The ancient plant known as hollyhock (Alcea rosea) has been utilized for many therapeutic reasons for a very long time. Since the blooms, roots, leaves, and other parts are all edible. Thus, during the middle Ages, this herb gained immense popularity. In the fifteenth century, a herbalist named Hollyhock gave it a name. The vivid hues of Alcea rosea flowers make them more popular than other components of the plant.
Alcea rosea is a popular plant to grow in gardens. Not only are they beautiful, but they also have a wealth of medicinal qualities that can be used to cure a wide range of illnesses. Other names for it are peony and common mellow.
Description
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is self-seeding herbaceous blooming plants that can form plant colonies that come back to the yard year after year. They are rarely found in “the wild” and are usually found in farmed regions. Although its initial habitat is unknown, the plant is most likely a Turkish cultigen.
Botanical Name:
Alcea rosea
Family:
Malvaceae
Leaves:
The leaves are up to 8 inches long and wide, with crenate margins and palmate lobed edges. Every leaf blade has an indentation at the base and an oval orbicular shape.
Flowers:
Each flower spans about 3-5″ when it is fully open. Usually, the overlapping petals are a shade of purplish red, pink, or white. The ovate, light green sepals are somewhat smaller than the petals.
Habitat:
Ideal for sandy, medium, and heavy soil types (clay, loamy). Acidic, neutral, and basic (alkaline) soils are suitable pH values. Grows in full sun in ordinary, well-drained soil with medium moisture content though it’s thought of as a biennial or short-lived perennial, you may treat it nearly as a long-lived perennial because it reseeds so readily.
Parts Used:
- Seed
- Root
- Stem
- Leaf
- Flower
Chemical Constituents
Large amounts of polysaccharides (5), flavonoids (mainly derivatives of kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, and myricetin (6)), anthocyanidins (primarily derivatives of delphinidin (7), and an unidentified substance with estrogenic activity) are present in hollyhock flowers.
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Common Name
Hollyhock, Hollyhocks
Medicinal Properties of Alcea rosea
- Demulcent
- Diuretic
- Emollient
- Anti-inflammatory
- Febrifuge
- Digestive
- Decongestant
- Anti rheumatic
- Analgesic
- Antibacterial
- Antimicrobial
- Healing
- Antipyretic
- Antispasmodic
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Care
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are said to require a fair amount of upkeep. This is a tall, rapidly growing plant that requires wind protection and occasional leaf trimming. But growth is easy, and little fertilizer is needed.
Soil and Water:
Hollyhocks are adaptable to many types of soil. The best location is one with well-drained soil, but hollyhocks can also grow in clay. These enormous blooms may thrive in soil that is acidic, neutral, or alkaline, thus pH isn’t a big deal. Be careful not to get wet winter soil.
Fertilizer:
A slow-release fertilizer applied to the soil when hollyhock is first planted can help it flourish. You should not need to fertilize the plant after it reaches maturity, however it is still OK to do so.
Light:
Hollyhocks can thrive in mild shade or partial sun, however full sun is ideal. Plants with lots of sunshine are less spindly and are less likely to become sick.
Pruning:
Remove any dead or decaying foliage during the growing season, especially rust-infected leaves. You can trim the hollyhock spikes to the ground once the flowers have flowered past their peak.
Types of Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
- ‘Chater’s Double’ Hollyhock
- ‘Creme de Cassis’ Hollyhock
- ‘Indian Spring’ Hollyhock
- ‘Old Barnyard Mix’ Hollyhock
- ‘Peaches ‘n Dreams’ Hollyhock
- ‘The Watchman’ Hollyhock
Other Language Names of Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
French name – Rose trémière
Spanish name – Malva real
German name – Stockrose
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Malvales |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Alcea |
| Species | Alcea rosea |
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Uses
Rinse & Gargle:
Hollyhock can reduce oral irritation in the same manner as it reduces inflammation in our gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and respiratory systems. Wonderful methods for reducing gum and oral irritation include using hollyhock as a natural mouthwash and rinse.
As an Herbal Wash, Compress, & Poultice:
Use hollyhock as an herbal wash, compress, or poultice to help relieve generalized skin irritation and inflammation.
Soothing Tea:
Herbs that are demulcent, such as hollyhock, form a film over the mucosa they come in contact with, which helps to relieve irritation and inflammation. As a herbal tea, hollyhock can be used to relieve gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and respiratory tract tissue inflammation
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Benefits
Cures fever:
Hollyhock was utilized in the past to treat high fevers. Its antipyretic qualities help to relieve nasal congestion and the symptoms of colds and high fever. The irritation subsides after a cup of hollyhock tea is consumed.
Gastrointestinal ailments:
These herbs have calming, anti-inflammatory qualities that aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues such diarrhea, gastritis, ulcers, and stomach pain.
Heal wounds:
Hollyhock lessens the injury’s swelling and agony. Apply the boiling or softened leaves straight to the wounds. It facilitates a quicker healing process.
Digestive:
Digestive issues are treated with hollyhock roots and leaves. According to study, this herb can be used to treat hiatus hernias, peptic ulcers, mouth ulcers, enteritis, and colitis.
Hair health:
Hollyhock gives hair a glossy, silky texture. It works well as a herbal conditioner to control the dryness in the hair.
Hair dye:
Another great natural hair color that can be manufactured at home is hollyhock. After adding the blue flowers to the boiling water, they should shimmer for ten minutes before being filtered to extract the dye.
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Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Side Effects
Allergic reaction:
Hollyhock allergies may affect certain individuals. As soon as you see any signs of an allergic response, such as swelling, hives, or trouble breathing, stop taking hollyhock and get help from a doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
There is not enough reliable information to know if hollyhock is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it.
Blood sugar levels:
Blood sugar levels may be lowered by hollyhock. For diabetics who already use medicine to reduce their blood sugar, this could be an issue. See your doctor before using hollyhock if you have diabetes.
Conclusion
Hollyhock is used to treat a variety of ailments, including pain, diabetes, wound healing, and stomach ulcers.
FAQS
What are hollyhocks good for?
Medicine is made from the seed, root, stem, leaf, and flower. Numerous ailments, including diabetes, ulcerative stomach syndrome, wound healing, and pain, are treated with hollyhock; however, there isn’t enough reliable scientific data to back up these claims.
What is the purpose of Hollyhock in medicine?
A plant is the hollyhock. A medicinal tea is made from the flower. Hollyhock is used to cure and prevent digestive system issues and respiratory ailments in humans. Some individuals treat severe swelling and ulceration on the skin by immediately applying hollyhock (inflammation).
What adverse consequences might hollyhocks cause?
With its towering stature and vivid blossoms, hollyhocks are a non-toxic plant that will not seriously harm humans if consumed. However, skin inflammation can be a problem. Dermatitis, a disorder marked by itchy rashes, can result from contact with the plant.
What is hollyhocks’ botanical name?
Alcea rosea