Mallow: Medicinal Uses

Products

Mallow is available as an open product in pharmacies and drugstores and is commercially available as a tea from various suppliers. Mallow is an ingredient in breast tea (Species pectorales). Mallow extract is on the market as a liquid and ointment (Malvedrin) and is included in cosmetics such as shampoos and shower gels.

Stem plant

  • Wild mallow L., Malvaceae
  • Way mallow Wallr., Malvaceae

Medicinal drug

The leaves and flowers are used as a medicinal herb. Mallow leaves (Malvae folium) consist of the dried, whole or cut leaves of L. and / or Wallr. Mallow flowers (Malvae sylvestris flos) consist of the whole or cut dried flowers of L. or its cultivated varieties.

Ingredients

Constituents include mucilages from carbohydrates, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, and tannins.

Effects

Mallow leaves and flowers have soothing, emollient, and antitussive properties.

Indications for use

  • Cough.
  • Inflammation of the mouth and throat, sore throat.
  • Mallow extract is used externally against skin diseases.
  • The flowers are also used at Easter to dye eggs.
  • In cosmetics for body care.

Dosage

According to the package leaflet. The medicinal drug is prepared as an infusion. The preparations are administered as a tea, in the form of poultices, washes, for gargling, mouthwashes and as baths.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects include hypersensitivity reactions.