ENGLISH NAME: Common Mallow
LATIN NAME: Malva sylvestris
LOCAL NAMES:
Czechia: Sléz lesní
Turkey: Ebegümeci
Bulgaria: Горски слез
Georgia: ბალბა (Balba)
COUNTRY: Turkey, Bulgaria,
Czechia, Georgia
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: Abkhazia, Samtskhe-Javakheti, widespread across temperate regions
Elevation: No strict elevation range, grows from lowlands to foothills
Terrain: Roadsides, fields, waste areas, and disturbed sites
DESCRIPTION:
Common Mallow is an herbaceous plant, typically growing 60–90 cm tall, with
broad, heart-shaped, and toothed leaves. Its vibrant pink, lavender, or purple
flowers appear in clusters and are 2.5–5 cm wide. The plant produces flat,
round, disk-shaped fruits that resemble small cheese wheels.
USABLE PARTS: Leaves, roots, flowers
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:
– Mucilage Content: High in
mucilage, providing demulcent (soothing) properties for respiratory and
digestive tracts
– Respiratory Support: Teas or
infusions used to soothe coughs and throat irritation
– Digestive Comfort: Mild
laxative effect; soothes inflammation in the digestive system
– Anti-inflammatory: Potential
benefits for skin irritations, wounds, and minor inflammations
– External Uses: Poultices from
leaves or flowers can calm minor skin irritations or bites
UNDESIRED EFFECTS:
– Allergic reactions may occur in sensitive individuals
COMBINING WITH
OTHER MEDICINES:
No significant interactions documented; consult a healthcare provider if used
alongside medications
PREPARATION:
– Leaves: Steep fresh leaves in
hot water (~10 min), strain, and drink as tea
– Flowers: Infuse in hot water
for a soothing tea, especially for mucous membranes
– Roots: Harvest in fall or
early spring, air-dry, and steep 1–2 tsp dried roots in hot water for 10–15 min
for a mild medicinal tea
HARVEST TIME:
– Leaves and flowers: Spring and early summer
– Roots: Fall or early spring
HARVEST METHOD:
– Leaves: Cut young, tender outer leaves with clean scissors
– Flowers: Pick fully open flowers gently during blooming season
– Roots: Carefully dig mature roots with a fork, avoiding damage
CONSERVATION
(STORAGE):
– Freeze or air-dry leaves; store dried leaves in a cool, dark place
– Dry flowers in a dark, ventilated spot, store airtight
– Air-dry roots and keep in cool, dry storage for future infusions or
decoctions