148 NAT. ORDER. MALVACEiE. 



elegant species of the Marsh-mallow. There are also several 

 other species of the Althaea, which somewhat resemble each 

 other, especially in the ajipearance of their flowers ; and possess 

 similar properties. The A/thcea vulgaris, or common JNIarsh-mallow 

 is a native of England, and has a perennial root, and an annual 

 stalk, which perishes every autumn. The Altfuea hirsuta, or hairy 

 Marsh-mallow, is a native of Spain and Portugal. It is a low 

 plant, usually found trailing on the ground, unless supported by 

 stakes. The AUhcea cannabina, or shrubby Marsh-mallow, is a 

 native of Hungary and Austria. It has a woody stem, and rises 

 to the height of four or five feet, with numerous branches. 



Though this variety of the Althaea is found naturally growing 

 in salt marslie.s, vet it will thrive when transplanted in any soil, or 

 in any situation, but will always grow larger in a moist than a dry 

 eoil. It may be propagated by parting the roots in autumn, when 

 tlie stalks decay, or by sowing the seeds in the spring. 



Medical I'ioperties and Uses. The dry roots of this plant, 

 boiled in water, give out half their weight of a gummy matter, 

 which, on evaporating the aqueous fluid, forms a flavorless, yellow 

 mucilage. The leaves afford scarcely one-fourth of their weight; 

 and the flowers and seeds still less. This glutinous or mucilaginous 

 matter, with which the Althaea abounds, is the medicinal jjart of 

 the plant, and is commonly emjiloyed for its emollient and demul- 

 cent qualities. Its use is recommended where the natural mucus 

 of membranes becomes acrid or abraded ; for obtunding and in- 

 crassating acrimonious, thin fluids ; in ticklingr coughs, from an ir- 

 ritable state of the fauces and lungs ; in hoarseness, erosions of 

 the stomach and intestines; strangury; and for lubricating and 

 relaxing the passages in nephritic and calculous complaints. The 

 root is sometimes employed externally for softening and maturing 

 hard tumors. The principle use of the root is that of a poultice ; 

 and its use in sirup. In France the powdered root is used in the 

 preparation of pills and electuaries. 



