Foraging Gozo. Mallow

Did you know that Mallow is found growing wild on Gozo and among other things, makes a great herbal tea?

Author of, Weeds For Health On Gozo, Heléna Szöllősy shares everything you need to know about the wild plants that make up Gozo’s unique and diverse flora. Enjoy learning about the healing benefits and many usages of Mallow which grows on Gozo from February to May.

Botanical Name:  Malva sylvestris - L.
Synonyms: Malva hirsuta, Althaea godronii, Althaea mauritiana, Malva ambigua, Malva erecta, Malva mauritiana
Family Name: Malvaceae
Maltese Name: Ħobbejża tar-raba
Common Names: Blue mallow, Common Mallow, Mallow, High mallow, French Hollyhock, Common Mallow, Tall Mallow
Meaning of the Name: Malva, from the Greek word malache, meaning ’mallow’ and malakos, ’soft, gentle’, referring to the abundant mucilage in certain species, which softens the skin,
sylvestris, from Latin, pertains to woods, growing wild.

DESCRIPTION

Common mallow is a spreading herb that is an annual in North Africa, biennial in the Mediterranean, and a perennial elsewhere. Grows to three feet (one meter) tall. Its stem is round, thick, and strong, the leaves stalked, roundish, five to seven-lobed, downy, with stellate hairs and the veins prominent on the underside. The flowers are showy, bright mauve purple, with dark veins. On Gozo, it flowers from February to May.

• Habitats: Waste ground, field verges and roadsides, avoiding acid soils.
• Range: Widespread throughout the temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
• Status for Malta: Indigenous. Originating from Maltese islands. Common in the wild.
• Parts Used: flowers, leaves, seed.
• Herbal Actions: Antiphlogistic, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Laxative,
• Main Active Constituents: betaine, beta-carotene, coumarins, calcium, flavonoids, malvin, malonylmalvin, malvone A, naphtoquinone, polysaccarides, phytoalaxin, vitamin B-complex

INTERNAL USES:

1. The leaves and flowers can be eaten as part of the diet, or tea can be made from the leaves, flowers, or roots.
2. They can be taken internally in the treatment of respiratory system diseases and problems with the digestive tract Malva sylvestris is used traditionally as a herbal remedy for asthma, bronchitis, coughing, throat infections and emphysema. When combined with eucalyptus it makes a good remedy for coughs and other chest ailments. A therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Malva sylvestris for cough, bronchitis, and inflammation of the mouth and pharynx.
3. The plant is an excellent laxative for young children.
4. Other uses of this herb in traditional herbal medicine include the treatment of gallstones, kidney stones, kidney inflammation, headache, constipation, gastritis, toothaches, and insomnia. Tea made from the herb is said to help nursing mothers to produce more milk.

EXTERNAL USES:

1. Due to the astringent, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant it can be useful externally as a herbal treatment for wounds, boils, skin rashes, pimples, eczema, acne, and swellings.
2. The leaves and flowers are the main part used, their demulcent properties making them valuable as a poultice for bruises, inflammations, insect bites etc,

EDIBLE USES:

1. Flowers – raw. Added to salads or used as a garnish. A pleasant mild flavour, with a similar texture to the leaves, makes a pleasant and pretty addition to the salad bowl.
2. Leaves – raw or cooked. Mucilaginous with a mildly pleasant flavour, they are nice in soups where they act as a thickener. The young leaves also make a very acceptable substitute for lettuce in a salad. The dry leaves are a tea substitute.
3. Immature seed – raw. Used as a nibble, the seeds have a nice nutty flavour but are too fiddly for most people to want to gather in quantity.

OTHER USES

1. Cream, yellow, and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.
2. A tincture of the flowers forms a very delicate test for alkalis.
3. The leaves are used to relieve insect bites and stings.
4. A fibre obtained from the stems is useful for cordage, textiles and paper making.
5. A tincture of the flowers forms a very delicate test for alkalis.
6. The leaves are used to relieve insect bites and stings.
7. A fibre obtained from the stems is useful for cordage, textiles and paper making.

PRECAUTIONS: If it causes minor discomforts such as stomach upset or diarrhoea, use less or stop using it. The absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed.

Make This! Marshmallow, Ginger, and Pumpkin Soup

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 tablespoon butter
2. 3-4 whole marshmallow plants, chopped.
3. 1 tablespoon chopped ginger root.
4. 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
5. 4-6 cups of baked pumpkin.
6. ¹/₂ cup milk

Preparation

1. Melt the butter and sauté the marshmallow and ginger until tender.
2. Transfer to a large cooking pot and add the vegetable broth and simmer gently for about 5 minutes, until the marshmallow and ginger are softened.
3. In the blender puree until smooth. Serve.

Want to learn what else you can forage on Gozo? Click here.

Author : Heléna Szöllősy. Editor: GITH

Helena is an expert on the medicinal properties of plants having trained in Herbal Medicine and Naturopathy, specialising in Phytotherapy including Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Apitherapy and Bach Flower Therapy.

Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs is provided in this book for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace professional medical care. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your healthcare practitioner before self-administering herbs. Please also undertake your own research when foraging. Some wild plants are endangered and are protected by law.

Author: GITH