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Common Mallow
Sometimes I can't think of the right word. It happens to you too? For no apparent reason and with absolutely no warning at all a single word wanders astray climbing out of the window and slipping stealthily down the drainpipe to run off and play on its own somewhere. It wouldn't be so bad if it left a note or told some of the other words where it was going or how long it may be. Words should know better than to act so irresponsibly. Don't they realise that they could be called upon at any time and the sudden discovery of their mischievous absence just puts more pressure on their fellow words that have kept to their duty and station?
Anyway when it happens I do this ******* and come back later when the word has finally crept sulkily back into its allotted space in my insecure and indisciplined mental dictionary. Today it happened amongst some thoughts of Mallow. It looks, well, *******. I know its sort of pinky and purple but what about the stripy bits? What is it about the stripy bits? I can't think of the word.
I can remember everything else I need about Mallow. Common Mallow or Malvus Sylvestris, for those that like a lot of words, is everywhere at the moment. It is a soothing plant, protecting and reducing inflammation particularly in conditions involving the skin, respiratory system or intestines. Think of Mallow or its pretty cousin Marshmallow when you need to calm and soothe irritated itchy skin or for painful burning sensations associated with conditions such as cystitis.
Poultices are infrequently used nowadays but they are so effective. Use the leaves or flowers in this way. You will be amazed at how quickly the pain and redness subsides. The leaves and flowers can be taken as a tea to soothe irritation or for treating coughs and colds. For years people gave Common Mallow or Marshmallow root to young children to ease the distress of teething. So, think soothing when you see Common Mallow.
Other than its obvious medicinal talent the leaves are packed with vitamins so while we have it in such abundance why not harvest some for yourself? You could boil the leaves up as a vegetable and eat them with a bit of butter or if you really want to treat yourself how about a healthy bowl of Mallow soup? Three or four handfuls of leaves, a bit of olive oil, maybe some onion and garlic, and perhaps the exotic addition of something like chopped coriander.
Meanwhile though where has that word got to? Normally after just a short time it leaps back into play as if it had never been away and I might exclaim 'Of course!' or 'Thats it!', or something warmer. I can then pop the truant back into the sentence where it should have been all the time and hope that all was well and you hadn't noticed - but not today, not at all. Take a look at some Mallow flowers for me. Particularly the stripy bits. Please help rescue me. What is it about Mallow with its flowers that are just a little bit ******* ?
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