Herb & supplement monograph

Hollyhock Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Hollyhock interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Hollyhock is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Hollyhock is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Hollyhock Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Hollyhock drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and every one traces back to a single theoretical concern about blood sugar rather than documented problems in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The only interaction worth real attention involves diabetes medications. Animal and lab studies suggest hollyhock flower extracts might lower blood glucose, so combining it with drugs like glimepiride could, in theory, drive blood sugar lower than expected. This effect has not been studied in people with diabetes, but blood sugar is a closely watched target, so anyone on these medicines should keep an eye on their readings and mention hollyhock to their care team.

What the rest of the list means

The fairly long list of interacting medications can look worrying, but it does not mean each combination is harmful. All of these entries come from the same possible blood-sugar effect, seen only in animal and lab research so far. For most other medicines, there is no evidence that hollyhock changes how they work.

Check your medications against Hollyhock

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Hollyhock interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Hollyhock

86 medications have a known interaction with Hollyhock, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2,830 drugs
AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose› AcetohexamideDymelor› AlbiglutideTanzeum› AlogliptinNesina› Alogliptin, MetforminKazano› Alogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni› Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi› CanagliflozinInvokana› Canagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet› Canagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideInvokamet XR› ChlorpropamideChlorpropam, Diabinese› DapagliflozinFarxiga› Dapagliflozin Propanediol, MetforminXigduo XR› Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQtern› Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQternmet XR› Dasiglucagon HydrochlorideZegalogue› DulaglutideTrulicity› EmpagliflozinJardiance› Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin HydrochlorideTrijardy XR› Empagliflozin, MetforminSynjardy› Empagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSynjardy XR› ErtugliflozinSteglatro› Ertugliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSegluromet› ExenatideBydureon, Byetta› Exenatide SyntheticBydureon BCISE› GliclazideDiamicron› GlimepirideAmaryl› GlipizideGlucotrol, Glucotrol XL› Glipizide, MetforminMetaglip› GlucagonBaqsimi, Glucagon›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Hollyhock combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs Hollyhock affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Hollyhock is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Hollyhock interacts with
Antidiabetes Drugs
Antidiabetes Drugs

Animal and in vitro research shows that hollyhock flower extracts might lower blood glucose levels. While the effect of hollyhock in patients with diabetes has not been studied, theoretically, hollyhock might decrease blood glucose and have additive effects in patients treated with antidiabetes drugs. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications may be necessarily. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monograph

Hollyhock: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Hollyhock is a flowering plant in the mallow family that has been used in traditional medicine, mainly as a soothing (demulcent) remedy for the throat, gut, and skin. Solid human studies are very limited, so its benefits are not well proven. It is generally considered gentle, but you should still talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Scientific name
Alcea rosea
Family
Malvaceae
Part used
Flowers, leaves, and roots
Common forms
Tea, dried flowers, extracts, topical preparations
People commonly use it for
  • Sore throat and cough
  • Digestive upset
  • Soothing irritated skin
  • Mild inflammation
  • Urinary discomfort

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Generally considered gentle, but human safety data are limited.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a tall, flowering plant in the mallow family. It is well known as a garden plant with large, colorful flowers and is grown across many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America.

In traditional medicine, the flowers, leaves, and roots have been used for hundreds of years. Like its relative the marshmallow plant, hollyhock is rich in slippery, gel-like compounds called mucilage. Because of this, it has mostly been used as a soothing remedy for the throat, digestive tract, and skin. It is commonly taken as a tea or used in topical preparations.

Uses & effectiveness

People traditionally use hollyhock for a sore throat, cough, digestive upset, and to soothe irritated skin. It has also been used for mild inflammation and urinary discomfort.

It is important to be honest: high-quality human studies on hollyhock are very limited. Most of what is known comes from traditional use and a small amount of laboratory or animal research. This early research suggests the plant may have soothing and mild antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties, but this does not prove it works for any health condition in people.

Because the evidence is weak, hollyhock should not be used in place of proven treatments. If you have ongoing symptoms, see a healthcare provider.

How it works

Hollyhock contains mucilage, a slippery, water-loving fiber that may form a protective coating over irritated tissues in the throat or gut. This is the main reason it is used as a demulcent (a soothing agent).

The plant also contains plant pigments called anthocyanins and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants in laboratory tests. Some lab studies suggest these compounds may help calm inflammation. However, most of this work is based on test-tube or animal research, and it is not clear how well these effects apply to people.

Safety & precautions

Hollyhock is generally thought to be gentle when used in traditional amounts, such as in a tea. Still, reliable human safety data are limited, so use it with care.

People with allergies to plants in the mallow family may react to hollyhock. Handling the plant can sometimes cause skin irritation in sensitive people.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough safety information for these situations. To be safe, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid hollyhock. Children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions should check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

Side effects

Hollyhock is not associated with many reported side effects, but research is limited. Possible problems include mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction, such as itching, rash, or skin irritation, especially in people sensitive to mallow-family plants.

Stop using it and seek medical care if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.

Dosing

There is no well-established, standardized dose for hollyhock. Traditional use most often involves a tea made from the dried flowers or leaves.

Because products vary in strength and form, the safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before starting hollyhock, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Hollyhock & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Hollyhock & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 1 references that drive our Hollyhock monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Zhang Y, Jin L, Chen Q, et al. Hypoglycemic activity evaluation and chemical study on hollyhock flowers. Fitoterapia 2015;102:7-14. PubMed
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Hollyhock: Common Questions

Does Hollyhock interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 86 medications with a known interaction with Hollyhock. Use the checker above to see how Hollyhock interacts with a specific drug.
How are Hollyhock interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Hollyhock with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Hollyhock interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Hollyhock used for?
It is traditionally used as a soothing remedy for sore throat, cough, digestive upset, and irritated skin. These uses come mainly from tradition, and strong human studies are lacking.
Is Hollyhock safe to take?
It is generally considered gentle in traditional amounts, but reliable human safety data are limited. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have allergies or a medical condition.
Can I use Hollyhock if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
There is not enough safety information, so it is best to avoid Hollyhock during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How is Hollyhock usually taken?
It is most often used as a tea made from the dried flowers or leaves, and is sometimes applied to the skin in topical preparations.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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