The common mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a perennial plant, part of the Malvaceae family, being considered the type species for the genus Malva.
Apart from common mallow, the plant aquired many names: chesses, high mallow or tall mallow. In Romania, it is known as nalba-de-padure or nalba comuna.
Huawei P8 smartphone, f/2,0, S 1/100s, focal length: 27mm, ISO 110
The common mallow is a vigorous plant with beautiful bright purple flowers, often standing one meter high. It freely grows on meadows, hedgerows and fallow fields. The leaves are roundish with three or five to seven or nine lobes. The fruits of this plant are round and cheese wheel shaped hence one of the plant's nicknames: cheeses.
Huawei P8 smartphone, f 2.0, S 1/50s, focal length: 27mm, ISO 110
Even if this plant is often considered a weed, its medicinal properties cannot be denied. Some of the most impressive health benefits of Malva sylvestris includes its ability to speed wound healing, protect against infection, reduce inflammation, reduce signs of aging, improve respiratory health, optimize digestive functions, improve sleep, and treat headaches.
Interesting fact: common mallow is edible...all its parts. I'm pretty sure that you all remember munching the round fruits. Its flowers, leaves or fruits are to be included in green salads.
Traditional herbalism uses mallow as tea, ailment or alcoholic extract. No side effects are known so far.
Sources for this post: almighty Wikipedia, organicsfact.net, sciencedirect.com.
The photos used for this article belong to me and they were taken few days ago. Location: my garden in Iasi, Romania.
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