Mallow: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It grows wild in fields. The flower and leaf are used as medicine.

Mallow flower contains a mucus-like substance that protects and soothes the throat and mouth.

People use mallow for constipation, mouth and throat irritation, dry cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse mallow with Chinese mallow, marshmallow, or Sida cordifolia. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Mallow overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Mallow flower extract is possibly safe when used for up to 4 weeks. It might cause stomach problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Mallow flower extract is possibly safe when used for up to 4 weeks. It might cause stomach problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion in some people.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mallow is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Mallow cream is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to 4 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if mallow is safe for children when taken by mouth.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Mallow overview.

Dosing

Traditionally, mallow has been used by adults as a tea prepared by steeping dried flowers or dried leaves. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

Wichtl MW. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Ed. N.M. Bisset. Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers, 1994.

Tomoda M, Gonda R, Shimizu N, Yamada H. Plant mucilages. XLII. An anti-complementary mucilage from the leaves of Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana. Chem Pharm Bull 1989;37:3029-32.

Aktas B, Coban S, Basar O, et al. Fulminant liver failure and renal failure related with malva sylvestris. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014;25(4):437.

Ameri A, Heydarirad G, Rezaeizadeh H, Choopani R, Ghobadi A, Gachkar L. Evaluation of Efficacy of an Herbal Compound on Dry Mouth in Patients With Head and Neck Cancers: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2016;21(1):30-3.

Barros L, Carvalho AM, Ferreira IC. Leaves, flowers, immature fruits and leafy flowered stems of Malva sylvestris: a comparative study of the nutraceutical potential and composition. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010;48(6):1466-72.

Elsagh M, Fartookzadeh MR, Kamalinejad M, et al. Efficacy of the Malva sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract for functional constipation: A placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2015;21(2):105-11.

Marouane W, Soussi A, Murat JC, Bezzine S, El Feki A. The protective effect of Malva sylvestris on rat kidney damaged by vanadium. Lipids Health Dis. 2011;10:65.

Mohamadi Yarijani Z, Najafi H, Shackebaei D, Madani SH, Modarresi M, Jassemi SV. Amelioration of renal and hepatic function, oxidative stress, inflammation and histopathologic damages by Malva sylvestris extract in gentamicin induced renal toxicity. Biomed Pharmacother 2019;112:108635.

Carnevali I, La Paglia R, Pauletto L, et al. Efficacy and safety of the syrup "KalobaTUSS®" as a treatment for cough in children: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Pediatr 2021;21(1):29.

Meysami M, Hashempur MH, Kamalinejad M, Emtiazy M. Efficacy of short term topical Malva sylvestris L. cream in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2020 Oct 23. doi: 10.2174/1871530320666201023125411.

Basile AA, Mandelli G, Cendali M, Hufnagel R. The Lubricating Effect of Eye Drops Containing Hyaluronic Acid and Mallow Extract in Patients with Dry Eye Disease-A Pilot Study. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023;59(5):958.

Akhtar MF, Farooq U, Saleem A, Saleem M, Rahman MH, Ashraf GM. Ameliorating Effect of Malva neglecta Wallr on Obesity and Diabetes in Wistar Rats: A Mechanistic Study. Biomed Res Int 2022;2022:2614599.

Mohaghegh Z, Golfakhrabadi F, Faal Siahkal S, et al. The Effect of Malva Sylvestris Cream on Episiotomy Pain and Healing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery 2022;10(4):248-258.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.