Hollyhock (Althaea rosea) is a large herbaceous plant, biennial or perennial, in the Malvaceae family. It fills us with wonder all summer long with its magnificent flowering stems.
A Bit of History
Native to the eastern Mediterranean region, it has been cultivated for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans already appreciated its beauty and used it as an ornamental plant, regarding it as a symbol of fertility and abundance. In the Middle Ages, it was introduced to Europe, where it quickly conquered monastery gardens and other green spaces thanks to its rapid growth and majestic beauty: among other things, it was found on the old stone garden walls of some monasteries, earning it the name of "papal rose"!
It is characterized by an erect, sturdy stem, reaching heights of 1.5 to 3 meters. Its leaves are alternate, palmately lobed and toothed, with a downy appearance. The flowers, solitary or in clusters, are large and funnel-shaped, with rounded petals and varied colors ranging from white to pink, red, yellow, violet and even black. It goes without saying that flowering is a colorful, eye-catching spectacle! The plant is pollinated by insects, and the fruits are circular capsules containing numerous seeds.
The dyes are present in the flower petals, especially in black hollyhocks, which can be used to dye different types of textiles. This plant was once widely used to dye fabrics and clothing.
Cultivation and Harvest
A very sunny exposure is ideal for hollyhocks. It prefers well-drained soils rich enough in organic matter, although limestone soils suit it well, and acidic soils are no problem.
Once well established, hollyhocks need no special attention apart from a good support, as they grow very tall very quickly. It draws the water it needs from the soil and can live in difficult conditions. Simply water it regularly during the first year after planting, but also in spring if there's little rain. For the rest, it's self-sufficient!
It's a good idea to remove spent flowers as you go along, to stimulate the appearance of new ones. Cutting back stems at the end of the season is also beneficial, as they will naturally grow back on their own the following year.
They flower from July to September, so can be harvested throughout this period. The most beautiful and healthiest flowers should be chosen, and harvested in the morning, after the dew has evaporated and before the sun is too strong. To preserve the flowers for later use (as an herbal tea), we recommend cutting them just before they open fully. They can be harvested with or without the calyx.
To dry, flowers can be spread out in a single layer in a ventilated dryer at moderate temperature. Once dried, they can be stored in airtight containers, away from light and humidity, to preserve their properties.
At La Fée des Bois Apothecary, hollyhock is greatly appreciated by all visitors and residents of the farm. It always intrigues visitors to our workshops and garden tours, since most gardeners know it well as an ornamental plant, but are always amazed that it can be used in cooking and as a bowel treatment.
It's also a favorite of many for harvesting... until it exceeds 2 meters in height, at which point harvesting becomes a little more complex. But what could be better than a nice walk in the garden, picking huge flowers of all colors?
Harvesting hollyhocks is definitely one of the farm's less intensive tasks, allowing us to take a little meditative time. It's a harvest that's easy to do with children, who are sure to enjoy it! One of Valentin's first harvests here at the farm. And, what's more, it's very resistant to weeds, so we can use it in more decorative flowerbeds!
I highly recommend it for its beauty in the garden!
Properties
Hollyhock flowers are very similar to marshmallow flowers and leaves in terms of their medicinal properties.
Thanks to their mucilage content, they soften, emollient and heal the intestines and digestive mucosa. Recommended in the treatment of intestinal ailments, they can help relieve constipation and soften irritated tissues.
For digestion, they are considered an aperitif.
They have anti-cough and anti-mucus properties : ideal for soothing coughs and reducing the risk of mucus production. They can also be beneficial in cases of bronchitis and flu.
Unlike marshmallow, only black hollyhock and mallow contain significant amounts of anthocyanins, a distinctive active ingredient with a deep blue/mauve color. Anthocyanins add some very interesting properties to this plant: they are rich in vitamins A and C, and have an antioxidant action. Anthocyanins are natural water-soluble pigments that give red, purple and blue color to many plant products. They are rich in antioxidants and act as protectors for the plant or food against environmental aggressors such as cold, light and pests.
Hollyhock In the Kitchen
Hollyhocks are edible, and their flowers can be eaten:
Definitely in salads ++++!
In a berry or cherry clafoutis.
As a garnish to any dish!
In fact, Nathalie Beaudoin, in her book Des fleurs dans votre assiette, shares a magnificent recipe using hollyhock, which is as good in the mouth as it is beautiful to the eye with all its colors! (A must-have book for tons more ideas on how to incorporate flowers into the kitchen!) :
• When making a blend of herbs for infusion, the different shades of hollyhock make a wonderful eye-catcher, with their hues of yellow, pink, mauve, black and so on. They give a pleasant tint to infusions, especially the black flowers. Try and serve to your guests if you get the chance!
• Don't forget that infusions and flowers can also be used to create unusual beverages that are visually fabulous and tasty, as well as providing some health benefits! Mocktails, cocktails, lemonades, smoothies, iced teas and sparkling waters, flavored to suit the moment, will delight young and old alike!
Contraindications/Precautions/Interactions
Taking in larger quantities: like marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) and due to its appreciable mucilage content, hollyhock should be taken at least two hours before or after taking medication, as it can affect absorption.
Uses and Dosage
Infusion :
One tablespoon dried flowers, infuse for 10 to 15 minutes or longer. Take 1 to 4 cups a day.
Fresh flowers :
Freshly picked, they can be chewed to treat inflammation of the tongue, mouth or throat, or to combat constipation.
Freshly ground, they can be used as a poultice against abscesses, boils and cysts.
Our Herbal Products using Hollyhock
Digestive herbal tea : https://www.herboristerielafeedesbois.com/en/product-page/tisane-digestive
A wonderful herbal tea to enjoy after meals for its digestive properties, or simply for pleasure at any other time of day! With its minty, aniseed taste, it has a delicate bitterness, as well as a hint of sweetness, despite the fact that it contains no sugar!
It promotes and stimulates healthy digestion and reduces inflammation of the digestive tract. It will prevent the formation of gas and, thanks to its antispasmodic action on the intestines, its emolliency and its mucilages, it will calm the inflammation and pain of people living with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or simply inflamed digestive mucosa.
Discover the hollyhock at our farm plant sale every weekend in May! Many on-site activities and workshops await you! https://www.herboristerielafeedesbois.com/ventes-de-plantes
