Malva sylvestris, commonly known as the common mallow, is a flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia but has also spread to other parts of the world. This perennial herb is valued for its attractive pink to purple flowers and its medicinal properties.

Botanical Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Malvales
• Family: Malvaceae
• Genus: Malva
• Species: Malva sylvestris

Plant Characteristics

Malva sylvestris grows up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height. It features rounded, lobed leaves with a soft texture and produces large, showy flowers with five petals. The plant bears fruit in the form of a round, flattened capsule containing numerous small seeds. It is often found in gardens, meadows, and along roadsides.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The plant contains various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, mucilage, and anthocyanins. Key components are:

Flavonoids: Such as quercetin and kaempferol, which have antioxidant properties.

Mucilage: Polysaccharides that have soothing effects on mucous membranes.

Anthocyanins: Responsible for the plant’s vibrant color and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Cultivate It

Malva sylvestris thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is relatively hardy and can tolerate drought once established. Seeds should be sown directly in the garden after the last frost or started indoors and transplanted. Regular watering is necessary, especially in dry periods. The plant is low-maintenance and can self-seed, spreading easily in suitable conditions.

Uses and Benefits

• Medical: The mucilage in Malva sylvestris is used for its soothing effects on the digestive and respiratory tracts. It has been traditionally used to treat coughs, sore throats, and digestive discomforts. It is also used in poultices for its emollient and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Cosmetics: Extracts of Malva sylvestris are used in skincare products for their soothing and hydrating properties. They are included in formulations aimed at calming irritated skin and providing moisture.

• Others: The plant has been used in traditional cuisines, particularly in salads and soups, due to its edible leaves and flowers.

Applications

• Medical: Herbal remedies and supplements for soothing coughs, throat irritations, and digestive issues. Used in topical applications for skin inflammation and irritation.

• Cosmetics: Emollient and hydrating agent in skincare products, including creams, lotions, and face masks.

• Others: Culinary applications in some cultures, as well as ornamental use in gardens due to its attractive flowers.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Malva sylvestris is generally safe and non-toxic, but as with any plant, it should be used with caution, particularly in medicinal applications, to avoid potential allergic reactions or interactions with other treatments. It is also considered a beneficial plant for attracting pollinators and enhancing biodiversity in gardens.

Studies

Due to its wide use and medicinal importance, many studies have been carried out; however, the information in the literature is many and very scattered, making it difficult to use (1).

In Mallow there are powerful antioxidants (phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and tocopherols), unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. alpha-linolenic acid) (2), and 143 volatile compounds have been catalogued including Hexadecanoic acid, Linalool, Limonene, Menthol, Eugenol, Tocopherol (3), Scopoletin, Chloroform, Malvidin.

The aim of this study was to study the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Malva sylvestris extract and fractions in a co-culture model of cells infected with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The chloroform fraction was the most effective in reducing bacterial colonization. Mallow sylvestris and its chloroform fraction minimized Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans infection and inflammation processes in oral human cells (4).

The leaves have topical anti-inflammatory activity, the compound 3-glucoside malvidin seems to be primarily responsible for this effect, with the participation of other anti-inflammatory compounds in the extract, such as Scopolamin and Malvidin and therefore mallow can be used as a future treatment for skin disorders (5).

This study confirms the cardioprotective effects of MS in reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response in this study confirms the cardioprotective effects of Malva sylvestris L. in reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response in ischemia/reperfusion rats (6).

Cosmetics

Mallow extract is derived from flowers and leaves and contains flavonoids, tannins and mucilage which have a moisturising and emollient effect and a soothing effect on dry skin.

Mallow studies

References_______________________________________________________________

(1) Gasparetto JC, Martins CA, Hayashi SS, Otuky MF, Pontarolo R. Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L.: a millennial herbal medicine. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012. February; 64(2):172–89. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01383.x

(2) Barros L, Carvalho AM, Ferreira IC. Leaves, flowers, immature fruits and leafy flowered stems of Malva sylvestris: a comparative study of the nutraceutical potential and composition. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010. June; 48(6):1466–72. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.03.012

(3) Gasparetto JC, Martins CA, Hayashi SS, Otuky MF, Pontarolo R. Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L.: a millennial herbal medicine. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012 Feb;64(2):172-89. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01383.x. Epub 2011 Nov 4. PMID: 22221093.

Buenz EJ, Schnepple DJ, Bauer BA, Elkin PL, Riddle JM, Motley TJ. Techniques: Bioprospecting historical herbal texts by hunting for new leads in old tomes. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2004 Sep;25(9):494-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2004.07.003. PMID: 15559252.

