Hollyhock (Althaea rosea) is a species of flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. This plant is renowned for its tall, elegant flower spikes and vibrant blooms, which can range in color from pink to red, white, and purple. Althaea rosea is often used in ornamental gardens and has historical significance in traditional medicine.

Botanical Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Althaea
Species: Althaea rosea

Plant Characteristics:
Althaea rosea is characterized by:

Habit: It is a biennial or short-lived perennial plant, growing up to 1.5 to 2.5 meters tall. It forms a rosette of large, lobed leaves at the base and a tall flowering spike.
Leaves: The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and deeply lobed, with a rough texture.
Flowers: The flowers are large, showy, and funnel-shaped, arranged in dense spikes. They can be single or double and come in various colors including pink, red, white, and purple.
Fruit: The fruit is a dry capsule that splits open when mature to release the seeds.
Growth Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of a range of soil types but thrives in rich, loamy soils.

Chemical Composition and Structure:
The chemical composition of Althaea rosea includes:

Mucilage: The plant contains mucilaginous compounds that have soothing properties. These are polysaccharides that form a gel-like substance when hydrated.
Flavonoids: These are antioxidants that contribute to the plant’s color and may offer health benefits.
Saponins: Present in the plant, these compounds have surfactant properties and may have a mild effect on the skin and mucous membranes.
Tannins: These compounds have astringent properties and are present in various parts of the plant.

Uses and Benefits:

Ornamental: Althaea rosea is widely cultivated for its attractive flowers and is used in garden landscapes and floral arrangements.
Medicinal: Traditionally used in herbal medicine for its soothing properties, particularly in treating coughs, sore throats, and digestive issues. The mucilage content is known for its soothing and demulcent effects on the mucous membranes.
Cosmetic: The mucilaginous extract is sometimes used in cosmetic formulations for its hydrating and soothing properties.
Culinary: Young leaves and flowers can be used in salads or as a garnish.

Applications:

Gardening: Popular in ornamental gardens due to its vibrant and attractive flowers. It is used to create vertical interest in garden beds and borders.
Herbal Medicine: Utilized in traditional remedies and herbal teas for its soothing and demulcent effects.
Cosmetics: Incorporated into skincare products for its hydrating and soothing properties, particularly in formulations aimed at sensitive or irritated skin.
Culinary: Young leaves and flowers can be added to dishes for a decorative touch and mild flavor.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Althaea rosea is generally considered environmentally friendly and beneficial for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to gardens.
Safety: The plant is generally safe for use in cosmetics and culinary applications. However, individuals with allergies to plants in the Malvaceae family should exercise caution. Proper handling and preparation are recommended to avoid any potential irritation or allergic reactions.

INCI


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
Synonyms:

CAS: 90045-76-4 EC number 289-940-2