Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks:

This plant is native to Western Asia and Europe, but is now widely grown throughout North America. The parts used are the root, leaves, and flowers. The most important active ingredients of this plant include mucilage, tannins, malvin, malvidin, vitamin riboflavin, niacin, and anthocyanin. Marshmallow root has softening, soothing, and skin-irritating effects and is used in cases of inflammation, severe coughs, angina, bronchitis, and diseases of inflammatory origin. The antimicrobial effects of marshmallow extract have also been proven.

Botany:

There are 34 species of Alcea found in the flora of Iran, of which 15 are native to Iran. The leaves of this plant also contain various phenolic compounds, and the leaves of this plant are also used in the treatment of pulmonary, respiratory, and sore throat diseases. Due to their high antioxidant, phenolic and mucilage properties, the leaves and roots of marshmallow can be a good source of medicine for diseases such as diabetes, premature aging and immune system deficiency.
This plant is distributed in Gorgan, West and East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Isfahan, Arak, Lorestan and Khorasan (Rare Kalat). The genus Alcea in Iran has more than 30 species that are scattered throughout Iran and are mostly in gardens, on the edges of farms and sometimes in mountainous areas. The flowers of various species, especially those that are yellow or white, are used by local people to relieve coughs and treat colds, which may be due to the similarity of names.

Chemical compounds:

Although 17 anthocyanidins have been isolated from plant tissues so far, and most of them have been observed only in reproductive structures, 6 aglycones (pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petonidin, and malvidin) have been identified in vegetative organs.

Therapeutic Properties:

Mucilages are said to have properties such as antimicrobial, kidney stone prevention, anti-estrogenic effects, and a positive effect on the immune system. Mucilages are polysaccharide hydrocolloids with unique properties. From a chemical perspective, mucilages are large molecules that mainly contain carbohydrates, uronic acids, glycoproteins, and bioactive compounds. These valuable compounds have many applications in the food, pharmaceutical, health, and cosmetic, papermaking, dyeing, and textile industries.
The leaves of this plant also contain various phenolic compounds, and the leaves of this plant are also used in the treatment of pulmonary, respiratory, and sore throat diseases. Due to their high antioxidant, phenolic, and mucilage properties, marshmallow leaves and roots can be a good source of medicine for diseases such as diabetes, premature aging, and immune system deficiencies.