The altea has large flowers with white, pink or lilac petals.
Altea is a plant from the Malvaceae family that is also known as marshmallow . The etymological origin of this term takes us to the Latin word althaea , from the Greek althaía .
Description
Hollyhock ( Althaea officinalis ), also known as royal mallow, is a perennial plant native to Europe, Asia and North Africa and is cultivated in many parts of the world for its medicinal and ornamental properties. It has large, lobed leaves with toothed edges. The flowers are large, with white, pink or lilac petals, and have a similar appearance to other plants in the mallow family.
The root of this herbaceous plant is the part most used for medicinal purposes: it was traditionally used to produce the sweet called marshmallow , which is currently usually made with gum arabic, gelatin, sugar and flavorings. Altea is also grown as an ornamental plant due to its beautiful flowers. It has also been used in the manufacture of cosmetic products and in the food industry as a thickener.
The altea prefers well-drained and moist soils . It can be propagated from seeds or by dividing the roots in the spring or fall. It is a hardy plant that can survive in moderate drought conditions.
Medicinal properties
Altea has been valued for its medicinal uses for centuries, mainly due to its content of mucilage and other beneficial substances. Let's look at some of its properties below:
- relief from throat irritation : it is one of the best-known uses of altea, in addition to its ability to relieve dry cough . The mucilage it contains forms a protective layer on the throat mucosa, reducing irritation and inflammation. This makes it a common ingredient in many syrups and pills;
- Treatment of respiratory conditions : Altea is traditionally used to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis, the common cold, and whooping cough. Its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to loosen mucus can help relieve symptoms and promote healing ;
- Relief from digestive problems : Altea mucilage can also be beneficial for the digestive system. It has been used to soothe heartburn, heartburn, and other mild gastrointestinal disorders. It can act as a protective coating on the stomach lining;
- healing of wounds and burns : Altea poultices or compresses have been used for this purpose, and also to treat insect bites. The plant has emollient properties that can soothe irritated skin and speed up the healing process;
- relief from urinary problems : altea may have mild diuretic properties and has been used to treat disorders such as cystitis and bladder inflammation;
- natural anti-inflammatory : in addition to its specific properties for certain conditions, altea is known for its general anti-inflammatory action. This makes it useful in relieving various parts of the body.
Daughter of Thestius
In Greek mythology, Althea was the daughter of Eurythemis and Thestius . Although the versions change according to tradition , it is usually said that Althea had six children with Oeneus : Gorge , Deianira , Meleager , Clymenus , Tireus and Toxeo .
The Fates predicted that if a log that was burning in the home of Althea was consumed, their son Meleager would die. That's why Altea put out and hid the blight. Years later, however, Meleager murdered his uncles and Althea , furious, took said brand and threw it into the fire until it was completely consumed, with which Meleager died. Regretful, Altea finally took her own life.
Landscape of the city Altea, in Valencia
Valencian City
Altea is a city in the Valencian Community ( Spain ). It is part of the province of Alicante and its population is around 22,000 inhabitants. In 2004 , the Spanish manufacturer SEAT named one of its cars (the SEAT Altea ) after the municipality.