Mallow
Botanical characteristics of mallow
Mallow mallow is a one- or biennial herb from the Malvaceae family. It has branched stems 30–120 cm high. The leaves of the grass are round-cordate, five- or seven-lobed, with serrated edges. The flowers are whitish-pink, small, appear in July and bloom until August. The fruits of mallow are kalachiki. The plant has many species; it grows in the wild near roads, in parks, in wastelands, in vegetable gardens. Cultivated varieties adorn the front gardens of amateur gardeners, the flowers of such species are larger.
Useful properties of mallow
The herb is rich in vitamins and proteins, ascorbic acid, carotene. The leaves contain water, nitrogenous substances, sugars. Green kalachik fruits contain high amounts of ascorbic acid and anthocyanin compounds, including malvin chloride. The plant has an emollient, enveloping, soothing and anti-inflammatory effect.
The use of mallow
In folk medicine, the entire aerial part of the plant is used. Infusion of flowers and leaves is taken for lung diseases, sore throat, tracheitis, dry cough, restore hoarseness and loss of voice. Gargling eliminates inflammation of the tonsils and oral mucosa. Lotions are effective for burns, inflammation of the eyelids, tumors and rashes of various etiologies.
Broth from mallow: pour 1 tablespoon of herbs with a glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours and take 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. For lotions and rinses, the concentration of the broth should be increased. The beneficial properties of the herb due to the abundance of mucus have a laxative effect for chronic constipation, help get rid of intestinal atony.
Mallow is part of the herbs used for menopause.
Mallow flower
Tea made from mallow flowers is useful to drink for pain in the stomach, liver, intestines, flatulence and diarrhea.
Mallow infusion: 10-15 grams of mallow flowers are required to be brewed in 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, drain. They drink 3-4 glasses a day for colitis, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Types of mallow
There are several types of mallow in nature. They all have the same properties and practically do not differ in appearance.
Low mallow is an annual plant, blooms with white flowers from June to August, during the same period, raw materials are procured. In folk medicine, an infusion of flowers or leaves is used for colds, to reduce irritation and inflammation. Mucus plays the role of an adsorbent, removes toxins. With a dry, debilitating cough, it is useful to take funds internally and externally for catarrh of the throat, hoarseness. Hot baths with the addition of a decoction of the herb help with spleen swelling.
Forest mallow is a biennial herb that grows in the south and in the middle zone of the European part of Russia, in the Caucasus, in Central Asia. This species selects wastelands, roadsides, orchards, vegetable gardens and sparse gardens. For medicinal purposes, flowers are used, sometimes the leaves of a plant. The enveloping properties, due to the presence of a large amount of mucus, are excellent for the healing process in case of inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Infusion of mallow: boil 4 tablespoons of flowers and leaves with two glasses of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain and squeeze out the raw materials. Apply the infusion for rinsing and compresses.
Musk mallow has a pleasant aroma, as the culture has been cultivated in Europe since 1596 (late 16th century). This perennial plant grows up to a meter high. The leaves, flowers, and root of the plant can also be used to heal the respiratory and digestive system.
Curly mallow is a rather powerful, fast-growing plant with a thick, upright yellow stem. It grows quickly, the bush reaches two meters in three months, you can hide behind its dense greenery. Beautiful wavy leaves remain green for a long time, they are very tasty and nutritious, they resemble chicken meat. They are added to salads, first courses. The dried leaves can be ground into powder and used for healing or as a filling herb.
Squat mallow is a herbaceous annual plant with a weak recumbent stem and light, almost white flowers. Its chemical composition is the same as that of other species, it has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Fresh leaves in a crushed form are applied to wounds, ulcers. They are able to dissolve boils and speed up the healing process.
Contraindications to the use of mallow
No serious contraindications to the use of mallow as a medicine have been identified.
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).
