Indian mallow

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Indian mallow (Abutilon indicum) is a shrubby plant native to tropical Asia and Africa. Various parts (seeds, leaves, roots) have a history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Traditional applications

Mixed Evidence

Long use in Ayurveda for various complaints; modern controlled human evidence is essentially absent.

How it works

Indian mallow contains flavonoids, fatty acids, sterols, and mucilage. Animal and laboratory studies have suggested anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and analgesic activity, but the active constituents and mechanisms are not fully characterized. Traditional uses include topical application for wounds, oral use for cough and diarrhea, and use for joint complaints.

Dosage

Traditional doses vary widely (1-3 g of powder or 2-4 mL tincture two to three times daily). Standardized modern extracts do not have established dosing.

When and how to take it

Traditional preparations are taken with meals. Topical use is applied to affected areas as needed.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Seed extract

Used in some Ayurvedic preparations.

Contains fatty acids and flavonoids

Leaf and root powder

Traditional preparation.

Variable phytochemical content

Safety

Generally considered well-tolerated in traditional use. Modern controlled safety data are limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. People with diabetes should monitor blood glucose if using.

Interactions

No well-established drug interactions, though hypoglycemic effects suggest caution with diabetes medications.

Frequently asked questions

Is Indian mallow the same as common mallow?⌄

No. Common mallow is Malva sylvestris. Indian mallow is Abutilon indicum, a different plant from the same family.

Does it help with diabetes?⌄

Animal studies suggest possible effects, but human evidence is lacking. Do not replace prescribed treatment.

References

Indian mallow on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Indian mallow on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Indian mallow (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.