Common Mallow - Identification, Uses, and Making a Cold Infusion!

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Mallow, Common Mallow, Cheeseweed - Malva neglecta
Mallow is an introduced plant from Europe which can now be found throughout most of North America. It is edible and also medicinal uses. Its medicinal uses are related to its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties which make it useful for things like irritated gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and lungs. It also can help to moisten and soothe mucous membranes, so it can help to relieve nose bleeds, cough, and sore throats. Mallow is anti-inflammatory and its demulcent properties help it to sooth irritated mucous membranes.
Identification and Distribution of Mallow
You can find mallow in disturbed sites, fields, roadsides, and gardens. It can be found throughout almost all of North America.
Mallow leaves are round to kidney shaped with scalloped edges. The leaves are also palmate shaped. The flowers of mallow are white to pinkish colour and often have darker pink or purple lines.
Mallow seed pods or fruits are disc-shaped and look like cheese wheels. This is the reason behind one of the common names for mallow, cheeseweed.
Mallow Is Edible
The leaves, shoots, flowers, flower buds, and fruits/seedpods of mallow are all edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Most parts of mallow contain mucilage. This makes it work as a thickening agent when added to things like soups and stews.
Mallow Has Medicinal Uses
Mallow is demulcent, so it can be used to help sooth irritated mucous membranes. It is useful for moistening internal systems of the body and reducing inflammation.
Some uses for mallow include using it to treat things like nose bleeds, itchy skin, dry lips, sore throat, dry cough, and constipation. Mallow is also used to reduce inflammation so it can help to relieve irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and lungs. Some sources say mallow has a laxative effect. Mallow can also be used externally on things like bug bites, burns, stings, and weeping infected wounds.
Please consume wild plants at your own risk! Consult multiple reliable sources before consuming any wild plants! This video is for information and entertainment only!
References
Kallas, John. Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate. Gibbs Smith. 2010.
Kloos, Scott. Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants. Timber Press, Inc. 2017
MacKinnon, A. Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine Media Productions (BC) Ltd. 2014.
Wiles, Briana. Mountain States Medicinal Plants. Timber Press Inc. 2018.

[@corabellerowland3182]

I was today years old when i realized ive been mowing my mallow 😮. I am so blessed to have this growing on my property and will never mow it again❤

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Nice! I save some, too. It can get out of hand though. Thanks!

[@sarenab7856]

I made Greek dolmades using the mallow leaves from my back yard in place of grape leaves. They turned out amazing and it was the first time I’ve ever made my own dolmades. The mallows got so big in my yard last year, and in addition to using for food/medicine, they also make great shade/a cool bed for my cats when they’re with me in the garden in summer

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Nice! That sounds good.

[@LoraCreates]

Did you brine the leaves first or just stuff, wrap and steam?

[@sarenab7856]

@@LoraCreates I blanched them first

[@kimikujawa1204]

Capsella Bursapastoris (aka witches pouch or shepherd's purse) works AWESOME to stop nosebleeds so I bet the two together would be a power house!! We use mallow for lots of stuff but I never thought of it as a deterrent for the nosebleeds. Thanks!! We use the root a LOT in tea for sore throats. We also make tea from the leaves, stems (these have tons of mucilage), and flowers. We also sauté the leaves with mushrooms &onions then eat over rice, of course munch the wheels, and make soup with the leaves (potatoes, onion, mallow, broth, and filaree (another plant considered a weed)if in season or Parsley/Cilantro depending on what's available. Great vid! Thanks!! I feel like whatever one needs in any given season is given to them freely if only they look!! Earth is Generous beyond what we deserve❤

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you! Great information! I often think it's interesting the plants we find growing near us are the ones we need.

[@serdalkaptan]

Thank you very much for this documentary quality video! You give us all the info we need about the common mallow plant. I saw one in a park today, and recognized it immediately after seeing your video. I hope your boys feel better now. Regards from ON.

[@kleineroteHex]

I think the roots can be coocked when making broth, adds that mucelagenous stuff.

[@PreppingWithSarge]

Really great info! And not a plant I have worked much with, thank you!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you! I think it's a good one!

[@user-nm4yv6jb2i]

Great info!! I've been getting ready to pick my mallow and came out this morning to find that the deer got in the backyard and ate a bunch of it. 😭

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you! Those deer can really devastate crops. Hopefully it comes back!

