Mallow
Scientific names: Malva sylvestris, Malva mauritiana, Malva neglecta, Malva rotundifolia
Family: Malvaceae
Alternate names: Blue Mallow Flower, Blue Malva, Cheeseflower, Common Mallow, Dwarf Mallow, Fromagère, Grande Mauve, Gul-Khair, High Mallow, Kunzi, Malva Silvestre, Malvae Flos, Malvae Folium, Mauls, Mauve, Mauve des Bois, Mauve à Feuilles Rondes, Mauve Négligée, Mauve Sauvage, Mauve Sylvestre, Vilayatiikangai
Background
Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It grows wild in fields. The flower and leaf are used as medicine.
Mallow flower contains a mucus-like substance that protects and soothes the throat and mouth.
People use mallow for constipation, mouth and throat irritation, dry cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse mallow with Chinese mallow, marshmallow, or Sida cordifolia. These are not the same.
Mallow flower contains a mucus-like substance that protects and soothes the throat and mouth.
People use mallow for constipation, mouth and throat irritation, dry cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse mallow with Chinese mallow, marshmallow, or Sida cordifolia. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Mallow flower extract is possibly safe when used for up to 4 weeks. It might cause stomach problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion in some people.
Children: Mallow cream is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to 4 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if mallow is safe for children when taken by mouth.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mallow is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Mallow cream is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to 4 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if mallow is safe for children when taken by mouth.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using mallow for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Traditionally, mallow has been used by adults as a tea prepared by steeping dried flowers or dried leaves. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Mallow interacts with any medicines. Before taking Mallow, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 01/05/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 21/12/2012 19:18:10. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
