Abelmoschus moschatus, Musk Mallow

Latakasturi, Katuka, Kataphala (Ayurveda)
So ma ra dza (Tibetan)
Mushkdana (Unani)
Huang Kui (TCM)

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Merian, De metamorphosibus insectorum Surinamensium, of te verandering der Surinaamsche insecten, 1714

Botanical name:

Abelmoschus moschatus (syn. Hibiscus moschatus, H. abelmoschatus), A. manihot

Note that in Tibetan Medicine, So ma ra dza also refers to Psoralea. The latter is specifically used in formulas for chronic skin conditions.

Parts used:

Seed

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Pungent

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Toxin:

-burning Fever, Flu
-Skin diseases with pus and itching (Tibetan Medicine)
-Snake bite

2. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:

-Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma

3. Clears Heat, Loosen the Bowels:

-Dysentery, Constipation
-Vomiting; Spleen disorders (Charaka)
-loss of appetite
-seeds are chewed to sweeten the breath

4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:

-Dysuria; painful or obstructed Urine; urinary discharge
-Spermaturia
-Venereal Diseases
-Leukorrhea

5. Benefits the Kidneys:

-Diabetes, Arthritis (Tibetan Medicine)
-Aphrodisiac

6. Clears Heat, Calms the Mind and Nerves:

-hysteria and nervous disorders from Wind and Heat
-antispasmodic; given for Cramps

7. Externally:

-Abscess with pus, toxin swellings
-burns and scalds
-Fractures
-diseases, sores, ulcers of the mouth (as a mouthwash)
-used in oils to clear heat and inflammation

Dose:

Seed Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitute:

1. Abutilon theophrastii has been listed as substitutes.
2. Psoralea is also called So ma ra dza, and while they are not synonymous, in some cases, Psoralea could be used. In Chinese versions of Tibetan formulas that contain So ma ra dza, Psoralea is sometimes used in its place.
3. Cannabis seed
4. Musk Mallow seed is regarded as a substitute for Cinnamon in Unani, meaning Cinnamon could probably be used as a substitute.

Comment:

1. The seeds have an aroma of Musk and have been called Grani Moschi. They have been used in place of Musk.
2. Arabs flavored their coffee with the seeds.

Main Combinations:

1. With Triphala, Costus, Frankincense for Joint disease

Major Formulas:

Frankincense 10 (Spos dkar 10) (Tibetan Medicine)

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:

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