[@cigileyAtTR]

Captivating video, Malva neglecta(mallow) is my favorite plant. Lettuce upsets my stomach and I eat this plant instead.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you! That's high praise from somebody who thinks highly of this plant! I appreciate it!

[@grovermartin6874]

I have been told by an allergist that lettuce is in the same family as ragweed.

[@inyellowhouses]

Our malva took over our garden this year so I’m hoping to find some medicinal uses! Thx!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Hopefully you found some! Thank you, too!

[@lynbsker1968]

Enjoyed this! Its july here in the cariboo and i have a massive mallow i let grow in the herb bed. I cut it back to try 😂 and keep it under control and will dry the leaves and eat some seed pods. Flowers are small and not opening up much, must be the colder nights. Was thinking i could harvest the root later in the fall. Hoping my sons cold will get better with the water infusion im concocting for him. 😊 thanks

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Awesome! Thank you, too! I hope he feels better soon!

[@karenklucas923]

Ive been harvesting my acres.. found lots of yummies..

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Nice! Have good foraging!

[@angeaudedieu]

Appreciate the information! We had some three lobe false mallow with yellow flowers pop up on our farm- wondering if it would have same effect? Thanks

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I'm not sure about that other plant. I think you'd have to look up details about that specific plant to be sure. Sorry!

[@glynthomas7213]

I was just watching your latest video on making Pondarosa pine tea , ( 2022) can see snow on the ground. As you say you made this second video due to the controversy around many saying not to use Pondarossa needles due to its toxicity. Got to the part where you were in the kitchen cutting the needles when the video came to an abrupt end . It was was strange as I couldn’t go back and see the video and it doesn’t appear on your site . What’s funny I had been thinking recently about your old video and going to do more research to see if I could find any more info on making Pondarossa pine tea as I have lots of Pondarossa pine near me . I’m in Peachland, will you be putting that video up again, just wondering what happened, it was just getting to the good bit , you making the tea lol. Thanks for your videos, I would also like to get an elderberry bush for the health benefits of those berries.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I had a problem with the rendering of the video where it didn't fully work. I need to do it again, and I will re-upload. Thank you for noticing and commenting! I hope to get it back up today.

[@glynthomas7213]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager ok , great thanks for the info. Hope it works this time,I can’t wait to make some of the Pondarossa tea. Do you know of any Eastern White Pine growing out here ?

[@TranquilityH]

Thank you. How can it be used for dental abscess please? Any suggestions are welcome please.

[@FeelGreatwithChristie]

If you mash up the mallow the whole plant , add a little filtered water and you should see that gel consistency. Place some mixture on your abscess. Should help with pain and such

[@user-cv2io4mz5r]

Have you found anything that helps hives?

[@emmalee478]

I sure hope that helps with the nose bleeds!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Me too!

[@dallen4482]

Please let us know if it works!! My son also struggles with a dry nose.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

OK! Thank you!

[@kimikujawa1204]

Try capsella bursapastoris (aka witches pouch or shepherd's purse) that's what we use. Instantly stops bleeding.

[@MaryamSidiqah-qx5sh]

We cook & eat this herb🌍👌

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

It's a good one!

[@Pixics]

I remember I used to have nosebleeds as a kid, but not so much as an adult. I don't think we have mallow where I'm from.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I had a lot when I was a kid, too. Thank you!

[@kleineroteHex]

I used to have nosebleeds as a kid as well, got calcium tablets for it. Now I wonder if mallow is high in calcium.

[@khaoulalola6802]

Can we use the roots ?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Yes, the roots could be used for similar purposes as the rest of the plant.

[@shivanikaul8887]

Where can I buy the seeds in United States

[@kleineroteHex]

It's a weed, grows many places, you need to collect some seeds. Not sure if you can propagate them by cutting a stem, worth a try.

[@sueslim7545]

where can I get mallow seeds, can you help please

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Sorry, I don't know. I'm fortunate enough to have had it grow in my yard on its own.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I think if you do a Google search for common mallow - Malva neglecta seeds, you will find some options. I can't speak to how good they might be though.

[@acsatornad]

Can i smoke the dried leaves? Is it safe?

[@kimikujawa1204]

YES!! I smoke a mix of my homegrown mallow, mint, mullein, and lavender with a bit of organic tobaccer! Good stuff!! The mallow is soothing to the lungs.👍

[@kleineroteHex]

​@@kimikujawa1204all dried I presume ?

[@diannerobinson7858]

Leaves are shaped like a flared skirt, ready for the dance!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Good description! Thanks!