A plant record

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea · Malvaceae

EnglishHollyhock

FrançaisRose trémière

BotanicalAlcea rosea

Also known asAlthaea rosea

FamilyMalvaceae

Hollyhock — Alcea rosea, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

Hollyhock flowers — a gentle demulcent, rich in soothing mucilage. An infusion of the flowers (a spoonful or two per cup, one to three cups a day) is taken for cough, chest catarrh, and the irritation of bronchitis, and used as a gargle to calm an inflamed throat. It coats and soothes rather than cures; unremarkable and well tolerated.

In three languages

Français — Fleurs de rose trémière — un émollient doux, riche en mucilages apaisants. Une infusion des fleurs (une à deux cuillères par tasse, une à trois tasses par jour) se prend contre la toux, le catarrhe de la poitrine et l'irritation de la bronchite, et s'emploie en gargarisme pour calmer une gorge enflammée. Elle enrobe et adoucit plus qu'elle ne guérit ; sans particularité et bien tolérée.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

European phytotherapy; mucilage pharmacology

Kept alongside

Common MallowCommon wireweedHeartleaf sidaSea hibiscusDwarf mallow

More on Haitian plant medicine