2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Marshmallow officinalis (lat. Althaea officinalis) - an unpretentious perennial herb from the Malvovye family, the Altey genus. Since ancient times, man has recognized the healing abilities of this plant and continues his friendship with it to this day.
What's in your name
Although the official names of plants are written in Latin, they are often based on Greek words. So, the word "marshmallow", which does not carry any semantic image in our language, suddenly becomes very clear when you learn that in Greek it means "to heal." A better name for a medicinal plant is hard to come up with.
The name goes back to the times called "BC". This name was given to the plant by one of the founders of the science of "botany", Theophrastus, who lived on Earth in the IV century BC.
In addition, the plant has many popular names in which people mark different parts of it. For example, looking at the pretty fruits, people call Altey "kalachiki"; and the flowers, which resemble rose flowers in their shape, give rise to the name "wild rose".
Description
The underground part of the plant is represented by a pivotal powerful root extending to a depth and reinforced horizontally by lateral fleshy roots, and a multi-headed rhizome, the short length of which is compensated by its thickness.
Such a strong base shows on the surface of the earth strong one and a half meter erect numerous stems, which are often simple, but can grow several lateral branches. They are protected from the vicissitudes of the climate by a thick cover of hairs, which is different from the stalks of Mallow.
To match the stems and large velvety-tomentose leaves from pubescence, up to 15 cm long, alternately located along the stem and clinging to it with petioles. Rounded, ovoid-cordate leaves are divided into 3 or 5 lobes and have an unevenly serrated edge. When the plant begins to bloom and bear fruit, the leaves wilt.
The flowers are similar to those of Mallow, but are smaller in size and paler in color. They can be collected in 2-3 flowers (less often), or form multi-flowered racemose inflorescences in the leaf axils, thus forming a common apical spike-shaped inflorescence. Flowering occurs in the second year of the plant's life, like in Mallow.
The fruit is a disc-shaped fractional polysperm, which reminds someone of "cheeses", to someone of "bread roll". Not without hairs in the fruits of the plant. When ripe, the polysperm breaks up into fruits, inside of which there is one smooth seed.
Healing abilities
The healing abilities of Althea officinalis are explained by the rich content of substances useful for the human body.
The roots of the plant are one third of starch, one third of mucous substances, followed by pectin, carotene, sugars, mineral salts, fatty oils and essential amino acids for the human body.
Do not lag behind the roots and leaves, accumulating essential oil, carotene, ascorbic acid, mucus.
Seed oil contains a number of important acids.
It is important for gardeners to know that Althea officinalis ash is rich in phosphates, which are necessary for plants for timely flowering and ripening. In addition, phosphorus helps plants better tolerate drought and frost.
Althea officinalis is used by both traditional and official medicine. Anyone who has children is familiar with the medicine called mucaltin, which helps relieve a cold cough. These are small herbaceous tablets with a low pharmacy price, the main components of which are the roots of Althea officinalis.
Althea roots, which have the ability to envelop a sore spot, help not only with respiratory diseases, but also with stomach ulcers and various intestinal diseases, and throat ailments.
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Melissa Officinalis
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Mullein Officinalis
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