The mallow is a perennial herbaceous plant whose stem, more or less branched and up to one metre tall, can be either prostrate on the ground or erect. There are many varieties of mallow, but the one most commonly used in pharmacy is the wild variety, also known as Sylvestris.

Probably of North African and southern European origin, it has by now spread to all the milder regions of the world. Although it is often cultivated, it is easily found in sunny, grassy and even uncultivated places, wherever the soil is rich in nitrates.

Active compounds in mallow

Mallow naturally contains substances such as mucilages, pectins, tannins and anthocyanins, including malvin and malvidin (responsible for its colour). The latter, belonging to the flavonoid family, are present in high concentrations particularly in the leaves and flowers, together with polysaccharides.

All these active compounds, used in the preparation of infusions, make the plant an omnimorbia — that is, indicated for the treatment of all ailments. Mallow is, in fact, one of the few plants whose therapeutic virtues are known even to those with little expertise.

Properties

Wild mallow is ideal for treating certain conditions or inflammatory states because it acts as:

• an emollient
• a soothing agent
• an expectorant
• a laxative
• an anti-inflammatory

It is taken internally, in the form of an infusion, as an emollient in bronchitis with catarrh and as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic for the intestine, particularly in children and the elderly. For external use, it is employed as a gargle and mouth rinse in cases of stomatitis, mouth ulcers and dental abscesses, or in enemas for intestinal constipation.

Which parts of the plant to use

The parts of the mallow that are used are the leaves, covered in hairs and with a toothed margin, and the flowers of a pinkish-violet colour, which are gathered from June to September in bud or just after opening. The roots are sometimes used, as they are considered mildly analgesic and resolvent for boils and whitlows.

For coughs, colds, constipation and intestinal inflammation, the flowers and leaves (3g) should be used to prepare an infusion in 100 ml of water. One cup, taken in small sips, should be drunk two to three times a day.

For inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, fragile gums, dental neuralgia, reddened skin, boils and itching, a strong brew of leaves and flowers (5g) in 100 ml of water is recommended for use as rinses, gargles and washes several times a day.

Decoctions of mallow flowers and leaves, added to water, are also effective for emollient and moisturising baths.

Does mallow help with weight loss?

Thanks to its benefits for the intestine, mallow infusions can be taken daily, and are particularly useful as part of a dietary regimen. By exploiting its diuretic and mildly laxative action, the medicinal plant is said to facilitate the elimination of excess fluids and toxins that accumulate in the body, forming layers of subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Similar plants

When necessary, there are specimens with properties very similar to those of wild mallow. M.alcea, M.hirsuta, M.rotundifolia L. and M.vulgaris belong to the same family as the plant and can serve as valid substitutes.

Contraindications

Unlike other medicinal herbs, mallow presents no particular contraindications even for pregnant women. Its use is, however, discouraged in breastfed infants, as they have more sensitive intestines and are more prone to episodes of diarrhoea. In any case, it is always advisable to monitor the dosage for everyone.