f 



106 MALVACEAE. 



JJnhifnt. — Indipfonous to Einopo, l)ut niituralizGil in salt marshes along 

 the coast of New JMigland, Now York, and New Jersey. 



J'arl (mL—TUe root — UnUcd SlalrA J'hdrinucopd'ia. The root of tlio 

 cultivated plant is commonly employed, and, as occurring in commerce, is 

 deprived of its bark. 



Confilititeutfi. — The dried root contains as its most important couKlitn- 

 ents about twenty-tivo per cent, ouch of starch and nuicilaoe. There are 

 also present pectin, asparagin, sugar, phosphate of calciiun, cellulose, and a 

 nttle fatty oil. 



Prfpnrndonii. — Syrupus altlurro — syrup of alth.nnn. — United Slatea Phar- 

 macopain. Tliis is made by dissolving sugar, without lieat, in a cold in- 

 fusion of the root, and is therefore practically free from starch, boiling 

 water be'ng necessary to extract all the soluble constituents wliile the 

 mucilaginous properties arc readily inijiarted to cold water. The j)ow- 

 dered root is often used to imjiart a proper consistence to soft pill masses, 

 and also in the preparation of emollient poultices. 



jift'dical Properties and Cftes. — Tho constituents of marsh-mallow indicate 

 clearly enough its therapeutic ai)plication. It is emollient and demulcent, 

 and may be us(;d freely in inllammatory ati'ections, either interu'illy or 

 topically as occasion re(]uires. Being nutritious also it is, in certain cases, 

 superior to many demulcents in common use. As a topical application it 

 has a wide range of usefulness. 



MALVA. — Mai.i.ow. 



Malva rotundifolia Linne. — Common Malloio. 



Description. — Calyx with a 3-lcaved involucre ; otherwise as in alth.^n. 

 Corolla, stamens, ovary, styles, and fruit similar in structure to those of 

 altha>a. 



A small biennial herb, with a long, tapering root and prncinnlient 

 stems. Leaves round, heart-shaped, some^ ' ,t plaited, crenate, smooth, 

 bluish-green, on long petioles. Flowers sc" .^, whitish, appearing through- 

 out the summer. 



Habitat. — One of the commonest weeds in door-yards and waste places 

 about d"\vellings. A native of Europe, it follows civilized man most persist- 

 ently and takes root whei'evcr he establishes himself. 



Part rticd. — Tlie herb, including the root — not official. 



Conntitucuts. — It possesses mucilaginous properties similar to those of 

 marsh-mallow. 



Preparat ionsi. — The decoction is employed in domestic practice. Tho 

 fresh herb, bruised, is employed topically. 



Medical Properties and Uses, — Similar to those of marsh-mallow. 



