PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Preparation: To make a tea, pour boiling water over 1.5 gm

comminuted drug and strain after 5 to 10 minutes.

LITERATURE

Franz M, Franz G, Hibiscus sabdariffa - Hibiscusbluten. In:

ZPT 9(2):63. 1988.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Menpen HG, Staesche K, DAZ 114:1211. 1974.

Miiller BM, Franz G, PM 58:60. 1992.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl.. Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Hibiscus sabdariffa

See Hibiscus

High Mallow

Malva sylvestris

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried flowers,

the dried leaves and the whole of the flowering fresh plant.

Flower and Fruit: The bright purple flowers with long dark

stripes are clustered in leaf axils. They have 3 epicalyx

leaves, 5 sepals and 5 petals that are much longer than the

calyx and have a deep margin. The numerous stamens are

fused to a 10 to 12 mm column. The fruit stems are erect or

slanted to one side. The ovaries are made up of a ring of 9 to

11 carpels. The fruit is a 7 to 9 mm wide and 2 mm thick

disc, which breaks up into mericarps. These are glabrous or

covered in a few scattered hairs, sharply angular and

punctate.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Malva sylvestris is a biennial or

perennial leafy herb 0.3 to 1.2 m high. The stems are

branched, prostrate to curved, ascending, slightly woody and

roughly pubescent. The leaves are alternate, long-petioled,

reniform-orbicular, 5-lobed and crenate-serrate.

Characteristics: High Mallow has a 3-leaved epicalyx
(compare with Althaea officinalis).

HIGH MALLOW / 395

Habitat: The plant probably originated in the southern

European-Asia region. Today the tree can be found in

subtropical and temperate latitudes of both hemispheres.

Production: Blue Mallow flower and leaves consist of the

dried flowers of Malva sylvestris and/or Malva sylvestris

sps. Mauri tiana, Ascherson and Graebner, as well as its

preparations. High Mallow leaves are harvested from June to

the beginning of September and dried in thin layers in the

shade. High Mallow flowers are harvested without the

pedicles from the end of June to October and are dried in

layers in the shade.

Not to be Confused With: Other varieties of Malvae. the

leaves of Althaea officinalis.

Other Names: Mallow, Blue Mallow, Mauls, Cheeseflower

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: MALVA LEAF

Flavonoids: including among others hypolaetin-3-glucoside.

gossypetin-3-glucoside; also flavonoid sulfates including

among others gossypetin-8-0-beta-D-glucuronide-3-sulfate

Mucilages: 6-8% (galacturonorhamane and

arabinogalactans)

COMPOUNDS: MALVA FLOWER

Anthocyans: including among others malvin

Mucilages: 10% (galacturonorhamane and arabinogalactane)

EFFECTS: MALVA LEAF AND FLOWER

Leaf: Main active principles - polysaccharides, flavonoids.

tannins; Flower: Main active principles - polysaccharides.

flavonoids.

The drug has a mucous membrane-protective effect: it

relieves irritation because of the high level of mucilaginous

material.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

MALVA FLOWER

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough


• Bronchitis


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx
  Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is used internally
  for bronchial catarrh, gastroenteritis, bladder complaints, and
  it is used externally for wounds. Externally, it is used as a
  poultice and bath additive for wound treatment.

MALVA LEAF

Approved by Commission E:

m Cough

• Bronchitis


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx