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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Hindi Names |
Malva sylvestris
Linn. (Malvaceae)
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Common Mallow
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Gul-khair,
Kunzi, Vilayatiikangai |
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| History |
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Greeks
and Romans used it as a medicine on account of its mucilaginous and
cooling properties. It also finds mention in Persian literature as
medicine. All parts of this plant were commended in Unani works on
account of their mucilaginous and cooling properties.
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| Habitat |
It grows
mostly as a weed in India in Kashmir, Bihar and parts of Deccan Penninsula
up to an altitude of 2,400 meters.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
It is a perennial
herb. Stem is erect and woody. Leaves are on a long stalk, 3-7 lobed,
reniform at the base, margin scalloped, smooth above and roughly hairy
below. Calyx is campanulate. Corolla is purple with veins of deeper
tint. Pedicel is slender. Fruit is smooth netted with short style.
Seeds are many and reniform.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The active constituent
of mucilage of leaves and flowers are composed of 9 different sugar
residues, of which GalA, GlcA are the major constituents1.
Scopolectin was also identified2.
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| Toxicology |
There
is no adverse effect reported on usage of this plant.
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| Indications |
Flowers and immature
fruits are used for whooping cough. It is official in the French and
Swiss Pharmacopoeias.
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| Product
Range |
Cough Syrup.
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| References |
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- Planta Medica, 1993, Vol. 59 (Supplement), pp. A615.
- Int. J. Pharmacognosy, 1995, Vol. 33(1), 353-355.
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