Rose mallow – uses and health benefits

Rosen-Malve

Rose mallows have been used as medicinal plants for hundreds of years. Even after the healing abbess Hildegard von Bingen (12th century) they were often used in empirical medicine. Despite its formerly wide range of applications, the rose mallow has almost fallen into oblivion today.

General overview

The rose mallow (Malva alcea) is also called hibiscus and horse mallow. The perennial plant grows as a deciduous herbaceous shrub from 50 to 125 cm in height. Its erect stem is covered with hairs and stellate hairs at its upper end. The alternate light green leaves of the rose mallow are hand-shaped in the upper part of the medicinal plant , pinnate 5 to 7 times and toothed. The leaves located further down have a rounded, only slightly subdivided shape.

On the same plant, single odorless pink, red or violet flowers appear in umbels from June onwards. They are bowl-shaped, 5-fold and have a diameter of 5 to 10 cm. In the center of the flower is the tube of stamens that have grown together, which is typical for mallows. If you want to collect leaves and flowers, you should do so from June to August. The tiny rose mallow seeds can be harvested in August/September. Spring is the best time to dig up the roots. The leaves and flowers of the old medicinal plant can be eaten raw. If you want, you can also use the leaves cooked as a vegetable side dish. The ripe seeds of the rose mallow taste mild and nutty.

Occurrence and cultivation

The rose mallow probably comes from the eastern Mediterranean. Today, apart from throughout Europe, it is also found in Asia. In Central Europe, in the area north of the Alps, it is even one of the highly endangered plant species. The plant prefers sunny, wind-protected and warm locations and grows in cottage gardens, on fallow land, along roadsides, on embankments and even near residential areas.

It prefers dry, permeable, limestone and nutrient-rich soils. If you plant them in the garden, you will get a fairly undemanding plant that needs moderate but regular watering and fertilizing. However, a distance of 55 cm should be maintained between the individual perennials. The rose mallow is very popular with bees and is well suited for stone and natural gardens, as a bed and hedge plant as well as for locations at the light wood edge.

Application and effect

Rose mallows contain 6 to 10% mucilage as the most important active substance, anthocyanins (flowering pigments), flavonoids , tannins and polyphenols (secondary plant substances). They are used internally and externally in the form of dried and crushed flowers and leaves. Rose mallows are anti-oxidative , soothing, anti-inflammatory , antipyretic , analgesic, constipating, wound-healing, soothing and soothing.

The mucilages (polysaccharides) contained in mallow flowers and leaves reduce the production of secretions and neutralize irritating decomposing substances present in the secretions. This reduces inflammation. The polysaccharides swell in liquid and form a viscous mucus that covers the inflamed or irritated areas with a protective film.

The inflamed mucous membrane located under this protective layer heals. Rose mallows are mostly used as a tea. To prepare a blossom tea, pour 1 heaped teaspoon (0.5 g) with 1 cup (150 ml) of cold water and let the tea boil briefly on the stove. The covered tea must steep for 10 minutes. In the case of inflammation of the mucous membranes or irritation, the patient drinks 2 to 3 cups of rose mallow tea daily. For the cold infusion, add 3 teaspoons to 1/4 liter of cold water and strain the whole thing after 15 minutes. The patient should also take about 3 cups of this per day. In homeopathy, the active ingredients are administered in the form of globules. Cave: You should not use the herbal preparations if you have congested airways ( bronchitis , asthma). Active ingredients from the rose mallow should be taken at least one hour apart from medication, as they can reduce their effectiveness.

What does the rose mallow help against?

importance to health

Rose mallow is used to treat irritation of the mouth and throat, inflammation (stomatitis) and dry, irritating cough. In empirical medicine, it also showed a high level of effectiveness for sore throats, hoarseness, gingivitis, colds, sore throat, stomach irritation and gastrointestinal inflammation, fever, diarrhea and other inflammations (urinary bladder, larynx , etc. ) .

Its mucous membrane-protecting and irritation-relieving properties can even be useful when used externally for skin inflammation, injuries caused by burns, bites and accidents (grazes) and insect bites. In the case of the latter, the active plant ingredients also have an anti-pruritic effect.

For the medical indication “mouth and throat irritation and dry, dry cough” there is also a positive assessment by Commission E for the leaves and flowers. The umbrella organization of European phytotherapists (ESCOP) extends the recommendation to include the use of rose mallow natural remedies for stomach irritation.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
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.

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