Altea in Herbalist: Property of Altea

Scientific name

Althaea officinalis L.

Family

Origin

Central-southern Europe

Parts Used

Chemical constituents

• Mucilages (galacturo-rhamnans, arabinans, glucans, arabinogalactans);
• Flavonoids;
• Asparagine enzyme;
• Starch;
• Polyphenols;
• Pectins;
• Sterols.

Altea in Herbalist: Property of the Altea

The main properties of marshmallow are emollient and anti-inflammatory. These activities are particularly useful in case of glossitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis, esophagitis, gastritis, inflammatory and spastic colitis.
Marshmallow root powder can be used as a cold macerate, and also as a vehicle for essential oils.
Thanks to the rich presence of mucilages, which tend to form a thin protective and moisturizing film-forming layer on the skin, for external use the marshmallow is useful in the presence of irritated, sensitive, dry, reddened, dehydrated skin, easy to crack, and against sores and sunburn.