Mallow
Useful properties and use of mallow
Mallow description
Mallow is an amazing medicinal plant native to Africa, North America and Eurasia. Most often it is a biennial plant, although there are cases when mallow lives for only one year. The plant is a short grass from 30 to 120 cm long. At the base, the stem is always pubescent, and along its entire length it remains naked. The root of the mallow is tap-root and has a pronounced branching. The stem of the plant is straight along its entire length.
Leaves grow on long stalks of the plant attached to the stem. They have the shape of a rounded heart, and are serrated along the edges. The leaf blade is pubescent, it is divided into five or seven lobes. Mallow blooms unusually beautifully. From June to August you can admire the beautiful large flowers. They often have five petals, colored hot pink or red. The flowers are oblong, ovoid with deep grooves.
Each petal of a mallow flower has three dark stripes along its entire length. The fruit of the presented plant is usually dry. When ripe, it always breaks down into several small parts.
Useful properties of mallow
The chemical composition of the plant has been little studied. But it is known that mallow contains a large amount of vitamins C and A, carotene, and also secretes mucus. The seeds of the plant contain about 18% fatty oils. Mallow mucus has unique healing properties. It is thanks to this mucus that such a wonderful plant has an excellent enveloping effect. Mallow perfectly helps to liquefy and remove phlegm, and is also actively used as part of strengthening agents.
Mallow application
In case of serious diseases of the throat, inflammation of the oral cavity, it is recommended to use special tinctures and various decoctions with the addition of mallow. Thanks to this particular healing plant, the mucous membranes are quickly restored, and the inflammation disappears. Mallow is often used as a compress for extensive wounds and ulcers. In case of puffiness of the eyes, it is also recommended to use a special compress using such a medicinal plant.
Thanks to the phytoestrogens of mallow, compresses applied to the breast significantly improve tissue elasticity. It should be mentioned that this medicinal plant is widely used in cosmetology. Mallow extract is used as a vitamin agent that helps moisturize the skin and fight various purulent inflammations. You can also notice mallow in the composition of medical cosmetics, which helps to restore the epidermis.
Growing mallow
Mallow tolerates drought well, is a very unpretentious plant. It grows well in fertile soils. The plant always needs watering, but does not tolerate stagnant water. Sowing mallow should be in mid-May, closer to early June. Then in July next year it will already be possible to admire its beautiful flowers. Usually mallow is sown at their permanent place of residence immediately after cultivation of the land. You can also use special seedlings. In this case, you need to sow the seeds in May and place them in the greenhouse.
After several leaves have developed, the plant can be replanted. Due to the fact that mallow grows very actively, it is necessary to place seedlings at a distance of 40 to 60 centimeters from each other. It is also recommended to plant this unique plant along a fence or in open areas. Mallow can be placed as a single plant or in a group.
The presented plant is difficult to endure winter in temperate latitudes. In order to protect the mallow, it is worth transferring it to the greenhouse or placing it in the basement during the cold season. I would like to note that the mallow buds continue to bloom after they are cut, you just need to put them in water.
Mallow seeds
The seeds of this medicinal plant contain about 18% fatty oils. The ancient Egyptians used seeds as an amazing tool for complete cleansing of the respiratory tract from various pathogens. The Arabs preferred to use the seeds as an addition to coffee. And in eastern countries, mallow is considered a very common food seasoning.
Currently, crushed mallow seeds can be used in tea. It is recommended to fill in a small amount of seeds, add a little honey for a sweet taste, and then pour over your favorite type of tea.
Mallow root
The plant's powerful root can also be used medicinally. A delicious broth is obtained from it, known for its unique beneficial properties. You can use the broth as an external agent, as well as ingested. In addition, a unique tincture based on mallow roots is widely used to effectively treat various inflammations and compresses.
In China, mallow root is used as a medicine for the treatment of dangerous bronchitis and pneumonia. In Tibetan medicine, this plant is used as a diuretic. In addition, the roots are prescribed for colds, for coughs, as well as for numerous diseases of the stomach and for the treatment of diarrhea.
Mallow leaves
In folk medicine, mallow leaves are used as an excellent remedy for inflammation. You can easily prepare a healing infusion at home. To do this, add 20 grams of crushed leaves to 200 ml of ordinary warm water. Such a fantastic mixture should be infused for about 2 hours, after which it should be filtered. It is recommended to take this mixture twice a day at the first manifestations of a cold and with symptoms of bronchitis. Fresh leaves of the plant can be applied to wounds and extensive skin inflammations.
For serious diseases of the spleen, a special therapeutic bath can be made. It is worth taking about 200 grams of mallow leaves, add Chernobyl and chamomile to them, in an amount slightly less than mallow, and then mix with a small amount of grains. You need to insist this exceptional mixture in a liter of water for at least a day. After that, you can fill the bath with infusion and take it before bed. It should be mentioned that various decoctions using the leaves of the plant are also used as emollients and anti-inflammatory agents.
Mallow extract
The miraculous extract of mallow has been used since ancient times. It is easily obtained by soaking the leaves and flowers of mallow. Due to the presence of essential vitamins and amino acids in it, it effectively relieves swelling and also soothes the skin. The peerless extract is considered to be an excellent stimulant that delightfully restores the skin's lining by stimulating cell regeneration. It should be noted acceleration of cell metabolism and collagen synthesis.
Moreover, this excellent extract also has a beneficial effect on the regulation of skin cell maturation. Thanks to the polysaccharides that make up the flowers of the plant, a gel is made. It has a soothing effect on the skin. Mallow is widely used in cosmetics. You can see the presence of this plant on tubes of baby shampoos, various makeup removers, creams for sensitive skin, refreshing shower gels and various balms.
Mallow tea
The tea drink, which contains mallow, is extremely useful, first of all, for the digestive system. Due to a number of useful and healing properties, it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the intestines, and also fights diarrhea. In addition, mallow herbal tea has an excellent anti-inflammatory effect on the oral cavity. It also helps fight severe coughs. Due to the presence of polysaccharides and mucus, the plant perfectly liquefies phlegm and promotes its excretion from the lungs.
After long-term use of such wonderful tea with mallow, the cough becomes much softer and more productive, and the phlegm is gradually coughing up. You can prepare such a drink yourself. To do this, add 2 teaspoons of well-chopped mallow to a quarter liter of water. You can also use both flowers and leaves of the plant. The mixture should be infused for about 10 hours, it is advisable to stir it from time to time.
After infusion, it is recommended to gently strain the tea. It can be used as a substitute for regular tea. To enhance the expectorant effect of the drink, you can add a spoonful of honey to a glass of tea. You can also drink this tea to prevent coughs, flu and other infectious diseases. Tea is used not only for ingestion, but also for external use. In case of inflammation, it should be used as a mouthwash.
Slimming mallow
One of the uses for this plant is home remedies for weight loss. You can make a healing herbal collection yourself. It is necessary to dry the leaves and flowers of mallow, then chop them thoroughly. Take the mixture in the amount of 10 grams, add the same amount of borage flowers. After adding one glass of water, you need to boil this effective mixture for 20 minutes. After the broth has cooled to room temperature, it should be filtered. This remedy is used for oral administration for one month.
Contraindications for mallow
Mallow is a fairly safe product. Numerous means and pharmacological preparations created on the basis of the plant also have no contraindications. The only limitation to use is mallow allergy.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
