The evaluation of althaea officinalis L. for phytotherapy

The Evaluation of Althaea officinalis L. for Phytotherapy Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae) is a native, 2 m long and long perennial plant living with pinkish-white flowers which naturally grows our country. The root `?Althaeae radix?? and leaves `?Althaeae folium?? of the plant are registered as a drug in European Pharmacopoeia 7.3. The root and leaves of the plant contain a high mucilage. In phytotherapy, the root and leaves of the plant is used as an antitussive in dry cough, as a demulcent to cure the irritation of mucosal enflamation of upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system and as a emollient because of high mucilage content. Samples bought from local herb markets in Adana and Ankara were evaluated with the use of the European Pharmacopoeia 7.3 monographs. A. officinalis samples collected from nature were used as a standard specimen in those analyses. Samples were subjected to morphologic and microscobic analysis, TLC, foreign matter, drying losses, total ash content, quantitative ash insoluble in hydrochloric and swelling index. It was determined that the samples purchased from the local herb market belonged to Alcea genus and was not A. officinalis. For this reason, the roots and leaves in Pharmacopeia samples purchased from the local herb market were not subjected to any analyses. According to our results, the root and leaves of A. officinalis samples collected from nature were in good accordance with the Pharmacopeia analyses except swelling index. However the samples collected from nature were found to contain less mucilage than the value stated in European Pharmacopeia 7.3. As a result it was determined that, the samples sold in local herb markets in the name of `?Hatmi?? is not a scientific drog and a threat for the community health. Key words: Malvaceae, Althaea,Althaea officinalis, mucilage, European Pharmacopoeia