Marshmallow syrup is a natural medicine used as an auxiliary component in the treatment of infectious pathologies of the respiratory system. The main active ingredient of the drug is famous for its expectorant, anti-inflammatory and enveloping properties. Thanks to these characteristics, marshmallow syrup helps to cope with annoying cough as quickly as possible and protect the mucous membranes of the respiratory apparatus.
Every mother must have had a cold in a small baby, so the problem of choosing a safe and effective medicine that can relieve unpleasant signs of this disease is extremely important for all parents. It is this drug that is considered to be marshmallow syrup. However, parents should know how to use the product correctly and whether therapy for young children with it is acceptable.
Composition and form of release
The medication is made in the form of a clear syrup with a brownish tint, with a thick consistency, sweet unobtrusive taste and a specific aroma. In order that the substance does not lose its beneficial properties, it is placed in dark glass vials. One package of the product weighs 125 g.
The main active ingredient of the remedy is marshmallow root extract. This plant has pronounced healing properties due to the high content of useful trace elements. The marshmallow root is rich in pectin and plant mucus, due to which it is actually able to reduce the density of sputum and facilitate its removal from the respiratory system. This also determines the pronounced gastroprotective effect of the syrup: getting into the digestive tract, it envelops its walls and protects the organ from the aggressive influence of hydrochloric acid.
In addition to pectin, the marshmallow root extract contains a lot of minerals, amino acids, essential oils and vitamin A. In 100 ml of syrup, 2 ml of the main active substance is present. And in the role of auxiliary components are:
- sucrose - to improve, soften the taste;
- sodium benzoate - a preservative to increase shelf life, which does not affect the pharmacological properties of the drug;
- distilled water.
The demand for the drug today is associated with the natural composition of the drug, its high effectiveness, safety and pronounced healing properties. In the case of proper regular use, the therapeutic effect occurs quite quickly.
Mechanism of action
Althea root extract activates the formation of mucus in the respiratory system, and also significantly improves the respiratory tract motility, due to which the syrup based on it is considered an expectorant. This drug has several healing properties.
- The suspension envelops the mucous membranes and for a long time remains on the surface, thereby protecting organs from irritation. As already mentioned, the syrup owes this property to a large amount of pectin, located in the root.
- The tool softens the mucous membrane of the respiratory apparatus and helps to eliminate sputum. This suggests the benefits of marshmallow syrup for dry coughs and when the attacks have become productive, and the sputum has remained too thick.
- The suspension reduces the severity of the inflammatory process and activates the regeneration of injured tissues.
It is worth saying that all these healing properties have a beneficial effect not only on the respiratory system, but also on the digestive tract. In addition, the tool significantly helps with damage to the mucous membranes of the larynx and oral cavity.
The healing properties of the plant are provided not only by pectin, but also by other substances, including oils, starch, vitamins and minerals. During the use of marshmallow syrup, they allow you to get rid of general malaise and nervousness, and also positively affect the patient's appetite and sleep.
Indications for use
According to the instructions for use, marshmallow syrup is recommended for the treatment of infectious pathologies of the respiratory system, which are accompanied by the formation of viscous sputum and painful coughing attacks. Most often, the drug is used to treat bronchi, but it is also suitable for patients with other diseases that have similar clinical pictures. So, marshmallow syrup is advisable to apply when:
- tracheobronchitis;
- pharyngitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- laryngitis;
- tracheitis;
- pneumonia.
Another area of application
But in some situations, a specialist can recommend a medicinal suspension to patients suffering from pathologies of the digestive tract. Pectin and plant mucus, which are contained in the root extract of the marshmallow, protect the stomach from injuries caused by hydrochloric acid, which is produced in excess in gastritis. Sometimes marshmallow syrup is indicated for gastroenterological diseases:
- stab;
- peptic ulcer disease;
- enterocolitis;
- damage to the duodenum.
However, both young children and adult patients should not use the suspension without a doctor's prescription. After all, as in the case with any other medicines, when using syrup, the patient may experience all kinds of side effects.
Since how old can I take
According to the instructions for use, children can receive Althea syrup from birth. But because of the high likelihood of developing an allergy to such a medicine at an early age, when the baby's immunity and digestive apparatus are still not functioning well, the suspension is not recommended for up to a year.
That is why children under the age of six months to give syrup without the appointment of a specialist is undesirable. If there are indications for the use of the drug, the pediatrician can prescribe the drug to the baby up to a year, reducing its single dose. If the child is already one year old, then parents can safely use cough marshmallow syrup according to the instructions.
Contraindications
The drug suspension is considered a natural product, so there are very few reasons to refuse to use it. However, in some situations it is still better to turn your attention to other, similar drugs. For example, it is advisable to abandon the use of marshmallow syrup for diseases such as:
- deficiency of isomaltase and sucrase;
- disorders in the processes of absorption of galactose and glucose;
- fructose intolerance ;
- individual intolerance of the marshmallow itself and other ingredients that make up the medication.
In addition, the product contains sucrose - this fact should be taken into account when choosing a therapeutic regimen for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. It is undesirable to use the drug for people with disorders in the carbohydrate metabolism, since it contains quite a lot of sugar. It is best for these people to choose identical products in tablet form with a lower sucrose content or its complete absence.
In addition, it should be noted that the cough marshmallow syrup, according to the instructions, helps only in the initial stages of the disease. If the pathology has become chronic, the use of this tool will be ineffective.
Side effects and overdose
Althea root extract is a strong allergen, therefore therapy with its use may be accompanied by negative reactions of the body. Most often, skin pathologies are observed in patients, such as urticaria, itching, eczema, rash. In the event of any of these signs, you should immediately consult a doctor.
However, in most cases, treatment with syrup does not provoke negative reactions and is well tolerated by patients of all ages.
If you accidentally take a large dosage of the drug, the patient may experience nausea and vomiting. In such a situation, the treatment will be symptomatic: the patient will be washed with brine and prescribed sorbents. In this case, further use of the syrup should be discarded.
Instruction manual
For children, marshmallow syrup is used only after a meal in a certain dosage, which is prescribed by the attending physician. But if the patient has not received individual recommendations, he can use the drug according to the scheme described in the package insert.
- For children under 6 years old, marshmallow syrup, according to the instructions, should be given half a teaspoon no more than 5 times a day. The therapeutic course can last a maximum of 10 days.
- At the age of 6 to 12 years, the child can take a teaspoon of the suspension 4-5 times throughout the day. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks.
- Adolescents and adult patients are advised to take a tablespoon of syrup 4-5 times during the day. The duration of therapy may be 2 weeks.
Before use, the suspension is preferably dissolved in a small amount of warm water. Take the drug should be 15-20 minutes after eating.
Reviews
Parents who gave marshmallow syrup to their children, as a rule, were satisfied with the result. Positive responses relate primarily to the naturalness of the composition, pleasant taste, speed of the onset effect and low cost.
As for the shortcomings of the medicine, they often include the excessive sweetness of the syrup. In addition, in some babies, the remedy causes allergies. However, many small patients tolerate the drug perfectly. Children enjoy the sweet taste, and they drink the suspension even with pleasure.
Analogs
Replace marshmallow syrup with medicines with similar medicinal properties. The most common analogues of the drug are:
"Gedelix" or "Prospan" - also produced on the basis of plant materials, are allowed from birth;
"Doctor Tyss" - contains plantain extract, has excellent expectorant properties;
"Herbion" - made of ivy, primrose or plantain, is in demand in the treatment of small patients;
"Linkas" - can be used from six months, perfectly liquefies sputum and reduces inflammation.