Malva sylvestris is a species of the Mallow genus Malva in the family of Malvaceae and is considered to be the type species for the genus. Known as common mallow to English speaking Europeans, it acquired the common names of cheeses, high mallow and tall mallow (mauve des bois by the French as it migrated from its native home in Western Europe, North Africa and Asia through the English speaking world. M. sylvestris is a vigorously healthy plant with showy flowers of bright mauve-purple, with dark veins; a handsome plant, often standing 3 or 4 feet (1 m) high and growing freely in fields, hedgerows and in fallow fields. Leaves are edible. Leaf or root tea soothing to irritated membranes, especially of digestive system; also used for coughs, bronchitis, stomachaches; anti-inflammatory, laxative, demulcent, mildly astringent. Useful in irritation of the gastrointestinal system. Large doses are gently purgative. Externally may be used as a soothing poultice. Its supposed sedative effect is unproven.
The young leaves when boiled is a wholesome vegetable and was eaten in several parts of Europe however, cattle do not seem to enjoy it and graze around them. Medicinal Mucilage is present in many of the Malvaceae family,especially the fruit and were emp
