Malve
Mallow is a medicinal plant found in Eurasia and North Africa . The mucilage contained in it can be used against coughing and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
General overview
The mallow (Malva) is a genus of plants that belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae). It was used as a medicinal plant around 5000 years ago in ancient China. Mallow is one of the oldest known medicinal herbs. The genus mallow includes numerous different species, which are not always easy to distinguish. But they all have similar healing effects in common. The best-known types of mallow include the common mallow and the wild mallow. Sometimes the mallow is also called cheese poplar.
occurrence and cultivation
The growing area of the mallow extends from Europe across North Africa to Asia. Some mallow species are also native to Australia and North America. The plant is most commonly found on the edges of fences, in junkyards or along roadsides. The growth height of the mallow varies between 40 and 100 centimeters. One of their distinguishing features is their branchy, hairy plant stalk. The leaves, which are hairy on both sides, have pronounced serrations on their edges.
The flowers of the plant are in clusters within the leaf axils. Their coloring is pink to violet. The flowering period of the mallow takes place from May to September. One of the peculiarities of the mallow flowers is that the stamens and pistils grow together to form a tube. The term cheese poplar is due to the fact that the mallow seeds have the shape of a cheese loaf. The flowers of all types of mallow are suitable for consumption. Since they also contain dyes, they are also used to color food .
application and effect
The flowers and leaves of the mallow are used for therapeutic purposes. The leaves contain 5 to 12 percent mucilage . Their composition is made up of sugar molecules , which include glucuronic acid, glucose and galactose. In addition, the mucilage is also found in the flowers. Other ingredients in mallow are anthocyanins such as malvin, flavonoids , antioxidants , alkaloids , saponins , tannins such as tannins and vitamin C.
Mallow is usually taken in the form of tea. But cold extracts or blossom wine are also suitable forms of administration. To prepare the tea, 3 teaspoons of mallow leaves are poured over a quarter liter of boiled water. After a maximum brewing time of 15 minutes, the tea can be strained and taken. For a cold extract, the user mixes 3 teaspoons of mallow leaves with cold water that should reach room temperature. After three hours, the straining takes place. Meanwhile, the cold extract is stirred a few times. Several teacups can be taken per day. To make mallow blossom wine, about 50 grams of mallow blossoms are added to one liter of white wine. The steeping time is 10 days. Only then does the straining take place.
The young leaves of the common mallow are also suitable for culinary purposes. They are used as a substitute for vegetables or salad . Mallow tea is particularly suitable for treating sore throats and dry coughs. The mucilage is responsible for the positive effect. If these come into contact with the mucous membrane of the throat, mouth or gastrointestinal area, this leads to the formation of a protective layer, so to speak. Mallow also has a soothing effect on irritation and inflammation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa.
Against what does mallow help?
importance to health
The Greek doctor Pedanios Dioskurides, who worked as a Roman military doctor in the 1st century, was responsible for the name mallow. Dioscorides gave the medicinal herb the name “malakos”. Translated, this means “soft”. In addition, the Romans recommended mallow for its soothing and expectorant effects. Furthermore, the plant could also be used as an aphrodisiac for women and was used in pregnancy tests.
Mallow was also an important medicinal plant in the Middle Ages. People used mallow seeds to make porridge for weak children. In the 16th century, the plant was even considered a panacea. Today, the mallow has lost a great deal of its importance. However, their active ingredients still have positive properties in the treatment of sore throats.
In addition, the medicinal plant is suitable for the treatment of bronchitis, fever, colds, inflammation of the vocal cords or larynx , lung problems, hoarseness and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Other indications are diarrhoea, cystitis, eczema, gland swelling, inflamed skin and white discharge.
It is recommended not to take mallow together with medicines. There is a risk that the absorption of the drug will be negatively affected by the mucous substances. For this reason, the medication or mallow should only be taken at intervals of two to three hours.
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My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.