Wild Mallow – Healing Properties and Uses

The wild mallow, also called cheese poplar or horse poplar, is one of the best-known and oldest medicinal plants. It is known, among other things, for its mucolytic effect, which naturopaths have been using for thousands of years. Today, the herbaceous vegetable plant is better known as a beautiful sunflower.

 

Wild mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a popular vegetable plant that is also often used as a medicinal plant. Originally, it was native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, but today it has spread as far as Central Asia and the Himalayas. It thrives on the edges of paths and meadows but also loves embankments and even wasteland. Synonyms for this plant include:

• Algerian mallow
• Horse mallow
• Cheese herb (Swiss German)
• Garden poplar
• Cheese herb
• Blue poplar flowers

It is not only pretty but also very popular in phytotherapy: The mucilage-forming properties of wild mallow are said to help with irritated mucous membranes by forming a protective film over the affected areas. Thus, herbal medicine uses extracts of the herb for dry, irritating coughs. Wild mallow is also used in gastrointestinal care.

Wild mallow was once one of the most important plants in naturopathy in the Middle Ages. The cultivation of this herbaceous vegetable plant was prescribed in the estate regulations of Charlemagne, and almost every herbal book contains an entry on wild mallow. Today, Malva sylvestris is used almost exclusively in naturopathy for colds.

Caution: Consuming wild mallow can reduce the effectiveness of medical preparations. There should be at least one hour between taking your medicine and consuming a product containing mallow.

 

The most important components of wild mallow that produce its effects are the mucilages. They are present in concentrations between five and twelve percent. These include several sugar molecules. Flavonoids are also found in the herb.

 

Besides its use in naturopathy, mallow is used by gardeners and cooks. Gardeners can make a beautiful summer bed shine in all kinds of colors with mallow species. Especially natural-style beds increasingly contain wild mallow. Wild mallow is rarely missing in pretty and natural flower bouquets.

In the kitchen, the flowers, stems, and leaves are excellent for garnishing and decorating. The leaves can also be steamed like spinach and enjoyed as a meal. Particularly popular among gourmets are the unripe fruits, sometimes called "Kaiselaiber". They taste nutty and resemble capers.

 

Wild mallow has a long tradition as a medicinal plant for humans. The first mentions are found in ancient works. For example, Dioscorides mentioned that mallow helps with uterine ailments and certain poisons. Pliny believed that mallow could promote childbirth if placed under the birthing mother. Hildegard of Bingen also mentioned wild mallow but advised against consuming it because it contains too many mucilages. Today we know that this mucilage can be helpful and might, for example, relieve dry cough.

 

The herbaceous plant grows between 30 and 120 centimeters tall. It often grows as an annual. The individual varieties of wild mallow differ greatly in their growth form, so a very detailed description is difficult. Some spread low and wide, others grow tall and bushy. The summer flower produces blue-violet to pink flowers from May to September.

 

We know a total of 30 mallow species, with the wild mallow (Malva sylvestris) being one of the most interesting representatives in natural medicine. Originally native to southern Europe, wild mallows prefer sunny and warm locations such as roadside edges or forest clearings. They have no special soil requirements as long as the soil is permeable, loose, and possibly nutrient-rich. Late April is the time to sow wild mallow outdoors. If you want the plants to flower faster, raise the seedlings indoors on the windowsill. It is important to keep a distance of about 40 cm between the individual plants to prevent competition. 

Wild mallow must not dry out, while waterlogging is even more deadly for the herbaceous vegetable plant. Adding fertilizers is not really necessary, but a little compost at sowing is helpful.

 

As just mentioned, we know 30 species of mallow. Another phytotherapeutically interesting species is the Mauretanian mallow (Malva sylvestris subsp. mauritiana). It is native to Algeria and the Iberian Peninsula. Its leaves are large and dark violet, and the flowers are marked by deep veins. If you want to beautify your mallow bed even more, you can choose the Zebrina mallow species, which has light flowers with red markings. The Blue Fountain species shines in violet-blue. It gets really colorful with the Mallow species Mystic Merlin, which can take on a variety of flower colors.

 

Wild mallow has numerous names: cheese poplar, horse poplar, cheese herb, cat cheese, hare poplar, hemp poplar, and other folk nicknames – but it is not related to the poplar tree!

The name instead comes from the word “papp,” meaning porridge. In the past, meals were prepared with wild mallow, especially for children. It was actually cultivated as a useful kitchen plant as early as antiquity.

Wild mallow requires quite a bit of nitrogen, which is why it can serve as a nitrogen indicator. Where wild mallow grows, the soil is rich in nitrogen.

 

Wild mallow (Malva sylvestris) originally comes from Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. More specifically, it comes from countries like Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey. It has since spread to other regions of Europe and Asia. It prefers to grow along paths and on embankments.

Phytotherapy deals with the medicinal effects of plants. Wild mallow can also be used phytotherapeutically. It has a mucolytic and anti-inflammatory effect on the mucous membranes, which is why it can be used for dry cough. Inflamed and irritated skin can also be relieved by wild mallow. Wild mallow is occasionally found in cough syrups, lozenges, and mouthwashes. Please consider seeing a doctor if symptoms persist.

Yes, consuming wild mallow can cause side effects. Therefore, you should consult a doctor when using medications and wild mallow together. Additionally, there should be several hours between taking medications and wild mallow.

There are only a few reports of side effects from wild mallow. Moreover, side effects cannot be clearly attributed to the consumption of wild mallow. The following complaints could occur:

• Gastrointestinal complaints
• Allergic reactions
• Interactions with other medications

There are at least 30 mallow species, some of which are also interesting for naturopathy. We list the most popular representatives:

Common mallow (Malva neglecta): It resembles wild mallow and is also used for coughs, sore throats, and respiratory irritations.

Chinese mallow (Malva verticillata): This species is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is said to promote digestion and protect against constipation.

Musk mallow (Malva moschata): This mallow is primarily used for mallow teas. It is used for colds, coughs, and gastrointestinal complaints.

Cretan mallow (Malva cretica): Known from Mediterranean folk medicine, it is used similarly to wild mallow.

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Although roselle is not technically a mallow species, it belongs to the mallow family. It is used in naturopathy for high blood pressure and to promote digestion.

There are numerous forms in which you can purchase wild mallow. We list the most well-known forms:

Dried herbs: The dried herbs have a long shelf life and are sold loose. They can be used for teas, infusions, inhalations, and much more.

Tea bags: They are only used for brewing tea. Loose tea usually has better quality and is processed more gently.

Tinctures: You can buy tinctures or make them yourself by placing mallow herb in alcohol in a screw-top jar and letting it sit in a warm place for about 3 weeks. Tinctures are used both internally and externally.

Ointments and creams: The cosmetics industry is rediscovering the wild mallow and adding it to some creams and lotions.