Energetics - cooling and moistening - sweet, salty.
Family - Malvaceae (mallow)
Folklore -
Mallow is seen throughout the year, spring and summer where you will find flowers and in the autumm when there is new growth and abundance of wet weather. Mallow unlike its cousin Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) which loves moist condition, can survive very dry conditions. The lush green leaves and delicate flowers hold a moisturizing medicine for our skin and bodies, the plant matter has a gloopy consistancy when chewed or made into tea and this can be used for multiple uses.
Uses - Mallow leaves and flowers are edible and best consumed when the leaves are young and succulant. Mallow brings moisture and relief to dry conditions whether they be on the outer skin or in the inner body.
Hot tea - Take a mallow leaf and infuse in boiling water for 10 mins or so, with a lid to retain essential oils. The tea can help with sore throats, hot dry spasmodic coughs, irritated lungs and congestion. Polysaccharides in mallow species have shown immunomodulating activity, helping the body ward off an infection.
Cold tea - A cold infusion creates a soothing mallow water, just infuse with cold water and leave overnight and consume within 24 hours.
Skin - Eczema, dry skin, burns will benefit from the application of mallow, either in a salve or a cooled tea. In outdoor situations leaves can be chewed and applied for relief. Mallow can help reduce bacterial infection and heal wounds/skin.
As with all new food/medicine go gently with all herbs and start with weak doses when taking internally.