Abstract. Ethnobotany has led to the identification of novel pharmacological agents but many challenges to using ethnobotany as a research tool remain. In particular, the loss of traditional knowledge together with the advent of high-throughput screening has made ethnobotanical techniques laborious and potentially unnecessary. However, historical herbal texts provide a preexisting resource that documents the traditional uses of various species as medicines. As generational losses of traditional knowledge accrue, these herbal texts become increasingly valuable. The methodology for extracting useful information contained within these resources had been cumbersome and consuming. However, the application of new bioinformatics data-mining systems to herbal texts holds great promise for identifying novel pharmacotherapeutic leads for bioactive compounds.

(4) Benso B, Rosalen PL, Alencar SM, Murata RM. Malva sylvestris Inhibits Inflammatory Response in Oral Human Cells. An In Vitro Infection Model. PLoS One. 2015 Oct 19;10(10):e0140331. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140331. 

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Malva sylvestris extract (MSE) and fractions in a co-culture model of cells infected by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. In addition, we evaluated the phytochemical content in the extract and fractions of M. sylvestris and demonstrated that polyphenols were the most frequent group in all samples studied. An in vitro dual-chamber model to mimic the periodontal structure was developed using a monolayer of epithelial keratinocytes (OBA-9) and a subepithelial layer of fibroblasts (HGF-1). The invasive periodontopathogen A. actinomycetemcomitans (D7S-1) was applied to migrate through the cell layers and induce the synthesis of immune factors and cytokines in the host cells. In an attempt to analyze the antimicrobial properties of MSE and fractions, a susceptibility test was carried out. The extract (MIC 175 μg/mL, MBC 500μg/mL) and chloroform fraction (MIC 150 μg/mL, MBC 250 μg/mL) were found to have inhibitory activity. The extract and all fractions were assessed using a cytotoxicity test and results showed that concentrations under 100 μg/mL did not significantly reduce cell viability compared to the control group (p > 0.05, viability > 90%). In order to analyze the inflammatory response, transcriptional factors and cytokines were quantified in the supernatant released from the cells. The chloroform fraction was the most effective in reducing the bacterial colonization (p< 0.05) and controlling inflammatory mediators, and promoted the down-regulation of genes including IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, CD14, PTGS, MMP-1 and FOS as well as the reduction of the IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF protein levels (p< 0.05). Malva sylvestris and its chloroform fraction minimized the A. actinomycetemcomitans infection and inflammation processes in oral human cells by a putative pathway that involves important cytokines and receptors. Therefore, this natural product may be considered as a successful dual anti-inflammatory-antimicrobial candidate.

(5) Prudente AS, Loddi AM, Duarte MR, Santos AR, Pochapski MT, Pizzolatti MG, Hayashi SS, Campos FR, Pontarolo R, Santos FA, Cabrini DA, Otuki MF. Pre-clinical anti-inflammatory aspects of a cuisine and medicinal millennial herb: Malva sylvestris L. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Aug;58:324-31. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.042. 

Martins CAF, Campos ML, Irioda AC, Stremel DP, Trindade ACLB, Pontarolo R. Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Malva sylvestris, Sida cordifolia, and Pelargonium graveolens Is Related to Inhibition of Prostanoid Production. Molecules. 2017 Nov 3;22(11):1883. doi: 10.3390/molecules22111883. 

Abstract. The ability of plant extracts and preparations to reduce inflammation has been proven by different means in experimental models. Since inflammation enhances the release of specific mediators, inhibition of their production can be used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of plants widely used in folk medicine for this purpose. The study was performed for leaves and flowers of Malva sylvestris, and leaves of Sida cordifolia and Pelargonium graveolens. These are three plant species known in Brazil as Malva. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and residual) was evaluated by quantitation of prostaglandins (PG) PGE₂, PGD₂, PGF2α, and thromboxane B₂ (the stable nonenzymatic product of TXA₂) concentration in the supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced RAW 264.7 cells. Inhibition of anti-inflammatory mediator release was observed for plants mainly in the crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and residual fraction. The results suggest superior activity of S. cordifolia, leading to significantly lower values of all mediators after treatment with its residual fraction, even at the lower concentration tested (10 μg/mL). M. sylvestris and P. graveolens showed similar results, such as the reduction of all mediators after treatment, with leaf crude extracts (50 μg/mL). These results suggest that the three species known as Malva have anti-inflammatory properties, S. cordifolia being the most potent.

(6) Zuo H, Li Y, Cui Y, An Y. Cardioprotective effect of Malva sylvestris L. in myocardial ischemic/reprefused rats. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Nov;95:679-684. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.111.