Shu Gui Hua

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Alcea rosea L.

Family: Malvaceae Genus: Alcea Species: rosea Pinyin: Shu Gui Hua

Synonyms: Althaea rosea (L.) Cav., Althaea ficifolia auct.

Hollyhock Flower Marshmallow

☯ TCM Properties

Category: clearing heat

Temperature: neutral

Taste: sweet, salty

Meridians: lung, large intestine, bladder

Functions:

Moistens the skin, astringes, protects mucous membranes, expels Phlegm and alleviates pain; Promotes urination, moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels; Cools Heat, reduces inflammation and detoxifies; Activates the Blood in the Lower Jiao

Traditional Chinese Uses

Shu Gui Hua (蜀葵花), the flower of Althaea rosea, is a minor folk medicinal traditionally regarded as sweet and cooling. It clears Heat, cools the Blood, and promotes urination to unblock painful or bloody urinary dribbling (lin syndrome). Its rich mucilage makes it demulcent and emollient, moistening the Intestines to ease constipation and soothing inflamed mucous membranes of the throat and mouth; it is also used to transform Phlegm in chest complaints.

By activating the Blood in the Lower Jiao it is applied for dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding and leukorrhea. Externally, the flowers are used on burns, sores and skin irritation. It is a supplementary remedy rather than a mainstream classical herb, typically taken as a decoction or tea.

Western Herbalism Properties

Actions:

carminative

Botanical Description

Shu Gui Hua (蜀葵花) is the flower of the hollyhock, Alcea rosea L. (Malvaceae; syn. Althaea rosea (L.) Cav.), a tall biennial or short-lived perennial 1.5-2.5 m high, long cultivated in China. The stout, erect, hairy stem carries large, rounded, palmately 5-7-lobed leaves. Along the upper stem sit showy, short-stalked, solitary flowers 6-10 cm across, single or double, with five broad notched petals in red, pink, purple, white or yellow around a central column of fused stamens. The flowers are gathered in summer as they open and dried. Sweet and cool, they moisten and cool, disperse heat, promote urination, loosen the bowels and regulate menstruation.

Habitat:

Cultivated in gardens and field margins; a hardy ornamental of warm-temperate regions, occasionally escaping.

Native Region: China, Southwest Asia

Active Constituents

Mucilage polysaccharides (galacturonic and glucuronic acid, rhamnose, galactose)

Polysaccharide (mucilage)

Concentration: Major constituent of the flowers, giving the demulcent quality

Form a soothing, protective film over mucous membranes; underlie the traditional use for sore throat, cough and irritated gut and urinary linings.

Anthocyanins (delphinidin and malvidin glycosides; the pigment althaein)

Anthocyanin / flavonoid pigment

Concentration: High in dark-flowered varieties (e.g. Alcea rosea var. nigra)

Provide the deep flower colour and strong antioxidant activity; investigated as natural colourants and free-radical scavengers.

Flavonoids (hypolaetin-8-glucoside, isoquercitrin, kaempferol)

Flavonoid / flavonol glycoside

Concentration: Present in flowers and aerial parts

Contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid)

Phenylpropanoid / phenolic acid

Concentration: Common phenolics of the flowers

Add to the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of the extract.

Tannins

Polyphenol (tannin)

Concentration: Present in flowers and other parts

Provide mild astringent and antimicrobial action supporting topical and mucosal uses.

Coumarins (scopoletin) and phytosterols

Coumarin / phytosterol

Concentration: Minor constituents

Minor contributors to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile of the plant.

⚠ Drug Interactions

Oral medications taken concurrently

Minor Evidence: Theoretical

The high mucilage content can coat the gut lining and theoretically slow or reduce the absorption of drugs taken at the same time, as with other mucilaginous demulcent herbs.

Clinical note: Separate ingestion of the herb from important oral medications by about 1-2 hours as a precaution.

Dosage

Form	Amount	Frequency	Duration	Population	Notes
decoction	6-15g	Daily	—	—	—

Preparation Methods

Infusion / decoction of flowers (internal)

Parts: flower

Roughly 3-9 g of dried flowers infused or gently decocted in water as a demulcent tea to soothe cough, sore throat and irritation of the gut and urinary tract.

External wash / poultice

Parts: flower, whole plant

A flower infusion is used as a soothing wash for inflamed or irritated skin; softened flowers may be applied topically.

Historical Texts

Jia You Ben Cao (Jiayou Materia Medica)

Northern Song dynasty (1060)

Shu Kui (蜀葵), the hollyhock, is recorded among the medicinal plants, its flowers and other parts used to cool Heat, moisten and promote urination.

Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen

Ming dynasty (1578)

Describes Shu Kui flowers, seeds and root, noting cooling, moistening and diuretic actions and use for the skin and for unblocking the bowels and urine.

References

Sadighara P, et al.. Effect of drying methods on mucilage, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity of black hollyhock (Alcea rosea var. nigra) . BMC Plant Biology (2025) [DOI]

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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