Useful properties of mallow: beauty and green healer in one person
Some flowers growing under our windows can be not only beautiful, but also medicinal. For example, the beneficial properties of mallow have been known since ancient times. The plant is especially valued for the mucus that is released if the stem is broken. It serves as a good coating agent, especially for irritated stomachs. This culture is truly universal, because it is even used in cooking.
Malva is also known as mallow or hautma, and its composition of nutrients is almost the same as that of marshmallow... In folk medicine, wood mallow is used.
Useful properties of mallow
Mallow has a rich composition, thanks to which it turns from a simple garden flower into a medicinal plant. In addition to plant mucus, it contains tannins, vitamins and trace elements, mineral salts and essential oil. And the presence of the coloring matter anthocyant allows the use of mallow as a natural dye, including food.
Young mallow leaves are edible. They make very unusual and tasty stuffed cabbage rolls, and they can also be added to salads.
Mallow was not ignored in folk medicine because of its healing properties. This culture:
- liquefies and removes phlegm;
- promotes the healing of any skin damage, both wounds and ulcers;
- strengthens the immune system;
- increases sweating;
- relieves inflammation in the digestive tract, genitourinary system;
- has a laxative effect;
- removes puffiness.
What diseases will mallow help
Mallow tinctures and decoctions have healing powers. Moreover, all parts of the plant are medicinal: leaves, root, flowers and even seeds.
In folk medicine, mallow is used to treat:
- bronchitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis;
- colds;
- pancreatitis and other inflammatory processes in the intestine;
- inflammation of the urinary tract;
- hemorrhoids;
- colitis;
- stomatitis;
- cystitis.
How to prepare raw materials
You can collect leaves and inflorescences throughout the entire flowering period. It is advisable to pick the flowers together with the cup, and you need to be in time until the mallow drops them. The root should be dug up in the fall - by this time it accumulates more nutrients. Plant raw materials need to be dried separately and stored until next season. Dried flowers can be kept for up to 2 years, and mallow does not lose its useful properties during this time.