Malva sylvestris - 20 Purple and White Zebra and similar items

This listing is for 20 Malva sylvestris - Purple and White Zebra Hollyhock Seeds This plant has a long history of use in herbal medicine as a wild food source. All parts, flowers, leaves, stems and roots are used for food and medicine. The leaves are a mild laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory with soothing demulcent and expectorant properties than help to clear mucus from the body. In 16th century Europe it was said "to sooth whatever ails you" and was extensively cultivated and eaten as a leaf vegetable in pre-Han dynasty China. Mallow was favored by the Romans, a dish of marsh mallow was one of their delicacies. Pliny the Elder suggested that the use of mallow juice daily prevented any type of illness. Mallow was brought to the Americas and much of the world by early European settlers. Malva grows well in unattended poor soils making it a survival food in times of famine. A defining characteristics of the Malva genus are the nutlets and sesame flavored chewy seeds also called cheeses, due to their shape. The mucilage found in Malva sylvestris is very valuable for its various medicinal uses, and this flower has been in use since ancient times. Flowers and leaves of this unique herb are used for medicinal purposes, including in an essential oil extract that can have some powerful effects on the body. The leaves can also be steeped in a tea, the seeds can be eaten, and those leaves that aren’t afflicted by any rust disease (a common issue for the species) can also be consumed or applied topically for a wide variety of benefits in the form of poultices. The oils are a popular application in face masks or topical headache remedies. Malva sylvestris can also boost the immune system by preventing bacterial infections and other foreign agents to affect those wounded areas. If you have experienced any insect bites, large bruises, sunburn, or rashes on your skin, a gel or poultice made of Malva sylvestris can be very effective for reducing inflammation and swelling while stimulating rapid healing. Use the essential oil on joints and aches. If you are suffering from any chest congestion or a respiratory condition, then using Malva sylvestris is a great idea. Not only can it increase expectoration, which can clear out the respiratory tracts, but it also soothes the throat and glands due to its anti-inflammatory aspects, while also promoting healing and more rapid recovery. Worried about aging too quickly - use a gel or cream with mallow as an ingredient and keep your skin looking young and rejuvenated! Many people struggle to fall asleep, but you can turn to the use of Malva sylvestris essential oil or a relaxing cup of mallow tea to relax the mind and body, letting you drift off into relaxing, restful sleep. Mallow leaves can be eaten raw or steamed and are quite high in minerals and some vitamins. The older leaves can be juiced and added to green smoothies, while the tender young leaves are best chopped up into salads and are quite tasty. A bag of mallow leaves will last you a long time when kept cold in the refrigerator, just like any leafy green vegetable. For large harvests, sometimes plastic salad mix containers will provide good storage for later use. The real magic of the mallow plant, however, comes from its beneficial polysaccharide and antioxidant compounds including phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, tocopherols and ALA fatty acids, all of which contribute to its world renowned properties as a gastrointestinal and anti-inflammatory herb. Malva leaves are demulcent in nature and contain a beneficial mucilaginous polysaccharide that helps to sooth and coat the entire gastrointestinal tract forming a protective film. Malva also provides relief when recovering from urinary tract infections. As with some other superfoods, like aloe vera, the effects of the polysaccharide-rich gel are furthermore exceptional for relieving and healing conditions like peptic ulcers or ulcerative colitis. According to one 2012 study published in The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, "The leaves in particular have been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-complementary, anticancer and skin tissue integrity activity. Additionally, an anti-ulcerogenic effect was recently proven, demonstrating that the aqueous extract was more effective than cimetidine, a potent medicine used to treat gastric ulcers." Amazing plant to have around! We love it here and think you will too! Thank you for looking! -Botanist Dave