Common Mallow - Health Benefits and Side Effects

Botanical Name of Common Mallow Malva sylvestris L, Malva vulgaris.

The botanical name Malva comes from the Greek word malaxos, meaning slimy, or to soften.

Other Common Names:
Mallow, zebrina mallow, blue mallow, cheese-cake, high mallow, marsh mallow, cheese flower, malva (Spanish), malve (German), rödmalva (Swedish), mauve (French), almindelig katost (Danish).

Habitat:
The species is native to the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, but is now naturalized in many parts of the world.

Plant Description:
Mallow is a biennial or perennial plant of the Malvaceae plant family. It is covered with small hairs and has usually creeping stems. It can grow up to one meter in height. The leaves are dark green and the flowers are pink with purple darker veins (the flowers of Mauritanian mallow are deep purple in color). The flowers are 2-5 cm wide and the petals are 3-4 times longer than the cup. The fruit is ring shaped and splits into many smaller seed.

Plant Parts Used:
Flowers and leaves. The large young leaves that have not been infected by rust fungus (a common ailment for this plant) should be used in herbal medicine and as food.

The Common Mallow Plant (Malva sylvestris)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Common Mallow

• Mauritanian mallow also called high mallow (Malva sylvestris sps. Mauritiana L.) is a subspecies of common mallow. It is especially rich in mucus substances and the flowers of this subspecies are therefore used extensively in herbal medicine.
• The leafs and flower buds contain mucus, tannins, flavonoids, essential oil, vitamin C and other substances. The anthocyanin glycoside malvin, a naturally occurring chemical, is only found in the flowers.

The Herb Common Mallow
(Malva sylvestris)
Koehler's Medicinal Plants 1887
• Malva sylvestris has been used traditionally as an herbal remedy for asthma, bronchitis, coughing, throat infections and emphysema. It is also used to treat wounds or inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines.
• Other uses of common mallow in traditional herbal medicine include the treatment of gallstones, kidney stones, kidney inflammation, headache, constipation, gastritis, toothache and insomnia.
• Due to the astringent, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of this herb it could be useful externally as an herbal treatment for wounds, boils, skin rashes, insect bites, pimples, eczema, acne and swellings.
• Common mallow has many similar health uses as marshmallow (Althaea officinalis).
• Common mallow is a popular herb to treat respiratory problems as it has healing properties that may be helpful for the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. The herb contains a lot of mucous substances that covers the inflamed tissue with a protective layer. A tea made from the leaves or flowers may be used as a remedy for cough, catarrh and hoarseness. To preserve the medical properties of the plant, boiling water should not be used. The flowers and leaves should be allowed to soak for a few hours in lukewarm water before use.
• Today the dried flowers and extracts are used in many commercial tea blends and over the counter medication intended as a relief for cough.
• Tea made from the herb is said to help nursing mothers to produce more milk.
• Malva sylvestris has also its uses as a source of food. The seeds taste similar to young hazel nuts and they can easily be included in green salads along with the leaves and flowers. The use of common mallow in the kitchen has been mostly forgotten but it definitely deserves to make a comeback.

Dosage and Administration:

Warnings, Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Common Mallow

The plant is not toxic and there have been no reports of contraindications, side effects or interactions with other medications. This applies to both the flowers and the leaves. Large doses, however, can be used as a laxative and in turn cause diarrhea. In some literature it is stated that the herb should be avoided by pregnant or lactating women. But there are no studies that confirm if the herb is safe or not to use during pregnancy.

Supporting References

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"Let thy kitchen be thy apothecary; and, let foods be your medicine."
Hippocratus