"Malva parviflora small" by Forest & Kim Starr. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malva_parviflora_small.jpg#/media/File:Malva_parviflora_small.jpg
Mallow
Mallow, AKA Cheeseweed, Little Mallow, and Marshmallow (Malva parviflora L.) is a non-native species that grows prolifically across the US, and is one of the most common plants to be found growing in the foothills around Los Angeles, and indeed in almost every yard in the city.
It can be found in lawns, curbside grassy spots, growing along fences, and in open fields. The plant varies in size from small clusters, to large patches nearly two feet (or even three feet in some rare cases) tall. The broad leaves have 5 to 7 lobes and are 8 to 10 cm in diameter. It has small white or pink flowers with 4 to 6 mm long petals.[1]
Uses
As food, all parts of the plant may be consumed. The leaves may be used raw in salad, cooked much as you would any other greens, or stuffed and rolled much like a grape leaf. Pods can be cooked or pickled. The leaves are bland in flavor, and do not have a bitter after taste, as many salad greens do.
As medicine, several California tribes and other groups of people have used mallow as medicine for the following conditions: as a wash for dandruff [2], as a bath for babies with fevers [2], as a poultice for swelling, sores and boils [3], and by the Romans and Europeans as a tea for bronchitis/common cold/sore throat remedy [4]. Two thousand years ago, the Roman scholar Pliny recommended taking a daily sip of mallow juice to prevent illness. [5]
Recipe/Remedy
Toss mallow into a salad, but try mixing it with more flavorful greens or veggies. You may also fill a cup with leaves and steep as a tea for sore throat, bronchitis and cough. I personally love harvesting and using mallow. It's a great way to get anti-inflammatory nutrients for free, and to help harmonize your system with your local environment. Just make sure you can confidently identify mallow before you consume it.
References
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva_parviflora
2 Hedges, Ken 1986 Santa Ysabel Ethnobotany. San Diego Museum of Man Ethnic Technology Notes, No. 20 (p. 24)
3 Barrett, S. A. and E. W. Gifford 1933 Miwok Material Culture. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 2(4):11 (p. 171)
4 Curtin, L. S. M. 1949 By the Prophet of the Earth. Sante Fe. San Vicente Foundation (p. 79)
5 Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing.
Uses
As food, all parts of the plant may be consumed. The leaves may be used raw in salad, cooked much as you would any other greens, or stuffed and rolled much like a grape leaf. Pods can be cooked or pickled. The leaves are bland in flavor, and do not have a bitter after taste, as many salad greens do.
As medicine, several California tribes and other groups of people have used mallow as medicine for the following conditions: as a wash for dandruff [2], as a bath for babies with fevers [2], as a poultice for swelling, sores and boils [3], and by the Romans and Europeans as a tea for bronchitis/common cold/sore throat remedy [4]. Two thousand years ago, the Roman scholar Pliny recommended taking a daily sip of mallow juice to prevent illness. [5]
Recipe/Remedy
Toss mallow into a salad, but try mixing it with more flavorful greens or veggies. You may also fill a cup with leaves and steep as a tea for sore throat, bronchitis and cough. I personally love harvesting and using mallow. It's a great way to get anti-inflammatory nutrients for free, and to help harmonize your system with your local environment. Just make sure you can confidently identify mallow before you consume it.
References
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva_parviflora
2 Hedges, Ken 1986 Santa Ysabel Ethnobotany. San Diego Museum of Man Ethnic Technology Notes, No. 20 (p. 24)
3 Barrett, S. A. and E. W. Gifford 1933 Miwok Material Culture. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 2(4):11 (p. 171)
4 Curtin, L. S. M. 1949 By the Prophet of the Earth. Sante Fe. San Vicente Foundation (p. 79)
5 Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing.
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