Blue Sailor
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="https://pixabay.com/en/mallow-flower-blossom-bloom-plant-1545298/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://pixabay.com/en/mallow-flower-blossom-bloom-plant-1545298/</a>
Mallow, sometimes called common mallow or marsh mallow, is a plant in the same family as hibiscus, hollyhocks, rose of Sharon, okra, jute, and cotton. The botanical name of the plant is Althea officinalis. “Althea” comes from a Greek word that means “to heal.”
Mallow’s best known medicinal property is demulcent, meaning is soothes inflammation and irritation. It is also emollient, meaning it softens the skin. These properties are owing to the mucilage mallow produces. If you are familiar with okra, you will know what mucilage is!
According to Mountain Rose Herbs, mallow is also a diuretic and an expectorant. For this reason, and because of its soothing properties, you will see it in herbal remedies for cough & cold, and for complaints of the urinary tract.
I’ve only seen common mallow, a weed that grows all over my property. It has only small flowers, but the plant is still edible and has some of the same characteristics. It’s also called cheeseweed.
Do you mean Malva neglecta? I believe they are in the same family – so they are like cousins.
I don’t remember the scientific name. It’s the only kind I’ve ever seen here and it grows wild.
Very interesting post!
Thank you for saying so, Ellie!
Looks like a hibiscus bloom. Very interesting!
That’s because hibiscus and mallow are in the same family. Think of them like plant cousins 🙂
I did not know that, thanks for the lesson!
If you like hollyhocks, they are also related 🙂