Malva, external use

Malva, scientific name Malva sylvestris, also known as common mallow, is a generous and very beneficial plant. It is indeed an ingredient for herbal teas very useful to calm coughs, bronchitis and colds or to soothe inflammations of the digestive tract such as gastritis or even to counteract constipation, as already described in a previous post. In addition to this it can also be used for external applications to treat canker sores, sore throat, itching, pimples, abscesses, gout and rheumatism. Mallow is emollient, helps the regeneration of tissues, is healing, calms irritations and promotes the elimination of toxins, is anti-inflammatory and acts as an excellent cleanser on the skin by removing impurities, fighting acne and also dark spots on the skin. For a purifying and soothing action you can prepare a facial steam with malva, alternatively you can prepare a decoction. Bring to boil a liter of water with a handful of mallow, simmer for a few minutes then filter, let it cool down, soak a gauze and apply in case of burns, itching, wounds, phlebitis, insect bites, acne, skin irritation. You can also use the same decoction to gargle in case of sore throat, mouth ulcers or irritation of the oral cavity or gums. The decoction of mallow is also useful for sitz baths in case of inflammation of the urinary tract such as cystitis.