148 
NAT. ORDER. MALVACEAE. 
elegant species of the Marsh-mallow. There are also several 
other species of the Altheea, which somewhat resemble each 
other, especially in the appearance of their flowers ; and possess 
similar properties. The Altlicea vulgaris, or common Marsh-mallow 
is a native of England, and has a perennial root, and an annual 
stalk, which perishes every autumn. The Althcea 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 Altlicea cannahina, 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. 
T hough this variety of the Althsea is found naturally growing 
in salt marshe.s, ^ et it will thrive when transplanted in any soil, or 
in any .sltuati-fn, but will always grow larger in a moist than a dry 
eoil. It may he propagated by parting the roots in autumn, when 
the stalk's ♦lora.v, or by sowing the seeds in the spring. 
Medical l\operties 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 Althsea abounds, is the medicinal part of 
the plant, and is commonly employed 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 tickling 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 miaturing 
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. 
