Home | Start The Analyst | FAQ | Search | Health Discussion Forum
Marshmallow Root
  Marshmallow Root
 Recommended for…
 


Alternative Names: Althea root.

Marshmallow root is used mostly as a demulcent, having soothing properties on various mucous membranes such as the lungs and urinary tract. These properties have made it a frequent addition to lung preparations, cough syrups (marshmallow is also thought to be antitussive), urinary tract preparations, stomach ailments and topically for wound healing.
Source


Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is native to Europe and was brought to the United States, growing in wet, marshy areas. The inner portions of the roots are used medicinally.

While extracts do exist, marshmallow root is most often used as a crude preparation.





Marshmallow Root can help with the following:
Infections  Lyme Disease


KEY
May do some good


GLOSSARY

Antitussive
Cough suppressant.

Demulcent
An agent which soothes and relieves irritation, especially of the mucous membranes.

Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.

Mucous Membranes (Mucosa, Mucous Membrane, Mucus Membranes)
The membranes, such as the mouth, nose, anus, and vagina, that line the cavities and canals of the body which communicate with the air.

Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.

Urinary Tract (UT)
The kidneys and the lower urinary tract, which includes the ureters, bladder, and urethra.




Last updated: Oct 08, 2008


Home | Start The Analyst | FAQ | Search | Health Discussion Forum
Design by: RoyalWebHosting.com