Rose mallow has been somewhat forgotten as a medicinal plant, despite its wide-ranging healing properties in the area of many inflammatory ailments. This deciduous plant is only one representative within the large mallow family and most similar to the musk mallow. In Austria, the mallow is known as a “flowery protective screen with great healing power”.
Occurrence and cultivation of the rose mallow
Rose mallow has been somewhat forgotten as a medicinal plant, despite its wide-ranging healing properties in the area of many inflammatory ailments. Rose mallow (Malva alcea) belongs to the mallow family. Originally, it was native only to the eastern Mediterranean, but came with the people to Central Europe in early times. In our latitudes it is a neophyte or archaeophyte. The small plant is quite undemanding as far as growing conditions are concerned, as it thrives preferably on wasteland on dams, roadsides and embankments, often close to settlements. The only requirement it has is nitrogenous and calcareous soil to find optimal growing conditions. However, there are also mallow species that prefer heavy, nutrient-rich soil. Mauve plants are annuals to biennials that always grow upward. There are many different species that are hard to tell apart. The best known plants within the mallow family are the rose mallow, the wild mallow and the path mallow. The rose mallow is a deciduous plant and can grow up to 125 centimeters tall and has pink, red or purple flowers. The erect stem is equipped with star hairs and conventional hairs, and the leaf blade of the foliage leaves have a stalked shape. On the upper part of the plant the leaves grow in a deep hand shape, divided into about seven sections. They are additionally jointed or toothed. The lower leaves grow round to kidney-shaped and are only slightly divided. A striking feature of rose mallow are the eponymous pink, five-petaled flowers, which grow in a rounded to triangular shape. The overall flower pattern looks similar to a star. Other typical features include the fringed pink to purple petals and the many stamens, fused into a one-inch-long tube, surrounding the pistil. This deciduous plant blooms from June to early fall. The flowers are odorless. All species of mallow are used completely. The collection period of the leaves and flowers is from June to August, and the seeds are taken from August to September. The roots are collected already in spring from March to April. The mallow is also known by the popular names of scratching claws, horse mallow, poplar, St. John’s poplar, hibiscus, field mallow and goose poplar.
Effect and application
Since prehistoric times, people used mallow plants to treat various ailments and diseases. All mallow plants record a similar effect. What is applicable to the rose mallow can also be applied to the other mallow species. The rose mallow has an irritation-reducing, anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect. Therefore, it is preferably used in colds for infections and bronchitis. It treats inflammation of the throat, mouth and neck and addresses hoarseness, colds, fever and cough. It is used for inflammation of the intestinal and gastric mucosa, inflammation of the vocal cords and larynx, cystitis, glandular swelling, diarrhea and white discharge. Used externally, it has a soothing effect on abrasions, puncture wounds and burns, and relieves itching and redness from insect bites. As ingredients, mucilage and tannins act as the main component. In this case, naturopathy, like homeopathy, treats “like with like”, since it is mainly the mucilages that exert the soothing effect on all types of mucous membrane irritation and inflammation. The mucilages exert their soothing effect when combined with water. Phenolic compounds and anthocyanins have an anti-inflammatory effect. The leaves are rich in flavonoids, the flowers contain anthocyanins. Mallow flowers and mallow leaves can be used for the same purposes. However, they are different therapies because of the different active ingredients. The mallow ingredients are preferably used as herbal tea. Three teaspoons of mallow leaves are poured over quart of boiling water. After 15 minutes, strain and the herbal tea is ready to drink.This tea can also be used as a cold brew, of which drink about three cups per day. A flower wine can be prepared from 50 grams of mallow leaves and one liter of white wine at room temperature. After ten days it is ready for consumption. For the treatment of the previously mentioned ailments, it is recommended to take two to three tablespoons of mallow wine daily. Homeopathy uses the different types of mallow in the form of globules, which develop the same mode of action as the plant components used.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The plant ingredients of rose mallow are harmless, as they are not toxic. Botanically and scientifically, mallow species are listed as drug plants. Mallow leaves are popularly used as an ingredient in salads and the seeds are eaten raw. They have a mild nutty flavor and the same effect on health as the leaves. Interactions with other medications are possible with mallow preparations, as they can decrease absorption. For this reason, there should be more than one hour between taking medications and mallow. Mauve preparations should not be taken in case of congestion of the respiratory tract, as their sedative effect prevents expectoration and drainage. The mode of action of mallow plants is scientifically proven. Commission E of the “Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices” advocates therapy with mallow flowers and mallow leaves “for irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat and for dry irritating cough.”
The “European Federation of National Societies for Phytotherapy” limits treatment recommendations to use “for dry cough, mucosal irritation of the mouth and throat, and irritated stomach.”
