Malva Sylvestris: properties and benefits of an edible and healing plant

Mallow, an edible and healing wild plant

The mauve (mallow sylvestris)present throughout the northern hemisphere and very common in our countryappears along roadsides and fields, open fields, abandoned lots and grasslands.

It is a biennial or perennial plant, prostrate or erect, with palmate leaves and hot pink flowers, with dark veins. Blooms from March until late fall.

For medicinal and culinary purposes the flowers and leaves are harvested, which are left to dry as quickly as possible, so that the flowers take on a navy blue hue.

How can you consume mallow?

It takes the dried plant in infusion, the syrup, the liquid extract, the decoction for external use to gargle; he fresh plant juice and hot leaf poultices on abscesses, eczema and whitlow.

mallow properties

Dioscorides already spoke of its virtues to relieve “the guts and the bladder”, although the popular proverb reserves less flattering references for him, such as the allusion to “breed hollyhocks” for being dead or the saying of “whoever is cured with mallow, goes badly”.

But the truth is that the mauve -rich in mucilageanthocyanosides such as malvina, tannins and vitamins– is a star of herbalists.

Mallow is a balm for the throat: it stands out above all as anti-inflammatory of the gastric mucous membranes and the respiratory system, as a mucolytic and antitussive.

Thanks to these properties, among medicinal uses of mallow are:

It constitutes a remedy of the first order for remove mucus accumulates in the upper respiratory tract and fight dry and irritating cough, soothe the throat and be able to breathe normally. It is also indicated in tonsillitis, bronchitis, laryngitis and flu processes.Mallow is also used to regulate intestinal transit and relieve constipation, combined with senna or frangula.It also results diuretic and it has been considered hypoglycemic.In herbalists it is recommended above all as an emollient, to improve pimples, boils, sores and canker sores.The mallow is also indicated against insect bites, in childhood hives, eczema, conjunctivitis, stomatitis and vulvovaginitis.

How to prepare mallow infusions and other home remedies

Anti-inflammatory infusion with mallow to relieve pharyngitis

The mallow in infusion combined with poppy, marshmallow and Scots pine budshelps reduce inflammation.

How to prepare it: The plants are combined in equal parts and a tablespoon of the mixture is prepared per cup of water. Boil for 3 minutes, leave to rest for another 10, filter and improve the flavor with a few drops of lemon juice. Take up to three cups a day, while the throat irritation lasts.

Mallow tea for gastritis

As a protector and anti-inflammatory of the gastric mucosa in case of gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcer, you can take an infusion of mallow, cat’s tail, licorice and green anise after main meals.

How to prepare it: Boil a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water for 3 minutes, let it rest for another 10, filter and add a few drops of lemon juice.

Rinse against mouth fungus

In order to eliminate fungus in the mouth and relieve gum irritation, a good remedy, suitable for childrencombine the mallow with lapacho (or pao d’arco), thyme and holm oak barkin equal parts.

How to prepare it: Boil two tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water for five minutes, let it rest for ten more and rinse your mouth two or three times a day.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”