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Marsh-mallow (Althaea officinalis)
Its Latin/Greek name, Althea, literally means "to heal." Is from the Malvaceae, or the mallows family of flowering plants. Some of marsh-mallow’s well-known family members include okra, cotton, cacao as well as familiar ornamentals, such as Alcea (hollyhock), and the largest genera of the species, Hibiscus. Marsh-mallow, or is a perennial species indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa which is used in herbal medicine. Marsh-mallow was traditionally used as relief for irritation of mucous membranes, for a gargle for mouth, and throat ulcers and gastric ulcers. Purported properties and uses include using marsh-mallow as an antitussive, expectorant, demulcent (used to help relieve sore throats and reduce dry coughing), and a diuretic (increase the secretion and flow of urine). Topically recommended by Hippocrates for healing wounds, and for centuries used to relieve insect bites, abscesses, skin ulcers, and burns.
The true marsh-mallow is distinguished from common mallow (malva), and all the other mallows growing in Great Britain by the six to nine divisions of the green outer petal known as the sepal, by the hoary down of the stems and foliage, and by the clusters of flowers of blush-colored flowers, paler than the purple flowers of the common mallow. The roots are perennial, woody, thick, long and tapering, very tough and pliant, whitish yellow outside, white and fibrous within.
References
Cavero, R (2014). "Medicinal plants used for respiratory affections in Navarra and their pharmacological validation". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 158 (Part A): 216–220.
Culpeper, Nicholas. The English Physitian: or an Astrologo-physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of This Nation. London,1652. See link to transcribed text of Culpeper’s The Complete Herbal, as re-titled in 1653) http://www.bibliomania.com/2/1/66/113/frameset.html
Rani, S., S.A. Khan, and M. Ali (2010). "Phytochemical investigation of the seeds of Althea officinalis L". Natural Product Research. 24 (14): 1358–1364.
Ingredients > Marsh-mallow