Common names: High mallow, common mallow
Botanical name: Malva sylvestris
© Martin Wall
Parts used and where grown
Mallow originates from southern Europe and Asia but has spread all over the world as a
common weed. Its cousin, the dwarf mallow (Malva neglecta), is another Eurasian plant
that has spread far and wide. Other similar plants in the same family (Malvaceae) are
hibiscus and marshmallow. The dried or fresh
flowers and leaves of high mallow and dwarf mallow are used as food and medicine.
Mallow has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
Mallow has been used as food and medicine in Europe since the time of ancient Greece and
Rome. Traditional herbal medicine continues to regard the plant as a useful anti-inflammatory
agent for the respiratory tract, the skin, and the gastrointestinal tract.1 The
esteemed German physician and herbal authority, Rudolf Weiss, MD, recommended mallow primarily
for irritations of the mouth and throat, as well as for dry, irritating coughs.2 He
also mentions its use topically for mild cases of
Like its close relative
marshmallow (Althea officinalis), mallow leaves and flowers contain high
amounts of mucilage.3 Mucilage, made up of complex carbohydrates, gives mallow most
of its soothing activity, though flavonoids and anthocyanidins may also contribute. In herbal
medicine, mallow is classified as a demulcent—a soothing agent that counters irritation
and mild inflammation. Both mallow leaf and flower preparations are approved by the German
Commission E for relief of sore throats and
dry coughs.4 Mallow is typically
used as a tea or gargle for these indications.
In test tube studies, one carbohydrate in mallow has been shown to inhibit a component of
the immune system known as the complement cascade.5 Excessive activation of the
complement cascade has been implicated in chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders,
suggesting that further research on mallow in these areas is warranted. A polysaccharide from
the seeds of a related mallow (Malva verticillata) stimulated white blood cells known
as macrophages in a test tube study.6 Crude powder of one mallow species showed
anticancer effects in another test tube study.7
How much is usually taken?
Mallow leaf and flower preparations are most commonly consumed as teas.8 Boil 2
to 4 teaspoons of the dried leaves or flowers in 150 ml of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes.
One cup of the tea can be drunk three times per day. For topical use, a cloth can be dipped in
the hot tea, allowed to cool, and then applied to inflamed skin. Alternatively, a cold
infusion can be made, by soaking 6 teaspoons of the dry herb in a quart of cold water
overnight, and then applied topically. According to some herbalists, the cold infusion likely
extracts the plant’s mucilage (a soothing, gelatinous substance) most effectively and
may work best for both internal and topical use.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
There are no known adverse effects from mallow when used in the amounts suggested
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
1. Lust J. The Herb Book. Toronto: Bantam Books, 1974,
2. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and
Beaconsfield: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd., trans. Meuss AR, 1985, 196.
3. Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press, 1994, 313–6.
4. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete
German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX:
American Botanical Council and Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 164.
5. Gonda R, Tomoda M, Shimizu N, Yamada H. Structure and
anticomplementary activity of an acidic polysaccharide from the leaves of Malva
sylvestris var. mauritiana. Carbohydr Res
6. Gonda R, Tomoda M, Shimizu N, Kanari M. Characterization of an acidic
polysaccharide from the seeds of Malva verticillata stimulating the phagocytic
activity of cells of the RES. Planta Med 1990;56:73–6.
7. Huang CY, Zeng LF, He T, et al. In vivo and in vitro studies on the
antitumor activities of MCP (Malva crispa L. Powder). Biomed Environ Sci
8. Schulz V, Hänsel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A
Physician’s Guide to Herbal Medicine. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1998,