BOTANICAL NAME- Hibiscus abelmoschus Linn.
FAMILY- Malvaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/300
NAMES IN DIFFERENT INDIAN LANGUAGES-
English → Musk mallow
Hindi → Mushkdana
Kannada → Kasturi bende
Malayalam → Kasturi venta
Marathi → Kasturibhenda
SYNONYMS- Dakshindanshaj, gandhpur, katuka
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO CHARAK AND SUSHRUT-
Caraka- Not included
Suśruta- Not included
MORPHOLOGY-
Leaves: Heart-shaped, 5–7 lobed, hairy.
– Flowers:Yellow with purple centers, Hibiscus-like.
– Fruit:Capsule with musk-scented seeds.
– Seeds:Kidney-shaped, grayish-brown, musky aroma.
Seeds are having volatile oil which consists of farnesol-a ketone ambrettilide a lactone of
ambretteolic acid. Seeds contain moisture 11.4%, protein 2.3%, starch 13.35 %, fibres 31.46%, fixed
oil 14.5%, volatile 0.2-0.6%, a resin and bitter substance.
PROPERTIES–
Rasa- Tikta, Madhura, Katu
Guna- Laghu, Ruksa, Tiksna
Vipäka- Katu
Virya- Sita
KARMA- Pitta kapha samaka, Vrisya, Chakṣuşya, Chedana, Triṣṇāhara, Mukharoganataka
Aphrodisiac, Digestive, Expecotorant
INDICATIONS–
Sukradourbalya, Dhawajabhanga, Netraroga, Śwasa, Käsa, Trişna and Mukharoga
PART USED– Seed
DOSAGE- Curna (Seed Powder)- 1 to 3 g
IMPORTANT YOGAS OR FORMULATIONS-
Kasturyadi Gutikā, Manasamitra Gutikā, Brahmi Vati, Bala Taila
Amayika Prayoga (Therapeutic Uses)
External Uses:
– Perfumery: Seed oil used in attars.
– Skin care:Paste for acne and scars.
Internal Uses:
– Digestive disorders: Seed powder with honey.
– Sexual debility: Milk decoction with Ashwagandha.
IUCN:
Least Concern (LC)
Research Updates
- 2023: journal of Essential Oil Research – Confirmed anti-anxiety effects of seed oil.
- 2022:Phytotherapy Research – Reported spermatogenic activity in rats.
- 2021: Industrial Crops & Products – Highlighted use in *cosmetic preservatives.
