Botanical Overview
Cotton (Gossypium sp) is a flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. This plant has earned a place in traditional medicine through its consistent therapeutic benefits, recorded across multiple cultures. The mallow family (Malvaceae) includes herbs, shrubs, and trees with alternate leaves, often with stellate hairs. The flowers are typically showy with five petals and numerous stamens fused into a column. Many species produce mucilage and have demulcent and emollient properties.
Family Context
The Malvaceae family is widely distributed worldwide. Notable medicinal members include:
- Chinese hibiscus — 51 documented uses
- Broomweed — 49 documented uses
- Indian tulip tree — 49 documented uses
- Okra — 36 documented uses
Traditional Uses
Cotton has been traditionally used for digestive health, respiratory conditions, and pain and inflammation, among other applications.
Digestive health.
- Dysentery
- Laxative
For digestive complaints, the herb is typically prepared as a tea or decoction taken before meals. The bitter compounds stimulate digestive secretions and improve nutrient absorption. Some traditions use the powdered root or leaves in small doses as a stomachic tonic.
Respiratory conditions.
- Expectorant
- Pectoral
Respiratory conditions are addressed through steam inhalation of the herb’s vapors or internal use as a warm tea. The hot infusion acts as an expectorant, helping to loosen phlegm and clear congestion. Some traditions combine it with honey for coughs.
Pain and inflammation.
- Ache(Head)
- Rheumatism
For pain and inflammation, preparations are applied both topically as compresses and taken internally. A warm poultice draws blood to the area and promotes healing, while internal preparations address systemic inflammation.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 30 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).
The identified compounds include the following categories:
- Phenolic: antioxidant compounds that neutralize free radicals
- Sterol: cholesterol-like compounds with anti-inflammatory properties
- Alkaloid: nitrogenous compounds with diverse pharmacological activities