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Psicología del Amor

Malva Sylvestris: properties and benefits of an edible and healing plant

Mallow, an edible and healing wild plant

The mauve (Malva sylvestris)present throughout the northern hemisphere and very common in our countryappears on the margins of roads and fields, open fields, abandoned lots and grasslands.

It is a biennial or perennial plant, prostrate or erect, with palmate leaves and deep pink flowerswith dark veins. It blooms from March until late autumn.

For medicinal and culinary purposes the flowers and leaves are harvested, which they are left to dry as quickly as possible, so that The flowers take on a navy blue tone.

How can you consume mallow?

It takes the dried plant in infusionthe syrup, the liquid extract, the decoction for external use to gargle; he fresh plant juice and hot leaf poultices on abscesses, eczema and whitlows.

Properties of mallow

Dioscorides already spoke of its virtues to relieve «the guts and the bladder», although the popular proverb reserves less flattering references, such as the allusion to «breed mallows» for being dead or the saying «he who cures himself with mallow, goes badly.»

But the truth is that the mauve -rich in mucilageanthocyanosides such as malvina, tannins and vitamins– is a star of herbalists.

Mallow is a balm for the throat: it stands out above all as anti-inflammatory of the gastric mucosa and respiratory system, as a mucolytic and antitussive.

Thanks to these properties, among the medicinal uses of mallow are:

  • It constitutes a first order remedy for remove mucus that accumulates in the upper respiratory tract and combat dry and irritating cough, soften the throat and be able to breathe normally.
  • It is also indicated in tonsillitis, bronchitis, laryngitis and flu processes.
  • Mallow is also used to regulate intestinal transit and relieve constipation, combined with senna or frangula.
  • It is also diuretic and has been considered hypoglycemic.
  • In herbalists it is recommended above all as an emollient, to improve pimples, boils, sores and mouth ulcers.
  • Mauve is also indicated against insect bites, in childhood urticaria, eczema, conjunctivitis, stomatitis and vulvovaginitis.

How to prepare mallow infusions and other home remedies

Anti-inflammatory infusion with mallow to relieve pharyngitis

Mallow infusion combined with poppy, marshmallow and Scots pine shootshelps reduce inflammation.

How to prepare it: Combine the plants in equal parts and prepare one tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water. Boil it for 3 minutes, let it rest for another 10, filter it and improve the flavor with a few drops of lemon juice. Up to three cups a day are taken, as long as the throat irritation lasts.

Mallow tea for gastritis

As a protector and anti-inflammatory of the gastric mucosa in case of gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcer, you can take an infusion of mallow, cat’s tail, licorice and green anise after main meals.

How to prepare it: Boil a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water for 3 minutes, let it rest for another 10, filter it and add a few drops of lemon juice.

Rinse against oral fungus

In order to eliminate fungus in the mouth and relieve gum irritation, a good remedy, suitable for childrencombine the mallow with lapacho (or pao d’arco), thyme and oak barkin equal parts.

How to prepare it: Boil two tablespoons of the mixture per half a liter of water for five minutes, let it rest for ten more and rinse your mouth two or three times a day.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”

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