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Herb library · Herb · Malva sylvestris

Mallow

Common mallow, a purple-flowered European weed whose slimy flowers and leaves are made into a soothing tea for sore throats and dry coughs. EU regulators accept that use on long tradition. A few small trials of mallow mouthwashes and a skin cream have been published.

Traditional use

Used in traditional Persian medicine for eczema, as the authors of the children's cream trial note. The European Medicines Agency recognizes mallow flower and mallow leaf teas as traditional herbal medicines for irritation of the mouth or throat with a dry cough, and for mild stomach and gut discomfort, for adults and adolescents over 12.

What studies show

  • Insufficient

    Sore throat, dry cough and stomach discomfort: accepted in the EU on traditional use alone; the EMA noted the lack of studies of mallow flower or leaf in patients.

  • Limited

    Mouth: in a triple-blind trial of 70 people with mouth sores from chemotherapy, a mallow mouthwash lowered sore and pain scores more than chlorhexidine by day 7, though not significantly by day 14. In a crossover trial of 44 people, a 5% mallow mouthwash matched chlorhexidine on plaque but did less for gum inflammation.

  • Limited

    Eczema in children: in a double-blind trial of 51 children with atopic dermatitis, a mallow cream improved eczema scores more than a placebo cream over 4 weeks. It is a single small trial.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • NoteNo side effects had been reported when the EMA assessed mallow. See a doctor if mouth or throat irritation lasts more than a week, or stomach discomfort more than two weeks.
  • PregnancyEU guidance: safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, so use then is not recommended.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.

Sources

  1. Mallow flower: summary for the public (EMA/836527/2018) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  2. Mallow leaf: summary for the public (EMA/834778/2018) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  3. The effect of Malva sylvestris mouthwash on chemotherapy-induced stomatitis and associated pain in patients with cancer: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial (BMC Cancer, 2025) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  4. Comparison of the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of Chlorhexidine and Malva mouthwashes: Randomized crossover clinical trial (J Dent, 2024) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  5. Efficacy of Short Term Topical Malva Sylvestris L. Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial (2021) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  6. Malvae sylvestris flos — herbal medicinal product (EMA) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.