Common mallow
Malva sylvestrisThe Roman poet Horace praised the mallow on his table as a sign of the simple life.
What is Common mallow?
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a plant of the Malvaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Andes. Part used: leaves, flowers.
What is Common mallow used for?
Traditional use: In spring the leaves are sautéed or stuffed. Scientific evidence: traditional. The mucilage in its leaves coats the throat and stomach.
Is Common mallow safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe. The mucilage can delay absorption of other medicines; leave an hour between them.
Traditional use
In spring the leaves are sautéed or stuffed. Its tea is drunk for coughs, the throat and the stomach; a poultice goes on swellings.
In folk medicine built on hot–cold balance, malva is a “cooling” herb, given for fevers and bowel inflammation.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Dwarf mallow (Malva neglecta) is used the same way. It has no well-known poisonous look-alike.
Preparation
Dried leaves and flowers are steeped or soaked in cold water.
What science says
The mucilage in its leaves coats the throat and stomach. The EMA recognises mallow for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough as traditional uses.
How strong is the evidence?
Claims often repeated online about Common mallow, and what science says today.
| Claim | Evidence | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Soothes throat irritation and dry cough | Traditional only | Recognised by the EMA as traditional; mucilage coats the throat. |
| Protects the stomach lining | Traditional only | Traditional use because of its mucilage; few studies. |
| Relieves constipation | Traditional only | As a mildly fibrous green, the leaf dish may help. |
| Prevents cancer | No evidence | No evidence in humans. |
Common mistakes
- Picking from polluted roadsides: the plant can accumulate heavy metals.
- Drinking it at the same time as medicines: mucilage can delay absorption; leave an hour between.
Frequently asked
How do I make mallow tea?
Steep dried leaves and flowers in boiling water, or soak them in cold water for a few hours to draw out more mucilage.
How is the mallow dish made?
Fresh leaves are cooked with onion and rice like spinach; a common spring dish in Anatolia.
Can I drink it in pregnancy?
There is not enough data; no risk is known when eaten as food.
Safety
Generally safe. The mucilage can delay absorption of other medicines; leave an hour between them.
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographMalvae folium: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- ResearchMalva sylvestris: fitokimyasal profil, farmakolojik etkiler ve güvenlik (derleme)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Malva sylvestris
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe