Althaea (plant)
Genus of flowering plants
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Species
As of November 2025, Plants of the World Online accepts the nine species. The genus formerly included a number of additional species now treated in the genus Alcea (hollyhocks).
- Althaea armeniaca Ten.
- Althaea bertramii Post & Beauverd
- Althaea cannabina L.
- Althaea hiri Parsa
- Althaea officinalis L.
- Althaea oppenheimii Ulbr.
- Althaea × pavisii Guétrot
- Althaea taurinensis DC.
- Althaea villosa Blatt.
- Althaea vranjensis Diklić & V.Nikolić
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Chemical constituents
The root contains starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, and asparagine.
Uses
The traditional medicinal uses of the plant are reflected in the name of the genus, which comes from the Greek althainein, meaning "to heal".
The flowers and young leaves can be eaten, and are often added to salads or are boiled and fried. The roots and stem also secrete mucilage, which is used to soften the skin, and is used in cosmetic treatments.
The Roman poet Horace refers to his own diet in his Odes, which he describes as very simple: "As for me, olives, endives, and smooth mallows provide sustenance."
The root has been used since Egyptian antiquity in a honey-sweetened confection useful in the treatment of sore throat.
The root's emulsifying property is used for cleaning Persian carpets in the Middle East. It is regarded as the best method to preserve the vibrancy of vegetable dyes used in coloring the carpet's wool.