Mallow

N.O.Malvaceae

Names

Sweet Weed, Schloss Tea, Mallards, Mauls,Cheeses, Mortification root.

History

Mallow is utterly wholesome in all its properties and was eaten by early Romans as a gourmet dish.
In Job 30:4: there is mention of people eating the plant during famine.

The dish can be made by boiling the plant and then frying it with onions and butter.
French pharmacists and also British confectioners made lozenges or a sweet paste called "paté de guimauve"

Constituents

fluorescent identical with gelseminic acid,30%polysaccharid mucilage comprising glucosan and xylan. lecithin,phtosterol,asparagin,sucrose.

Uses

demulcent, emollient, relief for inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, gastritis, gastric ulcers, poultice for leg (varicose) ulcers,binding powder for pills base, catarrh, bronchitis, cough irritation, peptic ulcers, urinary tract infections, cystitis, poultice for boils, carbuncles,to relieve kidney gravel

Folk remedies

The compound mentioned in A Modern Herbal (circa 1931) is a syrup, made for the benefit of children, but also used along with a decoction in water for kidney "gravel".

The decoction is made by adding 5 pints of water to 1/4 lb. of dried root, boiled until three pints are left.This is supposed to be effective for inflamed urinary tract, alimentary canal, aches in muscles or sinews,and in boiled milk, for hemmhorage from urinary organs and dysentery.

For Kidney Gravel

Flower and plant but not the root is covered with boiling water for three hours.
Take half pint of tea every four hours,adding a teaspoon of gin when there is no inflammation present.(Try this, kids...do you know when you have inflamed kidneys, yet?)

Marsh Mallow Water

Soak 1oz of root in cold water for 1/2 hr., peel bark and cut root into small shavings,then stand for a couple of hours.
Sweeten with orange flower water,honey or orange juice. Good for coughs or catarrh.

Sore Throats

Boil the flowers in oil and water, then gargle. Called "tisane de quatre fleures" in France, used for colds.

Text references:

A Moden Herbal by Mrs M. Grieve, Tiger Books International London
The Natural Pharmacy Miriam Polunin and Christopher Robbins RAINCOAST BOOKS VANCOUVER
, Malcolm Stuart, EDITOR.ORBIS PUBLISHING , LONDON