Dried Herb & Tea

Common Mallow

Malva sylvestris L.

B Limited clinical evidence

Common mallow leaves and flowers are traditionally used for throat irritation and mild digestive discomfort; avoid medicinal use in pregnancy and under 12.

DigestionSkin & HairRespiratory, Throat & Mouth
Common mallow – Dried purple flowers, green leaves, and a cup of infused herbal tea

Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim

Pregnancy⚠ Avoid
Breastfeeding⚠ Avoid
Children⚠ Avoid
Drug interactionsNo recorded interactions
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At a glance

Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) has mucilage-rich leaves and pink-purple flowers. The EMA recognises traditional use of dried leaves and flowers for dry cough linked to mouth or throat irritation and for mild digestive discomfort. Robust clinical evidence for these tea uses is lacking.

Parts used: leaves, flowers
Key constituents: Mucilage (polysaccharides), Anthocyanins (especially in flowers), Flavonoids

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources include an EMA HMPC monograph. Its scope is limited to the specified species, plant part and preparation; this is not professional approval.

What is it used for?

  • T Traditional use

    Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Infusions of dried mallow leaves or flowers are traditionally used to soothe mouth and throat irritation with an associated dry cough. Strong evidence from patient trials is lacking. [1][2]

  • T Traditional use

    Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Tea made from dried mallow leaves or flowers is traditionally used as a soothing preparation for mild gastrointestinal discomfort. The EMA classification is based on longstanding use, not established clinical efficacy. [1][2]

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    In a small placebo-controlled trial involving 51 children, a specific mallow-extract cream improved some measures of atopic dermatitis severity over four weeks. Results cannot be extrapolated to homemade tea, leaf poultices or other creams. [4]

How is it used?

Tea

DRIED LEAF: The EMA describes an infusion of comminuted leaves with boiling water or a decoction prepared in water, taken orally by people aged 12 years or older.

Amount: 1.8 g dried leaves / 150 mL water, 3 times daily (5.4 g/day)

[1]

Tea

DRIED FLOWER: The EMA flower monograph describes an infusion or decoction of comminuted flowers. Leaf and flower amounts are not interchangeable.

Amount: 1–2 g dried flowers / 250 mL water, 2–3 times daily (average 5 g/day)

[2]

Gargle

According to the EMA leaf monograph, a prepared infusion or decoction may be used as an oromucosal rinse or gargle for irritation of the mouth and throat.

Amount: 1.8 g dried leaves / 150 mL water, 3 times daily

[1]

Topical

In a clinical trial, a particular mallow-extract cream was applied twice daily to a limited skin area for four weeks in children. This describes the study protocol, not instructions for making a cream at home from dried herbs.

Duration limit: Four weeks in the clinical trial

[4]

Safety & interactions

Minimum age: 12 years

  • Medicinal use of mallow leaves or flowers is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because the EMA considers the safety data insufficient.
  • EMA tea and oromucosal preparations are not recommended for children under 12. A paediatric cream study does not establish safety of drinking mallow tea in this age group.
  • Do not use if you are hypersensitive to mallow or another component of the preparation.
  • Consult a clinician if mouth or throat irritation or dry cough persists beyond one week, or mild digestive symptoms beyond two weeks.
  • Seek medical advice for shortness of breath, fever, purulent sputum or worsening symptoms.
  • Do not use wild-harvested material of uncertain identity or gathered from contaminated places for medicinal purposes.
  • The EMA leaf monograph reports no known drug interactions, but this does not rule out all possible interactions.
  • Homemade mixtures should not be used on serious skin problems or open and surgical wounds without professional advice.
[1][2][3]

Drug interactions

No recorded interactions

Side effects

  • The EMA assessment reported no known adverse effects for dried leaf and flower preparations at the time; this does not establish zero risk.
  • Hypersensitivity is a contraindication; stop use and obtain advice if an unusual reaction occurs.

⚕ When to see a doctor

  • If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
  • If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
  • If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

Did you know?

The EMA leaf monograph covers Malva sylvestris and Malva neglecta, whereas the flower monograph covers only Malva sylvestris. Anthocyanin pigments contribute to its purple flower colour. [2][1][5][3]

Frequently asked questions

What is common mallow used for?

The EMA recognises traditional use of dried mallow leaves and flowers for dry cough associated with throat irritation and for mild digestive complaints. These uses are not backed by robust clinical trials.

How do I prepare mallow tea?

The EMA leaf amount is 1.8 g per 150 mL, three times daily; the flower amount is 1–2 g per 250 mL, two to three times daily. These amounts apply from age 12 and differ by plant part.

Does mallow help with cough?

Mucilage-containing preparations have a history of use for irritation-related dry cough. Consult a clinician if symptoms persist for over a week or worsen.

Is mallow tea safe in pregnancy?

The EMA does not recommend medicinal use in pregnancy or breastfeeding because adequate safety data are unavailable.

Can children drink mallow tea?

EMA herbal tea preparations are not recommended below age 12. Findings from a specific cream trial in children cannot be transferred to oral use.

Does mallow help with eczema?

A small trial in 51 children found improvements with a specially formulated mallow-extract cream. The findings do not establish that mallow tea or homemade creams have the same effect.

Is mallow the same as marshmallow root?

No. Common mallow is Malva sylvestris, whereas true marshmallow is Althaea officinalis. Both belong to Malvaceae but have distinct medicinal plant monographs.

Does mallow interact with medicines?

The EMA leaf monograph reports no known interactions, although evidence is limited. Ask a pharmacist if you take regular medicines.

Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

  1. European Union herbal monograph on Malva sylvestris L. and/or Malva neglecta Wallr., foliumEMA HMPC · 2019 · MonographSource accessed:
  2. European Union herbal monograph on Malva sylvestris L., flosEMA HMPC · 2019 · MonographSource accessed:
  3. Malva sylvestris L. | Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew · 2026 · Reference bookSource accessed:
  4. Efficacy of Short Term Topical Malva Sylvestris L. Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialEndocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets · 2021 · Randomized controlled trialSource accessed:
  5. Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L.: a millennial herbal medicineJournal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology · 2012 · ReviewSource accessed:

Cite This Page

Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris L.). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/common-mallow/

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