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Mallow                                                 

Malva neglecta

Common mallow, Cheeseweed

Malva parviflora

Little mallow

Malvacea – Mallow family

Description

Mallow is a clump-forming, spreading annual, or short lived perennial with a thickened, short taproot.  The plant increases in size quickly even in the presence of modest rainfall.  The large 5-7 lobed leaves are heart-shaped at their bases and have serrated margins; they are attached to long petioles that connect to the main spreading stems.  Typically, the 5-petaled flowers are inconspicuous, white to pale lavender or pinkish, cleft, and, ¼-2/3 of an inch long.  The fruit is round, flattened, and button-like; the 5 sepals that remain after the other flower parts drop off surround it.  The round seed disk separates into 10-12 sections or carpels, each of these contain 1 seed.  Throughout parts of the southwest that have winter-spring influenced Pacific rains, Mallow is an initiatory plant that when at its peak literally can cover anything in its path that is not moved. 

Distribution

This European native is commonly found throughout the United States.  It is here to stay and is thriving in the west.  Look for the plant anywhere the ground has been disturbed, but particularly around edges of building and structures, irrigated lands, yards, and roadsides. 

Chemistry

Polysaccharides: arabinogalactans, b-d-glucan, l-arabinose, d-xylose, l-rhamnose, d-galactose, d-galacturonic acid, and d-glucuronic acid

Medicinal Uses

Mallow has several distinct medicinal effects practically identical to Marshmallow, Hollyhock, and Globemallow.  The tea is soothing to a dry, irritative cough and bronchial irritation present typically in the beginning or ending stages of a lung cold or bronchitis.  Mallow’s polysaccharides are stimulating to innate immunity; leukocyte activities are enhanced.  The plant’s effect is not necessarily strong but it is helpful during the wintertime cold and flu season to combat immune depression.

Some of these Mallow family constituents are excreted through the kidneys and out the urinary tract.  The change in quality of urine that follows has a soothing, antiinflammatory effect on the area.  Lower urinary tract irritation is lessened, as is episodic kidney inflammation.  Mallow has an age-old use as a kidney stone preventive.  So drink a cup of tea daily if prone to lithic deposits.  Its taste is pleasant enough to warrant long-term use without revulsion.  If suffering from gastritis from stress reactions or poor dietary choices Mallow is soothing to inflamed gastric mucosa.  It is well combined with Artemisia douglasiana or A. filifolia in healing peptic ulcers.  Like Globemallow, the fresh or dried plant can be used as a drawing poultice.  The tissue stimulating and softening effect provided by Mallow is of use in resolving boils, abscesses, and removing splinters.  Combine with other immune stimulating or circulation enhancing herbs for a more profound effect.

Indications

Bronchitis with an irritative cough

Cystitis/urethritis

Kidney irritation

Urinary tract gravel, as a preventive

Gastritis

Boils/abscesses/splinters (internal and external)

Collection

The entire plant – leaves, stems and roots – are useable.  In loose, moist soils, the taproots pull up easily; when split they are starchy and white.

Preparations and Dosage

Leaf infusion/root decoction: 4-8 ounces 3 times daily

Cautions

None known.

Copyright © 2006 by Charles W. Kane

This and additional profiles are found in Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest