Indian and Arabic perfume makers very much appreciate the abelmosk seeds, and the Arabs also use this plant as an aphrodisiac. When rubbed or heated, the abelmosk seeds give an intense aroma that resembles amber and musk. In some Central American locations, these seeds are added to coffee to give it more fragrance.
Abelmosk Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name – Hibiscus Abelmoschus L.
- French – Ambrette.
- Spanish – Abelmosco.
- Environment – Native to India, it frequently grows in tropical areas of Central America and is cultivated in Guyana and West Indies.
- Description – Shrub of the Malvaceae family, which grows up to two meters high, with unequally lobulated leaves and abundant, exuberant, yellow or red flowers containing kidney-shaped seeds with greyish mark lines.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally – The seeds.
Abelmosk Healing Properties
The seeds of this plant contain essential oil with a robust antispasmodic effect, which can relax the muscles of internal cavernous organs when suffering from spasms. Therefore, they ease the pain of intestine, bile, or kidney colic and uterine spasms of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). They also have a sedative effect on the nervous system.
Rose of China
The rose of China or the hibiscus (Hibiscus rosasinensis L.) is an ornamental shrub similar to the abelmosk. Its red flowers have astringent properties, used in the form of infusion to ease a sore throat and in eye washings.
How to use Abelmosk
- Infusion with 50 grams of seeds per liter of water. Drink two or three cups daily.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 363. Print.
