Hollyhock
OTHER NAME(S): Alcée Rose, Althea Rose, Common Hollyhock, Hollyhock Flower, Malva Flower, Malvae Arboreae Flos, Passerose, Rose Mallow, Rose de Mer, Rose Papale, Rose Trémière, Alcea rosea, Althaea rosea, Althaea ficifolia, Malva, Malva, Rose Trémière
Overview
Hollyhock is a plant. The seed, root, stem, leaf, and flower are used as medicine.
Hollyhock is used for pain, stomach ulcers, wound healing, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
There isn't enough information to know how hollyhock might work.
There isn't enough information to know how hollyhock might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A mild form of gum disease (gingivitis).
- Bed sores (pressure ulcers).
- Bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
- Foot sores in people with diabetes.
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
- Kidney stones.
- Leg sores caused by weak blood circulation (venous leg ulcer).
- Minor bleeding.
- Pain.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of hollyhock for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hollyhock is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hollyhock is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hollyhock is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hollyhock is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hollyhock is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes: Hollyhock might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use hollyhock.
Surgery: Hollyhock might lower blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking hollyhock at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with HollyhockHollyhock might lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking hollyhock along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of hollyhock depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for hollyhock. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Lust J. The herb book. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1999.
- Abdel-Salam NA, Ghazy NM, Sallam SM, et al. Flavonoids of Alcea rosea L. and their immune stimulant, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG-2 cell line. Nat Prod Res 2018;32(6):702-6.
- Zhang Y, Jin L, Chen Q, et al. Hypoglycemic activity evaluation and chemical study on hollyhock flowers. Fitoterapia 2015;102:7-14.