Old-Fashioned Hollyhock: Althaea rosea nigra

1225–75; ME holihoc, equiv. to holi HOLY + HOC mallow, OE hocc

Althaea rosea has now become known in the genus Alcea. Genus Althaea / Alcea, family Malvaceae Named by Linnaeus, who used both Alcea (Latin) and Althea (Greek) from the Greek word meaning 'to cure'. Often said to have first reached Europe in the 16th century. It was used as a medicinal and also a culinary herb. Hollyhocks are among the oldest cultivated plants.
http://www.wuvie.net/hocktrivia.htm

The Hollyhocks have spouted and should be ready for transplant this time next week. In Hoodoo, Hollyhock is classified under the broader category of "Althaea," which includes Althaea officinalis (mallow or marsh mallow), Althaea syriaca (rose of sharon), Althaea rosea (common hollyhock), Althaea rosea-sinensis Althaea zebrina, and other members of the Malvaceae (or mallow family).

While magickally these plants are fairly interchangeable, they should be specified by their proper Latin name when used medicinally to avoid confusion. Old-fashioned Hollyhock (Althaea rosea nigra) is similar to Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) in its medicinal uses: flowers free of the calyx are used as a demulcent, emollient, and diuretic. They were also used to color herbal teas in the 17th century Europe.

Antiinflammatory; Astringent; Demulcent; Diuretic; Emollient; Febrifuge. The flowers are demulcent, diuretic and emollient[4, 21]. They are useful in the treatment of chest complaints[4], and a decoction is used to improve blood circulation, for the treatment of constipation, dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhage etc [218]. The flowers are harvested when they are open and are dried for later use [238].

The shoots are used to ease a difficult labour [218].

The root is astringent and demulcent [240]. It is crushed and applied as a poultice to ulcers[218]. Internally, it is used in the treatment of dysentery [240].

The roots and the flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are said to have a sweet, acrid taste and a neutral potency [241]. They are used in the treatment of inflammations of the kidneys/womb, vaginal/seminal discharge, and the roots on their own are used to treat loss of appetite [241].

The seed is demulcent, diuretic and febrifuge [240].
- M. Grieve A Modern Herbal


Althaea leaves worn in the shoe will lead you to buried treasure, thus they are one of the few commonly-found substitutes for the very rare Gall of the Earth.

Keep Althaea leaf or root in a jar next to a bowl of water where you burn your candles and helpful spirits will be drawn to you. Burn with Myrrh, Frankincense, Copal, or Benzoin to bring forth benevolent entities.

Carry Althaea leaf, Star Anise, and Angelica Root in a white flannel mojo dressed with Psychic Vision Oil, and unseen hands will protect you from evil, illness, and sorrow.

-Hoodoo Herb & Root Magic, cathrine yronwode