablespoons of flowers and leaves with 1-2 cups of boiling water - the daily dose. The deadlines are the same.

Marshmallow for xerostomia (dry mouth syndrome)

Infuse 2 tablespoons of marshmallow root in 1.5 cups of boiled water at room temperature for 45 minutes. Strain. Drink 1 tablespoon 3 to 6 times a day for one and a half months. With Sjögren's syndrome (dry mouth simultaneously with rheumatoid arthritis and dry eyes) course 2 months 3 times a year for several years.

Marshmallow for trigeminal neuralgia, myositis

Pour 3-4 teaspoons of root into a glass of cold boiled water, leave for 8 hours (better if left overnight). Strain. Use as a lotion or compress.

Recipes from the book “Plants – your friends and foes” by Rim Bilalovich Akhmedov.