Black mallow (Malva silvestris) is an annual or biennial plant from the mallow family that originates from the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. The marshmallow plant grows in wet areas, mostly near rivers or on ruins. In our region, black marshmallow is also called mountain marshmallow and turkey grass.
This plant has hairs on its surface that can grow up to one meter in height. The leaves of the marshmallow are dark green and the flowers are pink. The medicinal parts of marshmallow are the leaves and flowers.
You can find out more about the healing properties and uses of this plant, as well as black marshmallow tea, below.
Black marshmallow tea
Black marshmallow tea is an excellent remedy for respiratory problems because it soothes the inflamed mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Also, this tea helps in treating cough and hoarseness. It is necessary to soak the leaves and flowers of black marshmallow in lukewarm water for several hours before use. It is important not to use boiling water to prepare this tea, as this will destroy many of the medicinal properties of this plant. Black marshmallow tea successfully soothes cramps and pains in the stomach and intestines and solves problems with urination. This tea is also recommended for breastfeeding mothers, as it can help with milk production.
As for the actual process of preparing this tea, you need to take one teaspoon of dried black marshmallow and pour 250 ml of cold water over it. Let the tea steep overnight, and in the morning heat it up and drink it. What is important is that the flowers and leaves of the marshmallow are soaked for several hours in cold water before they are made into tea. And remember that marshmallow tea should never be heated to boiling point, as it will lose all its medicinal properties. Also, it is recommended not to add sugar to this tea.
Uses of the plant and medicinal properties
The black marshmallow plant has medicinal properties and has long been used in folk medicine. The flowers and leaves of black mallow contain mucilage, flavonoids, tannins, vitamin C, essential oil and many other medicinal substances. Marshmallow can help treat various health problems. First of all, this plant is a traditional remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough and inflammation of the throat and pharynx. In addition, black mallow is also used to treat inflammation of the mucous membranes in the throat, mouth, intestines and stomach. Black marshmallow tea is good for rinsing the mouth, in case of various infections or mouth sores, and it has been proven to cure malignant diseases of the throat.
Then, this plant can also help in the treatment of gallstones and kidney stones, in the treatment of headaches, constipation, insomnia and toothache. It is also good for regulating digestion. If you regularly consume black marshmallow tea, you will no longer have problems with constipation and gas. Then, marshmallow also has an anti-inflammatory effect, so it is an excellent remedy for wounds, eczema, swelling, acne, ulcers and insect bites. This herb helps to heal open wounds, and the wound must first be washed with black marshmallow tea, and then a plantain leaf should be placed on it.
Hand and foot baths. In addition to tea, marshmallows can also be used to make hand and foot baths. Put black marshmallow in the water and make sure that there is always one teaspoon of this plant per 250 ml of water. Let the black marshmallow soaked in the water stand until the morning, and in the morning heat it so that the water is pleasantly hot. Soak your feet or hands in this bath and keep them in for about 20 minutes.
Coatings. Black marshmallows can also be made into poultices. They are used for dry eyes, skin inflammation, swelling of arms and legs after a fracture, allergies, inflamed veins and inflamed joints, etc. Namely, you need to mix soaked black marshmallow with barley flour and a little water and make porridge out of it. Then, that porridge should be heated and placed on a cotton cloth, which is then pressed to the painful area.
Broth. In the case of ulcers on the stomach and intestines, black marshmallow is used in combination with barley. First of all, you need to cook the barley broth, then when it cools down, you should add marshmallow leaves to it. This broth is also good in the case of bronchitis, when large amounts of secretions accumulate in the lungs.
