HIGH MALLOW

                                                  HIGH MALLOW

                                       (Malva sylvestris (Khubzi) Linn.)

       High Mallow is the dried leaf and flowers of Malva sylvestris Linn. (Malvaceae), grows wildy in Europe, mainly in the damp area of the atlantic seabord.

       It is a tall perennial herb with lobate and dentate leaves. The flowers are pentamerous and include calyculus with 6-9 divisions fused at the base and shorter than the calyx; the corolla has five pinkish-white petals emarginated at the top. The stamens are numerous and fused by their filaments.

Chemical constituents:

       The leaf and flower contains flavonoids (anthocyanins), phenolic acids, scopoletin and polysaccharides.

Cosmetic uses:

Leaf and flower extracts are used in cosmetic preparations as ajjunctive emollient and for itch relieving treatment of dermatological conditions, protective trophic  in the treatment of cracks, chaps and insects bites. It also has traditional use as local applicant for eye irritation or discomfort due to smoky atmosphere and sea water.