Alcea rugosa
StarAlcea rugosa
Synonyms: Althaea rugosa, Alcea novopokrovskyi, Alcea taurica
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In the traditional medicine of Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus the flowers of Alcea species, including Alcea rugosa, are used in place of marshmallow as a soothing, mucilaginous remedy for coughs, sore throat and inflamed mucous membranes, and as an emollient and demulcent (Mohammadi Motamed & Naghibi, 2017).
Botanical Description
Alcea rugosa is a tall, erect perennial of the mallow family (Malvaceae), one of the wild hollyhocks, reaching one to two metres. The stout, hairy stems bear large, rounded to shallowly lobed leaves with crinkled (rugose) surfaces and toothed margins, becoming smaller upward. The showy five-petalled flowers, pale to bright yellow, are borne in a long terminal spike, each subtended by an epicalyx of bracts; the numerous stamens are fused into a central column typical of the family. The fruit is a disc-shaped schizocarp that breaks into many one-seeded segments. Native to the Caucasus, Anatolia and adjoining parts of the Irano-Turanian region, it grows on dry slopes, field margins and disturbed ground. As in other mallows, the tissues are rich in soothing mucilage.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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