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Common mallow is the bane of some gardener’s existence, myself included.  It seems whenever I dig a plant up, 25 reappear overnight.  They don’t call it Malva neglecta for nothing.  That name cracks me up because it literally thrives on abuse and neglect.  Run it over with a tractor and it’ll spread and THRIVE. 

Common mallow is also an edible weed.  The leaves are edible and can be used as spinach.  Mallow is a mucilage and has much of the same nutritional benefits as okra.  The roots are also edible, and if big enough, can be cooked like potatoes albeit they do NOT taste like potatoes.  

Common Mallow Uses

• Food (leaves, roots)
• Skin toning and softening (leaves, flowers)
• Digestive & Liver Support (roots)
• Egg white substitute (roots)
• Anthelmintic
• Laxative effect

How to Identify Common Mallow

There are tons of different types of mallow in the mallow family, and really all of them have the same benefits, they just look different.  Mallow malva grows a bit taller than the Mallow neglecta I also have, and gets these big, beautiful purple striped flowers along its stems.  I do believe my Mom has that variety and its far prettier than what grows wild here on the farm.

Identify common mallow varieties by the 5 petaled flowers, scalloped leaves with normally 5 lobes and very prominent veins, and once the plant goes to seed, the fruits appear like a cheese wheel, giving common mallow the nickname “cheeseweed.”  

The leaves are similar to that of geraniums.  The good news is, any look alikes to mallow are NOT poisonous so you can safely harvest and consume without worry, even if you don’t get mallow :D

How to Harvest Common Mallow

Harvest unblemished leaves and flowers right after blooming in early morning before the hot sun hits the plant to preserve the natural oils and benefits.  I normally am harvesting mallow leaves and flowers in early June here in Ohio. Be wary of the leaves with orange dots on them, as that is a fungus known as “mallow rust” that affects mallow, geraniums, and hollyhocks… and probably others. It’s not a death sentence, but certainly not desirable to be rubbing on your face.

The leaves and flowers and roots are all edible.  Stems are too but they are quite woody and tough, so I recommend removing the leaves.

Dry the leaves in the sun, in a food dehydrator, or on the counter.  They dry out pretty quickly!  You can eat fresh leaves like spinach.  When harvesting to eat, be sure a harvest right before you’re going to use them as mallow leaves wilt very quickly.  To re-crisp them after harvest, soak in a bath of ice water.

Roots can be dug in the fall once the greens start to die back.  Dig up roots and wash well.  They can be cooked and consumed like potatoes or even dried and tinctured for gastrointestinal and liver support.

Now, let’s make some mallow face toner!

Equipment You Might Want

• 2 oz Amber glass spray bottle
• Pint Glass Jar
• Fine Mesh Strainer

Ingredients

• 3 Tbs dried mallow leaves & flowers
• 1 Tbs dried rose hips
• 2 oz boiling water
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 1 oz raw apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)

Step 1:  Make the Herbal Tea

Start by measuring out dried mallow leaves & flowers and rose hips and add them to a glass jar.  Pour over 2 ounces boiling water.  

Allow herbs to steep in the water at least 10 minutes or up to 48 hours in the refrigerator.

Strain the water from the herbs into a clean jar.

Step 2:  Assemble the Toner

To the jar with the mallow tea, add the witch hazel, raw apple cider vinegar, and frankincense essential oil.

Mix well.

Step 3:  Store

Add mixture to spray bottle(s) and store in the refrigerator for several weeks.  I would not recommend storing this on the shelf without a preservative, which I don’t want to use for this toner.  I find having it cold, especially in the summer is quite refreshing.

To use:

Spritz all over face and neck liberally.  You can also apply to a cotton swab and then wipe onto skin as well.  Let dry completely before using tallow moisturizer.

Notes:

You can add any herbs you would like for your skin!  The mallow soothes and softens skin while the rose hips add natural vitamin C.  Other great options would be basil, calendula, lavender, and comfrey!

Check out some of my herbal remedies & recipes HERE!