Mallow

The wild mallow, also known as the large cheese poplar, is a 30 cm - 150 cm tall, perennially green, herbaceous plant from the mallow genus (Malva), within the mallow family (Malvaceae). It has a spindle-shaped, fleshy, deep taproot and pinkish-purple flowers with characteristic longitudinal veins. It is widespread in Europe, from southern and central Europe to the north (central Sweden and southern Norway).

The leaves of wild mallow and common mallow (mallow leaves - Malvae folium) are used phytotherapeutically, as are the flowers of wild mallow (mallow flowers - Malvae sylvestris flos).

Use:

cosmetics:

Malva sylvestris is a parent plant of extracts used in cosmetic formulations:

• Malva sylvestris extract, an extract from the flowers and leaves of mallow
• Malva sylvestris leaf powder, the powdery extract from the leaves of the mallow
  

Naturopathy:

Malva sylvestris is the parent plant of the naturopathically used extracts of mallow leaves:

• Folia Malvae (Malvae folium: DAB6, ÖAB90)
  

Homeopathy: homeopathically, Malva sylvestris is used as a fresh, flowering plant.

Mucilages, tanning agents, flower dyes (anthocyanins) in the flower extracts.

The German trivial name Käsepappel has nothing to do with the poplar, but refers to the cheese loaf-shaped, slimy fruits from which children's porridge (poplar) used to be prepared. Mallow is one of the oldest known vegetable and medicinal plants.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/malve.php
2. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 154-155