This was the photo I shared on instagram today, its some hollyhock leaves and flowers. I am making a cold infusion with them to help with all of the irritation from our smoky air. It is that season, fire season. I've lived in the west most of my life and have endured fire season for all that time. Every year I hide indoors, seeking air conditioning and wishing the fires and smoke away.
I had not ever thought of enjoying my hollyhocks for anything other then their beauty but then yesterday a friend and herbalist stoped by to drop off a couple herbal preparations I bought from her and she said, "you are so lucky to have all this hollyhock to support you and your family right now". It turns out holly hock is in the marshmallow family (nope not those kind of marshmallows)! It is soothing and helps create a barrier to protect you from the irritation of mucus.
When we bought our house the backyard had been bulldozed to put in new septic lines so it was mostly dirt, and lots of it. But in one corner, just outside my bedroom window there were the tallest, prettiest hollyhocks growing. The kids all immediately stated this must be the right house because it had hollyhocks just like Grandma's house. Every year I smile when they grow tall thinking about my kids and how their minds work and who they hold dear.
HERE is a great primer on hollyhock as an herb.
Is it odd that it was exactly two years ago today that I posted last? I think I might have a quarantine inspired blog revival...
