© Meneerke bloem · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Malva sylvestris
Wilde Malve · (Malva sylvestris)
Mallow family (Malvaceae)
Description
Rub a leaf of common mallow between your fingers and its mucilaginous, coating texture is immediately obvious — these acidic polysaccharides, making up as much as twelve percent of the flowers and leaves, are exactly what make this mallow-family plant valuable for soothing irritation. Taken as tea or gargle, the mucilage coats irritated mouth and throat membranes with a protective film, easing dry tickly cough and a scratchy throat. It is also traditionally valued for a mildly irritated stomach and gut, thanks to the same coating effect. To keep the delicate mucilage intact, the infusion should always be prepared cold or at most lukewarm, since hot water breaks it down. One practical note: mucilage can delay the absorption of other medicines taken around the same time, so a gap of 30 to 60 minutes is advisable. Mallow is meant only for mild, short-term complaints — if breathlessness, fever, or symptoms lasting more than one to two weeks occur, medical advice should be sought.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Per EMA, not for children under 12 years — there is insufficient data on safe use in this age group.
Soothes irritation of the mouth and throat mucosa and the associated dry tickly cough by coating the irritated areas with a fine film of mucilage.
Preparation & dosage
COLD INFUSION (important — the mucilage is heat-sensitive): Steep 1–2 g of crushed dried mallow leaves in 150–250 ml of cold water for 1–2 hours, stir occasionally, then strain. Use lukewarm to gargle and rinse the mouth 2–3 times a day. Either swallow sip by sip or spit out. If there is no time for a cold infusion, warm the water to a maximum of 40 °C and do not boil.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Liquid amount
- 150–250 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards — insufficient data for younger children.
Soothing tea for dry cough — the mucilage forms a protective film over the irritated airways of the throat.
Preparation & dosage
COLD INFUSION (recommended): Steep 1–2 g crushed mallow leaves in 150–250 ml cold water for 1–2 hours, strain, briefly warm to drinking temperature (do not boil). Drink one cup 2–3 times a day, total daily amount about 5 g dried leaves. For dry irritating cough, drink slowly in small sips so the mucilage coats the throat.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Liquid amount
- 150–250 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards.
Sources: [1]
Helps with mild stomach and gut discomfort by coating and soothing through the action of the mucilage.
Preparation & dosage
COLD INFUSION: Steep 1–2 g crushed mallow leaves in 150–250 ml cold water for 1–2 hours, strain. Drink one cup 2–3 times a day between meals. The mucilage soothes the irritated stomach and intestinal mucosa.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Liquid amount
- 150–250 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards.
Sources: [1]
Like the leaf tea — soothing for dry cough and scratchy throat. The flowers additionally contain anthocyanin pigments.
Preparation & dosage
COLD INFUSION preferred: Steep 1–2 g dried mallow flowers in 150–250 ml cold water for 1–2 hours, strain. The infusion turns a beautiful bluish-violet from the anthocyanins (malvin) and gradually shifts towards greenish over time — that is normal. Drink 2–3 times a day, total daily amount about 5 g flowers.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Liquid amount
- 150–250 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards.
Sources: [2]
Mouth rinse and gargle for irritation of the mouth and throat mucosa.
Preparation & dosage
COLD INFUSION: Steep 1–2 g dried mallow flowers in 150–250 ml cold water for 1–2 hours, strain. Use lukewarm 2–3 times a day to gargle or rinse the mouth. Do not prepare hot — the mucilage would be destroyed.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Liquid amount
- 150–250 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards.
Sources: [2]
If throat symptoms last longer than 1 week or stomach/gut symptoms longer than 2 weeks, consult a doctor. In case of shortness of breath, fever, or purulent sputum, seek medical advice immediately — mallow is intended only for mild, short-term irritation. Important practical note: Mucilage can delay the absorption of other medicines in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore take other medications 30–60 minutes before or after mallow tea. Always prepare the infusion cold or at most lukewarm — hot water destroys the active mucilage.
⏱ Max continuous use: 2 weeks
EMA notes a lack of reliable data during pregnancy — use is therefore not recommended.
Insufficient data on use during breastfeeding — not recommended per EMA.
Per EMA, not for children under 12 years — there is insufficient data on safe use in this age group.
Drug interactions
Orale Arzneimittel allgemein
The mucilage in mallow can form a film on the gastrointestinal mucosa and thereby delay or reduce the absorption of other medicines taken at the same time. EMA itself does not describe specific interactions, but as a precaution: take other medications 30–60 minutes before or after mallow tea.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to mallow leaves, mallow flowers, or other plants of the Malvaceae family.
- Children under 12 years — not approved due to lack of data.
Harvested part: flowers and leaves
- Time of day:
- On a dry morning once the dew has dried.
- Drying:
- Pick young, healthy leaves before and during the flowering season. Dry in the shade or at maximum 35 °C — higher temperatures destroy the heat-sensitive mucilage.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store airtight and in the dark, ideally use within a year.
- Time of day:
- On sunny mornings once the dew is gone.
- Drying:
- Pick fully opened flowers. Immediately spread out in a single layer on cloths or sieves in the shade and dry quickly — otherwise the flowers discolor from violet to brownish-black. Optimum temperature below 35 °C.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store in dark, airtight jars — the anthocyanin pigments are light-sensitive.
- Schleimstoffe (saure Polysaccharide)MucilageContent: 5–12 %Leaf
Main active compounds. Composed of rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid. Swell in water to form a soothing film on mucous membranes. Heat-sensitive — cold infusion preferred.
- Schleimstoffe (saure Polysaccharide)MucilageContent: ≈ 8 %Flower
As in the leaves — soothing and coating, hence use for throat irritation and dry cough.
- Malvin (Anthocyan)GlycosideFlower
Bluish-violet pigment (malvidin diglucoside). Gives the tea its blue color, which shifts to greenish over time. Antioxidant properties.
- FlavonoideFlavonoidAerial parts
Present in leaves and flowers in small amounts, mildly antioxidant.
- GerbstoffeTanninLeaf
Small amounts — contribute to a slightly astringent effect on mucous membranes.
- [1]MonographEMA/HMPC/749510/2016 — European Union herbal monograph on Malva sylvestris L. and/or Malva neglecta Wallr., folium (Final, 19 March 2019)(accessed: 2026-05-18)
- [2]MonographEMA/HMPC/749511/2016 — European Union herbal monograph on Malva sylvestris L., flos (Final, 19 March 2019)(accessed: 2026-05-18)