Biological Properties and Medicinal Value of Alcea Rosea

The medicinal value of the alcea rosea plant in folk medicine has been known for a long time. Studies show that the alcea rosea has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Theophrastus and Dioscorides noted the positive qualities of the plant in their writings. Studies show that Theophrastus and Dioscorides gave the plant the Greek name "althaia" – hatmi. Historical personalities such as Hippocrates, Pliny, Galen, Avesenna discovered the healing properties of the plant and noted that it is a medicinal plant with high qualities. Theophrastus used alcea rosea plant for cough, bone fractures, and skin damage, while Galen used it to treat tumors and came to the conclusion that the flowers of the plant - root, leaf, and tissue - have a relatively weak effect. Althea Rosea plant is also widespread in the territory of Azerbaijan and is known among the people as bulghamot, altey, hatmi. 5 out of 12 species of the plant are common in Azerbaijan. Species belonging to the alcea rosea genus are perennial herbs and their root systems develop well. In the flora of Azerbaijan, the medicinally important alcea rosea plant is distributed in the lowlands and foothills, mainly around the rivers, in the areas where moist meadows and bushes grow, up to the middle mountain belts of many regions. This plant grows in wet places and on the edges of ditches in the foothills and lowlands. Our observations show that the regions where the medicinal alcea rosea is distributed differ according to the soil and climatic conditions. Medicinal alcea rosea grows in the territory of Azerbaijan mainly on naturally fertile soils. The plant is spread singly or in groups. Alcea rosea belongs to the type of semi-desert vegetation.

Sometimes spread together with bush or semi-bush-shaped grasses, resistant to wind, drought, etc. such as well adapted to environmental factors in open areas. Depending on the area and the climatic conditions where the plant is spread the amount of sap in the root of the flower varies. The root also contains sucrose, malic acid, essential oil, resin-like substances, steroids, astringent substances, betaine, fats, vitamin C, in addition to K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, etc. flavinoid glycosides, coumarin, phenolic acid are determined along with salts. Althea Rosea is widely used for medicinal purposes in modern scientific medicine. First of all, preparations made from alcea rosea are used as expectorants and antitussives. Since the ointment made from the root of the plant has a high sedative property, it eliminates the irritation of the nerve endings of the respiratory tract. Bacteriocidal and anti-inflammatory effects of alcea rosea have also been proven. The polysaccharides contained in the leaves are effective as antioxidants and against tumors. The dark colored flowers of alcea rosea have higher antioxidant properties. In the field of cosmetology, plant extracts are used to moisturize the skin, remove dryness, soothe and soften the skin. In the field of cosmetology, plant extracts are used to moisturize the skin, remove dryness, soothe and soften the skin. It has high properties such as redness and skin irritations, rashes, skin regeneration process, and protection from the negative effects of the environment. The extract from the medicinal alcea rosea affects the hair follicles (bulbs), irritates them, and accelerates their growth. Since the demand for the plant is increasing day by day, it is the focus of attention of physiotherapists and specialists and needs to be increased. Researching the areas where medicinal alcea rosea grows wild, studying its biological and ecological characteristics, cultivating it in new areas is one of the important conditions for modern medicine.

Keywords: alcea rosea, phytotherapy, mugwort, folk medicine, antioxidant, mucus, essential oil

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