El Arte de la Naturaleza, El Arte de la Ciencia
Nombre común | mallow, common mallow, blue mallow
Nombre Científico | Malva sylvestris
Parte usada | Flower
Compuestos activos conocidos | malvin, apigenin, delphinidin
Beneficios potenciales en cosméticos | anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial
Nombre del producto | Mallow Flower-APD, Mallow Flower-ANB
Historia de la Planta
Malva sylvestris, commonly known as mallow, common mallow, or blue mallow, is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It is well-known for its distinctive pink or lavender colored flowers with dark purple veining on petals. Young leaves can be used in salads or cooked as vegetables. The leaves and flowers can be used to make herbal teas and infusions. The flowers can also be used as a decorative garnish for salads and desserts. Traditionally, common mallow has been used to alleviate respiratory discomfort such as sore throat and coughs, and to soothe digestive issues such as stomach ulcers. Topically, the poultices or creams of common mallow have been used to soothe skin irritations, including burns, insect bites, and minor wounds.
Phytochemical studies showed that the various parts of mallow contain terpenoids, phenolic derivatives, flavonoids, polysaccharides, mucilages, vitamins, coumarins. Anthocyanins, particularly malvidin 3,5-diglucoside (malvin), are cationic flavonoids found in flowers. Myricetin, apigenin, apigenin chloride, delphinidin, and malvidin chloride are also found in flowers. It was reported that M. sylvestris extracts have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial properties. When clinically tested, M. sylvestris creams were effective to reduce atopic dermatitis and hand eczema symptoms.