- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- East Asia, especially China
- Other names
- Kranskaasjeskruid
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 711
Malva verticillata (ook Abutilon theophrasti)
Herb · Asia
Mallow seed (dong kui zi)
Malva verticillata (ook Abutilon theophrasti)
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing and diuretic in painful urination and stones; promotes milk flow.
Safety notes
Not during pregnancy or for diarrhoea from spleen deficiency. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Seed. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that drain dampness'. Dong kui zi is used for difficult urination, oedema and a blocked milk duct. Whorled mallow was an important vegetable in ancient China, mentioned in the Shijing.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, cold
- Meridians
- bladder, large and small intestine
Attributed effects
For hot, painful urination and bladder gravel (especially together with constipation), too little breast milk or painful, engorged breasts and a dry bowel.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–15 g a day, usually in a decoction. Comparable to marshmallow root: soothing for mucous membranes.
Combinations
- With plantain seed, lygodium spores and talc for painful urination with blood
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction