Mallow: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Common mallow
Scientific name(s)
Malvae flos, Malva sylvestris
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Anthocyanins
Mucilages
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Cough, Pharyngitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Mallow is traditionally used to soothe coughs due to its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties. This use is also supported by recent clinical research. A study involving children aged 3 to 6 years suffering from acute cough examined the effects of a specific syrup (KalobaTUSS from Schwabe Pharma Italia Srl), composed of acacia honey and extracts of mallow, inula, plantain, and helichrysum. Administered at 5 mL four times a day for 8 days, this syrup significantly and sustainably reduced daytime and nighttime cough scores compared to a placebo. According to the ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), mallow is indicated for relieving dry coughs and irritations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.
Posologie
Oral: flower
5 mL
syrup
Synergies
Phytotherapy Advice, Guide for the Prescriber. Paul Goetz Francis, Hadji-Minaglou, Lavoisier, ISBN: 978-2-7430-2414-7.
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Constipation ✪✪✪✪✪
Mallow is also valued for its action against constipation, an application supported by long traditional use and preliminary clinical studies. A study evaluated the impact of a syrup containing 0.5 g of aqueous mallow flower extract, taken twice a day after breakfast and lunch for four weeks. The results show an increase in bowel movement frequency and a reduction in hard stools in patients with functional constipation compared to a placebo. These effects highlight mallow's potential as a natural treatment to improve intestinal transit.
Posologie
Oral: flower
1 g
fluid extract
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
Mallow is traditionally recognized for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly effective in treating skin conditions like eczema. A preliminary study on children (average age 13 months) suffering from eczema examined the efficacy of a cream containing 5% mallow flower extract, applied to affected palm-sized skin twice daily for four weeks. The results showed significant improvements in eczema symptoms, including skin thickness, redness, and overall symptoms, compared to a placebo cream. These results confirm the traditional use of mallow as a natural remedy to soothe and repair inflamed skin.
Posologie
Oral: flower
1.5 - 2 g
fluid extract
Efficacy of Short Term Topical Malva Sylvestris L. Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Gastritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Mallow is recognized for its therapeutic virtues in treating digestive system inflammations, such as gastritis. According to ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), mallow is indicated for relieving oral, pharyngeal, and gastric mucous membrane irritations. These properties are due to the presence of mucilages in the plant, which form a protective film on irritated or inflamed mucous membranes, thus reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Used as an adjuvant, mallow provides gentle and effective relief, making it an interesting option in the treatment of inflammatory digestive disorders.
Posologie
Cutaneous: flower
5 %
fluid extract, cream
Properties
Digestive effect
Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is noted for its significant benefits on digestive health. Its active components, notably mucilages, provide preventive relief in cases of ulcerative colitis, reducing inflammation before it becomes severe. In animal model studies, the extract of this plant at a dose of 500 mg/kg proved as effective as conventional treatments such as cimetidine in combating gastric ulcers. Moreover, the daily consumption of a syrup prepared from the aqueous extract of mallow flowers, taken at 1 g per day, normalized intestinal transit. This treatment facilitates bowel movements and reduces constipation, acting as a mild laxative that also protects and soothes mucous membranes.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Mallow leaves are known for their powerful antioxidant activity, capturing free radicals and protecting against lipid peroxidation. This ability to neutralize free radicals is demonstrated at concentrations as low as 0.09 mg/mL. The natural pigments present in mallow also contribute to this protective action. Additionally, polysaccharides extracted from mallow leaves have a remarkable ability to negate the destructive activity of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, highlighting their potential role in reducing inflammation and pain. These antioxidant properties have been observed both in preliminary animal studies and in vitro.
Nephroprotective
Mallow decoction offers notable protection against renal lesions by reducing the effects of ammonium metavanadate, a renal toxic compound. This protection is primarily due to the antioxidant capacity of mallow's phenolic components, which combat lipid peroxidation and renal histopathological damage. Research on animal models reveals that mallow flower extract improves renal function and mitigates renal injury induced by gentamicin, a known nephrotoxin. These beneficial effects are attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of mallow.
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 years: 1.5 g - 5 g (infusion)
Internal use: adult dose: 1.5-2 g of flowers in the form of a cold aqueous macerate or hot infusion, repeated if necessary up to a daily dose equivalent to 5 g. External use: as a gargle, a 5% decoction.
Child from 3 years:
A syrup and cream containing mallow extracts have been administered to children in clinical studies. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to determine dosages according to the child's age.
