Waltheria viscosissima
StarWaltheria viscosissima
Synonyms: Waltheria hirsuta, Waltheria mollis, Waltheria machrisiana, Waltheria tubiflora
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In the folk medicine of northeastern Brazil the plant, known as malva-branca, is used chiefly to treat coughs and respiratory complaints, valued for antitussive and expectorant effects (Souza et al., review). Experimental work on the crude ethanolic extract and its alkaloid fraction has demonstrated antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities in laboratory studies (Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of W. viscosissima, J. Ethnopharmacology, 2022).
Botanical Description
Waltheria viscosissima is a viscid, aromatic subshrub or perennial herb of the mallow family native to Brazil and adjacent South America. Its erect, branching stems and softly hairy, sticky foliage give the plant its name (viscosissima, 'very sticky'). The alternate leaves are ovate to oblong with crenate-serrate margins, soft-textured, and covered with glandular and stellate hairs. Small five-petaled yellow flowers are clustered in dense, sessile glomerules in the leaf axils, blooming over a long season. The fruit is a small capsule enclosing one or two seeds. Known locally as malva-branca, the plant favors open, disturbed, and seasonally dry habitats including the caatinga and cerrado of northeastern and central Brazil, along roadsides, pastures, and field margins.
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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