Lavatera trimestris, known as tree mallow or rose mallow is a species of flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region and this plant is rich in phenolic acid derivatives and flavonoids. Besides the beneficial effects of the plant, phenolic metabolites (polyphenols) contains also a series of biological properties that influence on human health. People can have benefits from the phenolics plant using it either like a supplement or through the skin application.
The most important properties of polyphenols are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Those three mentioned properties constitute the main potential mechanisms of action against various skin disorders including signs of aging, diseases and injury.
Lavatera trimestris phenolic compounds possess potent antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activity. They act protectively and help prevent or attenuate the progression of minor skin problems such as acne and wrinkles or even some serious problems like psoriasis.
Phenolics also have anti-aging properties. Skin changes are usually the most visible signs of aging. Loss of skin elasticity is manifested mostly as wrinkled, dry and flaccid skin. The appearance of the epidermis is affected by hyperpigmentation or inflammation (age spots). They possess significant potential to inhibit or even completely slow down the signs of aging.
Lavatera trimestris is also reported to be effective in the healing of wounds, including chronic wounds and burns. Phenolic compounds in Lavatera trimetris could potentially affect the acceleration of the healing of burn wounds and protect the wound against bacterial infections. Healing of damaged skin is a complex and dynamic process involving both biochemical and physiological changes. Phenolic antioxidants play an important role in skin tissue repair mechanisms. In acute and chronic wounds, they may accelerate the healing process and promote the proliferation of normal skin cells.
It’s important to know that if we are considering using herbal medicine to treat health conditions we should speak with a qualified health professional first. But the fact is that herbs have a strong health-promoting potential because they promote the induction of the repair mechanisms in a natural way.