Khatmi | خطمی

Description

Khatmi at sknatural is Althaea officinalis Linn. It belongs to family “Malvaceae”. It is warm, inclined towards balanced temperament. Generally people use its root, seeds and flowers. The root contains starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, and asparagine. Common marsh-mallow has been used for at least two thousand years for food (the roots) and as a medicinal herb. People widely cultivate it as an ornamental as well as for its medicinal properties. Confectioners also use it in traditional recipes for the sugary confection of the same name.

Pharmacological properties:

Emollient, demulcent, suppurative, expectorant, mucilaginous, repercussive. Reduces inflammation and irritation of the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract as well as of the urinary passages. Its action is referred as mechanical in as much as it forms a soft smooth covering over the inflamed or irritated parts with which it comes in contact and thus protects them from friction, and allows the process of repair to go on undisturbed.

Other names:

Arabic Name(s): Khatmi, Khatmitah

Urdu Name(s): Khatmi, Gul Khairo

English Name(s): Marsh Mallow

Recommended dosage:

5 g. Long-term use or large doses may cause some harm to stomach due to its collection/resolution of turbid matter (malhumours) from pectoral region and expectoration through the digestive tract.

Medicinal Uses:

Marsh Mallow highly recommends itself as an expectorant for cough and for alleviating pharynx and chest congestion. Healthcare providers administer an infusion of the flowers in cases of bronchial catarrh and bronchitis. The roots serve as demulcents in bronchitis, while the seeds benefit kidney and bladder issues. Additionally, individuals apply leaves and flowers to burns for relief.

In cases of bilious diarrhea, healthcare providers find an infusion of the root to be highly effective. Its repercussive and resolvent actions make it a prescribed remedy for conditions such as sciatica, rheumatism, pleurisy, pneumonia, and chest congestion. Moreover, healthcare providers recommend it for catarrhs of pectoral or cephalic regions, where it acts as a suppurative and expectorant in conditions like flu, nasal catarrh, headache, and indigestion, providing decongestant and emollient effects.