Mallow, Malva sylvestris

antibacterial properties, Lungwort is beneficial in helping the body rid itself of excess fluids and aids the kidneys and urinary tract in the process. It treats urinary tract infections like cystitis (bladder infection), and helps expel toxins from the body. Stops Bleeding: Taken internally as a powder or tea, lungwort is useful in reducing internal bleeding and excess menstrual bleeding. It can be applied directly to external wounds as a powder or whole leaf to bind a wound and stimulate clotting. Ringworm: A Lungwort Decoction applied several times a day directly onto the skin will help with ringworm. Harvesting: Harvest the flowers and leaves in the spring when the flowers first appear. Cut off the entire stem with leaves and flowers attached and tie them in bunches for hanging and drying. Warning: Be cautious taking Lungwort if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The plant has no known side effects, but caution is always warranted. Lungwort can cause a skin rash in some people. Do not use Lungwort if you experience a rash or any adverse reaction. Recipes. Lungwort Tea: 1 Tablespoon lungwort leaves and flowers, 1 cup boiling water, Raw honey, as desired for sweetness. Pour the boiling water over the leaves and flowers and allow it to steep for 15 minutes. Strain the tea and drink up to three cups daily. Raw honey helps alleviate the bitter flavor for some people. Lungwort Decoction for Wounds: 2 Tablespoons chopped, dried lungwort leaves and 1 cup boiling water. Make a strong tea, infusing the leaves in the boiling water for 20 minutes or until cool. Strain the decoction and use it to wash the skin and affected areas or apply it to a cloth and use as a compress.

Mallow, also called high mallow, wood mallow, tree mallow, or cheeseweed, is a spreading herb that can be biennial. It is native to Europe and Asia but is naturalized throughout most of North America. This is a different plant than Marshmallow, also in this book. It is in the Malvaceae (Mallow) Family and looks similar to Hibiscus. Identification: This plant grows from 3 to 10 feet (3m) high. Its branches are bare or covered with fine soft hairs. They have palmately lobed leaves that are dark green in color with long petioles. Leaves are 1 ½ to 2 inches (3.5 cm to 5 cm) across and are creased with 3 to 9 shallow lobes. Leaves on the stem are alternate. The leaves have a course feel but release mucilage when crushed. Purple-pink flowers bloom between May and August. Flowers grow in axillary clusters of 2 to 4 and form along the main stem. They are about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter with 5 dark, veined, notched petals. Flowers at the base of the stem open first. The fruit looks like compressed disks or a cheese wheel, leading to the nickname “cheese flower.” Ripe seeds are about ¼ inch (0.625 cm) in diameter and are brownish-green to brown in color. Edible Use: All parts are edible raw or cooked and are mucilagenous. Leaves cook up much like okra. Cooked mallow roots can be beaten and used like egg whites in a meringue.

Medicinal Use: Mallow roots, leaves, seeds, and flowers are all used medicinally. The mucilage is very soothing and it is a good anti-inflammatory.