Hollyhock: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

The botanical name of hollyhock is Alcea rosea or Althaea rosea. It is also known as garden poplar rose, garden hollyhock, hollyhock mallow and peasant rose and belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae). Among other uses, it is used as an ornamental and dyeing plant, although it also plays a role in herbal medicine.

Occurrence and cultivation of hollyhock

The common hollyhock is a popular ornamental plant in domestic gardens. It is used in cottage and perennial gardens and is commercially available in a variety of colors. Vernacular names, in addition to the above, include black mallow, winter rose, farmer’s marshmallow and rose marshmallow. The English name of the hollyhock is Hollyhock. The common hollyhock is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant species. Its maximum height of growth is three meters, although it usually grows at least one meter high. In most cases, it grows to be as tall as a man. The above-surface parts of the plant have stellate hairs, and the stem of the hollyhock is erect, sturdy, and has dense, rough hairs. In addition, it is hardly branched. The foliage leaves of the plant divide into stipules, leaf blade and petiole and form in a rosette of leaves in the first year. In the second year they are found distributed on the stem. The stipules of the hollyhock come to a length of eight millimeters. They are ovate and trilobate, with the stem having stellate hairs and growing up to 15 centimeters long. The tomentose to woolly leaf blade has a circular shape and its diameter reaches dimensions of up to 16 centimeters. In some cases it is notched. The flowers appear in a spike-like inflorescence and are composed into leaf axils, while the bracts are similar to the foliage leaves. The flowers of the hollyhock are radially symmetrical and hermaphroditic, and their outer calyx is cup-shaped. The corolla of the flowers can reach a diameter of 10 centimeters. The most common colors of flowers are pink and purple. Black-red or white and yellow colorations are also possible. The common hollyhock is pollinated especially by bumblebees. The chromosome number is 2n = 42. Its origin is not known for sure. It probably originates from southern Italy or the Balkan region. Probably it is a cultivated hybrid. When and how it came to Germany and from when it was used as an ornamental plant is also unknown.

Effect and application

The common hollyhock is a popular ornamental plant in domestic gardens. It is used in cottage and perennial gardens and is commercially available in a variety of colors. The petals of the black and red variety contain a large amount of anthocyanin, which serves as a dye and is extracted from the hollyhock. In earlier times, this was used to color desserts, food, textiles and various types of alcohol. The color achieved is between gray and blue-violet. Red tones are also possible. Today, however, the common hollyhock no longer plays a role in the dyeing industry. In herbal medicine, mainly the roots, leaves and flowers are used. The hollyhock contains tannic acid, essential oils and mucilage. The ingredients are effective for various ailments. Thus, the hollyhock is related to the mallow and the hibiscus, among others, and has similar healing effects. Especially in the respiratory system, it is used as a mucilage drug. It can be used both internally and externally. For internal use, a tea made from hollyhock flowers is recommended. For this purpose, a cold extract should be used so as not to destroy the mucilage. The seeds of the plant can also serve as a remedy. In external use, the tea is used in washes and compresses as a remedy for skin problems. In addition, sitz baths are also possible, which can be used, among other things, for women’s complaints.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention.

The hollyhock is antispasmodic and diuretic. For this reason, it can help flush inflammation from the body in urinary tract disorders. It is anti-inflammatory and emollient. In many cases it is used for colds, against cough and phlegm. It helps against sore throat, bronchitis and flu. It can also be used for colds with fever and inflammation of the vocal cords. In herbal medicine, it also shows a whole range of positive effects in various types of infections.These include, as already mentioned, skin inflammations of various kinds, but also infections in the oral cavity. Inflammations of the mouth, throat and neck can be treated with hollyhock tea. It relieves the symptoms and is soothing. In addition, hollyhock is also used for women’s problems. It is menstrual stimulant and – applied as a sitz bath – can also help against white flow. In case of loss of appetite the use of the medicinal plant is possible as well as in case of different ulcers. However, a doctor should always be consulted in case of severe complaints. The same applies to long-lasting complaints that exceed a duration of seven days. In some cases it makes sense to take hollyhock only as a supplement to other medications, although here too any interactions must be clarified beforehand. Especially in the case of medicinal plants, mutual interference is possible. Hollyhock tea can be used for gargling, and the root is used for digestive problems. Thus, it helps with diarrhea as well as with other stomach or intestinal complaints. It soothes the stomach and relieves pain. In addition to the root, the seeds are also used for fever and loss of appetite. If the tea is used for poultices, hollyhock is able to improve minor burns and can also be used for wounds.